Reform of Government
The Government proposes football fans should carry ID cards, later abandoned
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1988 in Great Britain
Explore 113 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1988.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1988
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 113 unique records.
113Unique records
1 of 3Page
29Named events on this page
27Named people on this page
11Places on this page
January
Strike
The NUS calls a national strike in support of the 161 crew sacked by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for refusing to accept new terms & conditions
Strike
The NUS calls a national strike in support of the 161 crew sacked by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for refusing to accept new terms & conditions
February
National Union of Seamen (NUS)
The National Union of Seamen (NUS) backs down in the High Court after a three-day stoppage, which has stifled seafaring trade and transport in the UK
Strike
The National Union of Seamen (NUS) backs down in the High Court after a three-day stoppage, which has stifled seafaring trade and transport in the UK
Strike
Thousands of seamen at major british ports are continuing to strike even though their union has called an end to the action
Privatization
Announces to the House of Commons his intention to privatize the electricity industry
March
Liberal Democrats
Becomes a Liberal Democrat peer after the SDP and Liberals merge.
May
Out of Order
Releases Out of Order, renewing his late-1980s commercial momentum.
June
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd play Berlin, the concert is very close to The Wall and 2,000 East German fans gather at their side to listen
Knebworth Festival
Pink Floyd are one of the supergroups to play Knebworth Festival in aid of Nordoff Robbins music therapy
Pink Floyd
The band plays Versailles, the show is filmed for the "Delicate Sound Of Thunder" video
July
Berlin Festival
400,000 people watch Roger Waters stage "The Wall" in Berlins Potsdamerplatz with a variety of guests
August
Death of Robert Calvert
Death of Robert Calvert
September
Berlin Festival
"The Wall - Live In Berlin" is released
Brexit
Delivers the Bruges speech criticising centralising tendencies in Europe.
Bruges Speech
Thatcher delivers a major speech criticising European centralisation.
Manager
Appointed manager of Leeds United
International Caps
First called up to the full England squad by Bobby Robson for a friendly against Denmark
Pink Floyd
Roger Waters issues a High Court writ against the band for breach of copyright, he claims $ 35,000 compensation for illegal use of the inflatable pig, one of his concepts, which has been used on their latest tour
Pink Floyd
Roger Waters issues a High Court writ against the band for breach of copyright, he claims $ 35,000 compensation for illegal use of the inflatable pig, one of his concepts, which has been used on their latest tour
October
Manager
Appointed manager of Leeds United
Opel
A collection of out-takes and unheard tracks by Syd is released under the title, "Opel"
Traveling Wilburys Vol 1
Records Traveling Wilburys Vol 1 with Dylan and others.
November
Delicate Sound of Thunder
Pink Floyd release the live album Delicate Sound of Thunder
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd release "Delicate Sound Of Thunder"
December
British Steel Privatisation
British Steel shares begin trading after the state-owned corporation is privatised.
Closed Shop
Announces Labour will not bring back the closed shop
Clapham Junction Rail Crash
Secretary of State for Transport during the Clapham Junction rail crash
Lockerbie Disaster
Secretary of State for Transport during the Lockerbie Disaster, in which Pan-Am flight 103 was brought down by a bomb planted by Libyan agents over Scottish town of Lockerbie
Other events (month unknown)
1988 FA Cup Final Winner
Heads the only goal as Wimbledon defeat league champions Liverpool.
1988 Fourth Division Scoring
Scores prolifically in the 1987–88 campaign as Wolves win the Fourth Division and the Football League Trophy.
A Fish Called Wanda
The film "A Fish Called Wanda" is written by John Cleese & stars Michael Palin
A Fish Called Wanda
The film "A Fish Called Wanda" is written by John Cleese & stars Michael Palin
A Handful of Dust
Starts in "A Handful of Dust"
A Local Habitation Published
Hoggart published A Local Habitation, continuing his autobiographical reflections on education and social mobility.
Battersea Power Station Redevelopment Discussed
Proposals to give the disused generating station a new commercial purpose became a major local planning issue.
Best Foreign Player
Hoddle is voted the Best Foreign Player in French football
Birth of James Leroy Augustin Jagger
Birth of James Leroy Augustin Jagger, Jerry Hall, gives birth to Mick Jaggers son James Leroy Augustin Jagger
Birth of James Leroy Augustin Jagger
Birth of James Leroy Augustin Jagger, Jerry Hall, gives birth to Mick Jagger's son James Leroy Augustin Jagger. Birth of Georgia May Ayeesha Jagger, Jerry Hall, gives birth to Mick Jagger's daughter Georgia May Ayeesha Jagger
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.