1969

UK HEADLINES

Prince Charles investiture (televised ceremony as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon) - British troops deployed to Northern Ireland (beginning of a time known as "the Troubles") - Monty Python debuts (first episode airs bringing something "completely different" to British TV and launching the careers of the Python's; Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin) – Miners’ strike spreads (Arthur Scargill leads pickets in Yorkshire)

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES

Apollo 11 Moon landing (Neil Armstrong becomes the first person to walk on the Moon) – Woodstock Festival (a lasting symbol of counterculture, with 400k+ attendees) – Nixon begins "Vietnamisation" (US starts troop withdrawal) – Libyan coup (A bloodless coup in Libya ousts King Idris and brings Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to power)