London is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom. It is the most populous region of the country. Its history dates back over 2,000 years. During this time the city has underwent numerous outbreaks of plague, civil war, devastating fire, terrorist attacks and bombardments. Nevertheless, it has become one of the most beautiful, financially and culturally significant capitals in the world.
The official history of London begins around AD 43. At that time, it was a civilian town (Londinium), established by the Romans shortly after their invasion. In around AD 60 London was destroyed by the Iceni tribe. The city continued to grow normally after this conquest and soon Londinium’s population was almost 30,000. During the 2nd century the city was at its height. With the population of 60,000 it became the capital of Brittania. The Roman occupation of London became to an end by the 5th century.
Certain archaeological excavations prove that Anglo-Saxon settlement of the city began as early as in the 5th or 6thcentury. It was then known as Lundenwic. While early Anglo-Saxon London belonged to Middle Saxons, by the 7th century it became the East Saxons’ kingdom. In the 650s King Sigeberht II established the Christianity in the kingdom. The 9th century was marked by frequent Viking attacks. By 1066 London was under the Norman regime. It was the time when the first stone castle in the country was built to replace a wooden fortification. The most important of these fortresses was the Tower of London. Many remarkable constructions were built during Norman and Medieval periods. For example, in 1097 the son of William the Conqueror started the building of Westminster Palace. The first bridge through the river Thames was built in 1176. Middle Age London was marked by a steady trade growth.
London has survived series of tragic events. Thus, in 1348 England suffered from Bubonic Plague, brought from the continent. One third of the city population was killed by this illness. In 1381 London was stormed by angry peasants, who set fire to lots of buildings. This event is recorded in history as the Peasants’ Revolt. Until 1665 there were 15 more outbreaks of Plague. The year 1666 brought another calamity – the Great Fire, which destroyed almost entire London. This incident has forced citizens to move outside the walls of the city, which led to the city extension. By 1700 London has become the largest city in Europe with the population of 600,000.
By the 19th century the number of inhabitants reached 1 million. By that time London had become an artistic capital, which is reflected in many posh areas of the city. In the middle of the 19thcentury, due to potato famine, thousands of Irish refugees moved to London. In 1851 the First World Fair, also known as the Great Exhibition, was held in Hyde Park. This event was a tremendous success. It brought large amounts of money, which were later used to build the greatest museums of the city: the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum.
By 1900 the population of London has reached 6 million people. The city was extensively bombed during the World War II. More than 35,000 people were killed and injured. In 1948 London hosted Summer Olympics. After the 1960s it has become an epicenter of youth culture.