BUCKINGHAM Palace confirmed in a statement that Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully aged 96,

Her death brings an end to a 70-year reign, the longest in history, having ascended the throne following the death of her father, King George VI on 6 February 1952.

The beloved monarch was born in the year 1926 into a rapidly modernising world. 

Here is a timeline of the momentous year that brought us the country's longest-reigning sovereign.

Mourners pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Her Majesty was born in the same year as Marilyn Monroe, Fidel Castro, Mel Brooks, Tony Bennett and Sir David Attenborough.

Timelines of the biggest events of 1926 when Queen Elizabeth II was born

January 27

John Logie Baird demonstrates a mechanical television system in London.

 

February 9

Flooding of London suburbs.

 

March 6

The Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon is destroyed by fire.

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April 21

Princess Elizabeth is born at 2.40am.

July 24

The first greyhound track in Britain opens in Manchester.

The Queen's life in pictures

 

August 6

American swimmer Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim the English Channel from France to England.

 

August 7

The first British Grand Prix is held at the Brooklands circuit near Weybridge.

 

South Wales Argus: Queen Elizabeth II was born in the same year as Sir David Attenborough and Marilyn Monroe.Queen Elizabeth II was born in the same year as Sir David Attenborough and Marilyn Monroe. (Image: PA)

October 12

British miners agree to end their strike.

 

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READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth II: A life in pictures

October 14

AA Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh is published.

  

November 15

Rudolph Valentino’s final film The Son of the Sheik is released.

 

South Wales Argus: Queen Elizabeth II was born in the year 1926.Queen Elizabeth II was born in the year 1926. (Image: PA)

December 2

Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin ends the martial law that had been declared due to a General Strike.

 

December 3

Agatha Christie disappears from her home in Surrey.

 

December 14

Agatha Christie is found in a Harrogate hotel.