United Kingdom

## Maps

The **United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland**, or just **United Kingdom (UK / U.K.)**, is an island country located in Western Europe.

## History

### Politics

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with Queen ElizabethW as its head of state and a Prime Minister leading its government.

On October 12, 1984, Margaret ThatcherW, the first female Prime Minister of the UK, was killed in a bombing on the Brighton Grand Hotel. Responsibility was immediately claimed by the IRAW. 5 other people died and 31 others were injured by the attack.

### Science and Technology

Ever since the industrial revolution, the UK has been a leader in scientific and technological development. In 1985, at a computer science conference in DavosW, Switzerland, British computer scientist, programmer, and internet rights activist Tim Berners-LeeW stepped up his criticism of the US government for the continued block of public use of the internet. Berners-Lee had been calling for the government to lift its restrictions for years.

The UK is part of the European Space Agency. British astronauts have participated in several NASA missions. In 1994, UK astronaut and Scotsman Clarke Halladay was a member of the Sojourner 1 mission to Mars.

The city of London hosts the annual International Astronautical Congress, a conference for actors in the discipline of astronautics.

### Culture

In 1981, UK heir apparent Prince CharlesW married Camilla Parker-BowlesW.

In 1986, England managed to win the World Cup in Mexico against Argentina after Diego Maradona's foul disqualified the Argentine team.

In 1987, the British rock band The BeatlesW started a reunion tour in Chicago, their first time performing in the USA since 1966. In 1980, Beatles founder John LennonW was shot in an assassination attempt in New York City when he left his studio, but luckily survived after surgery.

## Gallery

The Royal Wedding
Prince Charles marries CamillaMargaret Thatcher & Ronald ReaganThatcher & Reagan 1982John Lennon shotIRA bombing 1984 in the newsUK astronaut Clark Halladay †Clark Halladay in *Sojourner-1*London, 1992
## Behind the scenes

In reality, a couple of events turned out different than in the show:

* John Lennon died 1980 after being shot in NYC. In *For All Mankind*, he survived this assassination attempt.
* Prince Charles married Diana SpencerW in 1981, not Camilla Parker-Bowles. 8 years after Diana's death in 1997, he married Camilla in 2005.
* UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher survived the Brighton hotel bombing 1984W and stayed in office until end of 1990.
* In reality, Argentina won the 1986 World CupW against England. Diego Maradona'sW "Hand of God" moveW during the match continues to be subject to debate in our timeline.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 *For All Mankind* TV Series - Season 3, Episode 1: "Polaris" (press review opening)
2. ↑ Bonus Video: Another Giant Leap: 1984-1992 - Internet Accessibility (1985)
3. ↑ *For All Mankind* TV Series - Season 3, Episode 4: "Happy Valley"
4. ↑ *For All Mankind* TV Series - Season 3, Episode 3: "All In"
5. ↑ *For All Mankind* TV Series - Season 2, Episode 1: "Every Little Thing" (press review opening)
6. ↑ Episode 3x01 opening → Screenshot
7. ↑ Bonus Video: One Giant Leap: 1975-1982 - Lennon Line (1980)