Presentation of the lesson

““Tell me about the United Tell me about the United Kingdom”Kingdom”

ScotlandScotland

EnglandEngland

Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland

WalesWales

BRITISH HISTORY AND POLITICS IN A BRITISH HISTORY AND POLITICS IN A NUTSHELLNUTSHELLNAMENAME: United Kingdom of Great Britain and

Northern IrelandPOP: 60 million

GOVERNMENT:GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary Democracy/Constitutional MonarchyHouse of Commons (659 members) and the House of Lords (100 mbrs?)Prime Minister: Tony Blair (Labor)HISTORY:HISTORY:Long history in which the evolution of the state has been evolutionary or gradual rather than revolutionary; One of Europe’s oldest statesModern government often date to end of the Glorious Revolution in 1688, but there is no clear cut "beginningConstituent elements came together slowly and through expansion of England

SCOTLANDSCOTLAND 1603 Union of the Crowns, 1707 Union of the Parliaments

WALESWALES Defeated by Edward I in 11th century; formally integrated under Tudor monarchs in the middle of the 16th centuryIRELANDIRELANDFirst invaded by Henry II in 1169, direct rule starts in 1534; settlement of Ireland by Protestant (many Scottish) in 17th century; formal incorporation in 1800; ended with Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921RELIGION RELIGION —Protestantism

Welcome to the Official Web Site of the British Monarchy

•What is The Queen's role in modern society? •How is The Queen linked to the Commonwealth? •How is the work of The Queen and the Royal Family funded? •What does the Royal Household do? Find out the answers to these and other questions clicking on:

National Anthem Reference Page - Falkland Islands

Queen of EnglandQueen of England

Listen to Listen to “God Save the Queen” at: at:

Stonehenge is Britain's greatest prehistoric monument and a World Heritage Site. Built in three phases between 3050 BC and 1600 BC, it stands at the centre of a ceremonial landscape containing 450 scheduled ancient monuments of national importance. Stonehenge exudes a powerful sense of mystery which has enthralled successive generations - why did man build this stupendous monument, and how was this great engineering feat achieved?

                                         

Cornwall is in the far South West of England , with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the English Channel on the other. Cornwall is one of England’s most popular tourist destinations and has a wealth of natural beauty, superb beaches wildlife culture, and history, as well as a strong seafaring tradition, unspoilt fishing villages, castles and beautiful countryside too.

StonehengeStonehenge

CornwallCornwall

           

           

  

On the night of November 5th, throughout Britain, bonfires are set alight, effigies are burned, and fireworks are set off. The people do this to commemorate their country's most notorious traitor: http://www.bonefire.org/guy/bonfire.html

Guy Fawkes (1570 -1606)conspired in the Gunpowder Plot to blow up King James the First and members of both Houses of Parliament. He was arrested in the cellar below the House on 4 Nov 1605, tortured and executed. The event is still celebrated in Britain every year with bonfires, fireworks and the burning of the 'guy' usually a grotesque effigy.

                      

             

            

              

         

                       

           

              

          

          

“Remember, remember the Fifth of November”

http://www.benjerry.com/halloween/

The story of Halloween goes back over 2000 years to the ancient Celts. Druidic priests regarded the day as the end of the year. Not only was it their day for celebrating the year's harvest, but October 31 itself was also the day of Samhain, a festival for honoring the dead. In order to appease the wandering spirits they believed roamed at night, the Celtic priests made fires in which they burned sacrifices, made charms, and cast spells.

Soho is the place for late night action, although Islington, Camden Town, Clerkenwell, Old Soho is the place for late night action, although Islington, Camden Town, Clerkenwell, Old Street and Brixton are also well worth checking out.Street and Brixton are also well worth checking out.Night buses run to most parts of London from midnight until 07.00. Trafalgar Square is the Night buses run to most parts of London from midnight until 07.00. Trafalgar Square is the best place to pick up a night bus. The buses have the designator "N" in front of their best place to pick up a night bus. The buses have the designator "N" in front of their number. Check the number. Check the London Regional Transport Travel Information ServiceLondon Regional Transport Travel Information Service for more for more information.information.  

LondonLondonIn London the West End is a good place In London the West End is a good place to start, purely for the concentration of to start, purely for the concentration of nightlife action. In just the one square nightlife action. In just the one square mile (1.6km square) which sits around mile (1.6km square) which sits around Shaftesbury Avenue, Piccadilly, Covent Shaftesbury Avenue, Piccadilly, Covent Garden and the Strand, that makes up Garden and the Strand, that makes up the West End there is perhaps the the West End there is perhaps the greatest plenitude of pubs, bars, dance greatest plenitude of pubs, bars, dance and comedy clubs, restaurants, theatre, and comedy clubs, restaurants, theatre, cinemas, music venues, in the world.cinemas, music venues, in the world.