Conference of Commonwealth
Opposes sanctions on South Africa at the Nassau Commonwealth Conference. 16-23 October, attends the Commonwealth Prime Minister's conference
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1985 in Great Britain — Page 3
Explore 209 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1985.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1985
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 209 unique records.
209Unique records
3 of 6Page
33Named events on this page
27Named people on this page
13Places on this page
October
Nassau Commonwealth Conference
Opposes sanctions on South Africa at the Nassau Commonwealth Conference
Birth of Wayne Rooney
Birth of Wayne Rooney
Commonwealth Eminent Persons Initiative
Supports the Commonwealth initiative establishing an Eminent Persons Group to encourage negotiations aimed at ending apartheid in South Africa.
ISIS Neutron Source Formal Opening
Formally opens the ISIS pulsed neutron source after it produced its first neutrons in December 1984.
November
Anglo-Irish Agreement
Sets up an Inter-Government Conference of to give the Republic a say in North Ireland
Anglo-Irish Agreement
Signs an agreement in Belfast with Dr FitzGerald
Anglo-Irish Agreement
Signs power sharing agreement at Hillsborough with the Irish Government
Anglo-Irish Agreement
Catholics, Protestants & the Republic have a say in Ulster
Resignation of Ian Reginald Edward Gow
Resigns from the Government after the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement
Anglo-Irish Agreement
Ulster Unionist leaders announce that all 15 Unionist MPs at Westminster will resign
Anglo-Irish Agreement
The Agreement is approved in Parliament by 473 votes to 47
December
Death of Philip Larkin
Death of Philip Larkin
Departure
Waters declares that he has left Pink Floyd and later contests use of the band name
Other events (month unknown)
Death of John Jock Stein
Death of John "Jock" Stein, suffers a heart attack at the end of the 1-1 draw with Wales at Ninian Park
1985 Football Writers Award
Neville Southall receives the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award after outstanding performances in Everton’s successful season.
1985 PFA Players Award
Peter Reid is voted PFA Players’ Player of the Year after anchoring Everton’s midfield during their league championship campaign.
A Room with a View
Appears in A Room with a View
Academy Award
Best Original Score for Out of Africa
Aftermath Of Miners Strike
The miners return to work without settlement was widely viewed as a major turning point in industrial relations.
Arcadia
Le Bon forms the band Arcadia with fellow Duran Duran members Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor
Bachelor of Laws Degree
Starmer graduates from the University of Leeds with a law degree.
BAFTA
Wins a British Academy Television Award for his collaboration with Michael Kamen on the score for the critically-acclaimed 1985 BBC television thriller serial Edge of Darkness
BAFTA
BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, A Room with a View
Belgrano Affair
Pursues questions about the sinking of General Belgrano.
Big Audio Dynamite
The bands debut album This Is Big Audio Dynamite is released, with the song "E=MC" getting heavy rotation in dance clubs, and both singles "Medicine Show" and "E=MC2" charting in the UK Singles Chart
Birmingham City Promoted to Top Flight
Saunders takes Birmingham City back into the First Division after a successful 1984–85 Second Division campaign.
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath briefly reunites with Osbourne for a Live Aid concert
Brentford Wembley Trophy Final
Rowe featured in the Brentford squad that reached the 1985 Freight Rover Trophy final, giving the club an appearance at Wembley.
Budget
The 1985 Budget raises personal income-tax allowances by more than the prevailing rate of inflation.
Budget
Nigel Lawson presents the 1985 Budget to the House of Commons as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Budget Policy
The 1985 Budget under Nigel Lawson sets out the Government's taxation, expenditure and borrowing plans.
Canning Connection Reconfigured During Renewal
Changes to the northern entrance included infill and revised roadway and slipway arrangements. The change expanded options for the use of Liverpool dock facilities.
Chairman
Appointed Chairman of the Conservative Party
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Clarke Birmingham Promotion Goals
Clarke helps provide the scoring threat in Birmingham City's promotion campaign under Saunders.
Companies Act
Companies Act 1985 consolidates company law in Great Britain
Constitution of Great Britain
Under the Falkland Islands constitution there is an Executive Council and a Legislative Council, The Executive Council advises the Governor & chaired by the Governor
Coppa Italia
Winner of the Coppa Italia with Sampdoria
Crash
The Human League release the Album, "Crash"
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.