Britain Joins European Communities
Britain officially becomes a member of the EU
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1973 in Great Britain
Explore 295 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1973.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1973
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 295 unique records.
295Unique records
1 of 8Page
31Named events on this page
19Named people on this page
6Places on this page
January
European Communities
Welcomes Britain's entry into the European Communities.
European Communities Membership
Britain enters the European Communities under Heath's government.
European Communities Membership
Britain enters the European Communities after long political debate.
Treaty of Accession
Leads Britain when the accession treaty enters into force and European Communities membership begins.
Immigration Debate
Speaks in a Commons immigration debate while remaining one of the country's most prominent advocates of restrictive immigration policy.
Fanfare for Europe
"Fanfare for Europe" celebrations are held to mark Britains entry into the EU
February
Immigration Rules Debate
Speaks during debate on immigration rules and challenges government policy in the House of Commons.
March
The Dark Side of the Moon
Parsons engineers The Dark Side of the Moon, released in the United Kingdom
The Dark Side of the Moon
Pink Floyd release The Dark Side of the Moon in the United Kingdom
Forbes Captains Norwich Cup Final Team
Forbes leads Norwich's defence in the club's first League Cup final under Saunders, although Tottenham emerge victorious.
Keelan Norwich Wembley Goalkeeper
Keelan keeps goal for Saunders's Norwich against Tottenham in the League Cup final, helping the Canaries compete in a narrow defeat.
Norwich Reaches League Cup Final
Saunders takes Norwich to their first League Cup final, where Tottenham Hotspur win 1–0 at Wembley.
Paddon Norwich Wembley Cup Final
Paddon takes part in Norwich's first League Cup final against Tottenham, the culmination of a notable cup run under Saunders.
Spiring Transfer Continues Squad Investment
Peter Spiring arrived from Bristol City in March 1973 as Shankly prepared Liverpool for the closing stages of a demanding season.
Demonstrations
Bombs explode near Trafalgar Square, injuring many people.
Trafalgar Square Bombs
His government faces bomb attacks near Trafalgar Square.
London Bridge
Queen Elizabeth II opens the new London Bridge
Pink Floyd
"Dark Side Of The Moon" performed at Earls Court, London
Pink Floyd
"Dark Side Of The Moon" performed at Earls Court, London
Constitution of Great Britain
The British Government publishes a white paper which proposes a 78-member Northern Ireland Assembly, to be elected by proportional representation. A Council of Ireland will give the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland a voice in each others affairs
Council of Ireland
A Council of Ireland will give the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland a voice in each others affairs
Northern Ireland Assembly
The British Government publishes a white paper which proposes a 78-member Northern Ireland Assembly, to be elected by proportional representation
President of the Council
A Council of Ireland will give the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland a voice in each others affairs
Pink Floyd
"Dark Side Of The Moon" Released
Pink Floyd
"Dark Side Of The Moon" Released
Pink Floyd
"Dark Side Of The Moon" Released
Houses of the Holy
Releases Houses of the Holy with Led Zeppelin.
Northern Ireland White Paper Debate
Speaks on the Northern Ireland White Paper, developing constitutional arguments that later shape his Ulster Unionist politics.
Pink Floyd
"Dark Side Of The Moon" hits number 1 in the Billboard album chart
Pink Floyd
"Dark Side Of The Moon" hits number 1 in the Billboard album chart
Ooh La La
Releases Ooh La La with Faces during growing tension between group and solo commitments.
Open All Hours
The Open All Hours pilot episode is broadcast, and runs for four series between February 1976 and October 1985
April
Dakota
John Lennon and Yoko Ono purchase an apartment at the Dakota on Central Park West and West 72nd Street in New York
Value Added Tax
Value Added Tax replaces purchase tax and selective employment tax.
Value Added Tax Introduction
Introduces VAT as part of the shift from direct to indirect taxation.
Aladdin Sane
Releases Aladdin Sane, the first album written and issued after the breakthrough of Ziggy Stardust.
Economy of Great Britain
For the remainder of the year pay rises are to be 1 pound & 4% pa, maximum rise of 250 pounds pa
May
Constitution of Great Britain
The Northern Ireland Assembly Bill becomes law, elections for the new assembly are held 28th June
Election
The Northern Ireland Assembly Bill becomes law, elections for the new assembly are held 28th June
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.