CBE
Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
2008 in Great Britain
Explore 165 historical events and records for Great Britain in 2008.
Historical records for Great Britain in 2008
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 165 unique records.
165Unique records
1 of 5Page
30Named events on this page
26Named people on this page
9Places on this page
January
Lisbon Treaty Bill Defence
Brown's government defends legislation ratifying the Treaty of Lisbon.
Lisbon Treaty Bill Second Reading
The Commons gives the European Union Amendment Bill its second reading.
Treaty of Lisbon
In the UK, the European Union (Amendment) Bill is debated in the House of Commons on and passes its second reading that day by a vote of 362 to 224; Prime Minister Gordon Brown is absent that day, and leaves the Bill to be defended by David Miliband
Culture Secretary Appointment
Burnham becomes Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
Manager
Appointed manager of Leeds United
February
Credit Crunch
Darling announces that Northern Rock will enter temporary public ownership after private rescue proposals fail to provide acceptable value for taxpayers.
Nationalization
Alistair Darling announces that Northern Rock will be nationalised
Northern Rock Nationalisation
Brown's government chooses temporary public ownership after private-sale efforts fail.
Northern Rock Public Ownership
Darling announces that Northern Rock will transfer into temporary public ownership.
Northern Rock Public Ownership Announcement
Brown's government announces that Northern Rock will enter temporary public ownership.
Northern Rock Transfer Order
Northern Rock formally transfers into temporary public ownership.
March
Football Hall of Fame
Awarded a place in the football Hall of Fame at the National Football Museum in Preston, joining fellow former Seasiders Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortensen in the list of Blackpool players selected
Comedy
The Curse of Steptoe, a BBC TV play about Brambell and his co-star Harry H Corbett, is broadcast on digital BBC channel BBC FOUR, featuring Phil Davis as Brambel
Death of David Paul Scofield
Death of David Paul Scofield
Bobby Robson Foundation
Launches the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. Funds equipment for the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre, in the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Cancer Research
Funds equipment for the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre, in the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne
100 Caps
Recalled to the England squad by Capello for the friendly against France, Beckham becomes only the fifth Englishman to win 100 caps
April
Credit Crunch
The Bank of England launches the Special Liquidity Scheme, allowing banks to exchange high-quality mortgage-backed assets temporarily for Treasury bills.
Special Liquidity Scheme Launched
Mervyn King leads the Bank of England as it launches the Special Liquidity Scheme allowing banks to exchange eligible illiquid assets for Treasury bills.
Death of John Mills
Death of John Mills
PFA Merit Award
Awarded the PFA Merit Award
May
Local Election Defeat
Labour records its weakest local-election performance for several decades.
Criminal Justice and Immigration Act
The Act changes sentencing, criminal justice and immigration provisions.
FA Cup Winner
Sol Campbell captained the defence as Portsmouth preserved their narrow advantage as Portsmouth defeated Cardiff City 1-0 in the 2008 FA Cup final at Wembley.
FA Cup Winner
David James protected Portsmouth's lead with an experienced performance in goal as Portsmouth defeated Cardiff City 1-0 in the 2008 FA Cup final at Wembley.
FA Cup Winner
Glen Johnson supplied width on the right side while also handling defensive duties as Portsmouth defeated Cardiff City 1-0 in the 2008 FA Cup final at Wembley.
Champions League Final Victory
Wins the Champions League with Manchester United after the final against Chelsea is decided by penalties.
Champions League Winner
Wes Brown supplied the cross for Cristiano Ronaldo's opening header against Chelsea in the 2008 UEFA Champions League final, helping Manchester United win the competition.
Champions League Winner
Michael Carrick kept United's passing game moving in a tightly balanced final in the 2008 UEFA Champions League final, helping Manchester United win the competition.
Champions League Winner
Rio Ferdinand co-captained United on the pitch and helped hold Chelsea to a draw through extra time in the 2008 UEFA Champions League final, helping Manchester United win the competition.
Champions League Winner
Owen Hargreaves contributed tireless running and converted his penalty in the shootout in the 2008 UEFA Champions League final, helping Manchester United win the competition.
Champions League Winner
Wayne Rooney pressed Chelsea's defenders and supported Ronaldo in United's attacking line in the 2008 UEFA Champions League final, helping Manchester United win the competition.
Champions League Winner
Paul Scholes started in midfield after missing United's 1999 triumph through suspension in the 2008 UEFA Champions League final, helping Manchester United win the competition.
Second Champions League Title as Manager
Wins his second Champions League crown when Manchester United defeat Chelsea on penalties.
June
100 Caps
Beckham wis honored by receiving an honorary gold cap representing his 100th cap from Sir Bobby Charlton, and is given a standing ovation from the crowd
100 Caps
Beckham wis honored by receiving an honorary gold cap representing his 100th cap from Sir Bobby Charlton, and is given a standing ovation from the crowd
Lisbon Treaty Ratification
Helps secure UK ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.
High Quality Care for All
Darzi's final NHS Next Stage Review makes quality a central organising principle and proposes stronger measurement, clinical leadership, prevention and integrated care.
July
House Price Decline
The Government confronts the sharpest annual fall in house prices since 1992.
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.