Events from the year 1999 in the United Kingdom.
Incumbents
Events
- 24 February - The report of the murder of black London teenager Stephen Lawrence, who died six years ago, condemns London's police force as "institutionally racist", as well as condemning its officers for "fundamental errors".1
- 20 March - Brian Jones and Swiss balloonist Bertrand Piccard complete the first non-stop hot air balloon circumnavigation of the world.2
- 26 March - A total £2billion in compensation is paid to 100,000 former miners who are suffering from lung disease after years of working in British coalfields.3
- 29 March - The family of James Hanratty, one of the last men to be executed in Britain for the A6 murder 37 years ago, are given the right to appeal against his murder conviction by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.4
- April - Vauxhall launches its Zafira, a compact MPV which makes use of the Astra hatchback's chassis.
- 1 April - A minimum wage is introduced throughout the UK- set at £3.60 an hour for workers over 21, and £3 for workers under 21.5
- 14 April - Edgar Pearce, the so-called "Mardi Gra bomber", convicted for a series of bombings and sentenced to 21 years in jail.6
- 17 April - A bomb planted by David Copeland, the "London nailbomber" explodes in Brixton, South London injures 45 people.7
- 24 April - A second bomb planted by David Copeland explodes in Brick Lane, East London injuring 13 people.
- 26 April - TV presenter Jill Dando, 37, dies after being shot on the doorstep of her Fulham home.
- 30 April - A third bomb planted by David Copeland explodes in the Admiral Duncan pub, in Old Compton Street, Soho, London — the centre of the London gay scene — killing two people and injuring over thirty. Copeland is arrested later that night.8
- 6 May
- 7 May - The Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats form a coalition government in Scotland, with Donald Dewar as the First Minister of Scotland.
- 12 May - The Scottish Parliament meets in Edinburgh for its first session.
- 21 May - Jill Dando is buried in her hometown of Weston-super-Mare.
- 24 May - England national rugby team captain Lawrence Dallaglio resigns after a tabloid newspaper accused him of having taken drugs.9
- 26 May - The Welsh Assembly meets in Cardiff for its first session.
- 8 June - former cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken is sentenced to 18 months prison for perjury.10
- 18 June - police clash with protesters at a demonstration against capitalism in London.11
- 19 June - The marriage of The Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones takes place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor.2 The Queen creates Prince Edward, her third and youngest son, Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn.
- 4 August - George Robertson appointed as Secretary General of NATO.2
- 9 August - Charles Kennedy elected leader of the Liberal Democrats.12
- 11 August - The Total Eclipse attracts the attention of 350million people across Europe, with Cornwall being the only region of Britain to experience totality.
- 22 August - Norfolk farmer Tony Martin, 54, is charged with the murder of a 16-year-old burglar who was shot dead at his home two days ago. He is also charged with wounding a 29-year-old man who was also present at the time of the burglary.13
- 9 September - Chris Patten's report recommends reform of Royal Ulster Constabulary.14
- 24 September - The Bank of Scotland launches a hostile takeover bid for the NatWest Bank.
- 1 October - The 1999 Rugby World Cup begins in the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.
- 5 October - The Ladbroke Grove rail crash claims the lives of 31 people when two trains collide at Ladbroke Grove Junction, 2 miles west of Paddington station, London. Many more people are being treated in hospital for injuries.15
- 10 October - the Millennium Wheel begins to be lifted into position on the South Bank in London.16
- 30 December - Former Beatle George Harrison, 56, suffers minor stab wounds after being attacked by an intruder at his Oxfordshire mansion.2
- 31 December - millennium celebrations are held across the country including the official opening of the Millennium Dome and the unveiling of the Millennium Wheel in London.17
Publications
Births
Deaths
- 8 February - Iris Murdoch, novelist and philosopher (born 1919)
- 6 March - Dennis Viollet, footballer (born 1933)
- 17 March - Rod Hull, entertainer (born 1935)
- 21 March - Ernie Wise, comedian (born 1925)
- 14 April - Anthony Newley, actor, singer and songwriter (born 1931)
- 26 April - Jill Dando, journalist and television presenter (murdered) (born 1961)
- 28 May - Sir Alf Ramsey, footballer and football manager (born 1920)
- 2 May - Oliver Reed, actor (born 1938)
- 8 May - Dirk Bogarde, actor and author (born 1921)
- 1 June - Christopher Cockerell, inventor (born 1910)
- 8 June - Christina Foyle, bookshop owner (born 1911)
- 12 July - Bill Owen, actor (born 1914)
- 11 November - Vivian Fuchs, explorer (born 1908)
- 19 December - Desmond Llewelyn, actor (born 1914)
References
- ^ ""1999: Lawrence report blasts 'racist' police", BBC On This Day". Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
- ^ a b c d (2006) Penguin Pocket On This Day. Penguin Reference Library. ISBN 0-141-02715-0.
- ^ ""1999: Record compensation for miners", BBC On This Day". Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
- ^ ""1999: Hanratty family wins right to appeal", BBC On This Day". Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
- ^ ""1999: Britain gets first minimum wage", BBC On This Day". Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
- ^ ""Mardi Gra bomber jailed", BBC News". Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
- ^ ""1999: Dozens hurt in London bomb blast", BBC On This Day". Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
- ^ ""1999: Dozens injured in Soho nail bomb", BBC On This Day". Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
- ^ ""1999: Drugs row Dallaglio goes", BBC On This Day". Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
- ^ ""1999: Liar Aitken jailed for 18 months", BBC On This Day". Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
- ^ ""1999: Anti-capitalism demo turns violent", BBC On This Day". Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
- ^ ""1999: Kennedy wins Lib Dem leadership", BBC On This Day". Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
- ^ "" 1999: Man in custody after burglary shooting", BBC On This Day". Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
- ^ ""1999: Report urges sweeping reform of RUC", BBC On This Day". Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
- ^ ""1999: Death toll rising in Paddington crash", BBC On This Day". Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
- ^ ""1999: Millennium Wheel edges upwards", BBC On This Day". Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
- ^ ""1999: UK prepares to celebrate millennium", BBC On This Day". Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
See also
|
1999 in the United Kingdom: 
England | 
Scotland