The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom, that had originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height it was the largest empire in history and, for over a century, was the foremost global power. By 1922, the British Empire held sway over a population of about 458 million people, one-quarter of the world's population, and approximately a quarter of the Earth's total land area. As a result, its political, linguistic and cultural legacy is widespread. At the peak of its power, it was often said that "the sun never sets on the British Empire" because its span across the globe ensured that the sun was always shining on at least one of its numerous territories. The growth of Germany and the United States eroded Britain's economic lead by the end of the 19th century. Subsequent military and economic tensions between Britain and Germany were major causes of the First World War, for which Britain leaned heavily upon its Empire. The Second World War accelerated the decline of the Empire. Within two years of the end of the war, Britain granted independence to its most populous and valuable colony, India. During the remainder of the 20th century, most of the territories of the Empire became independent. After independence, many former British colonies joined the Commonwealth of Nations, a free association of independent states. Fourteen territories remain under British sovereignty, the British overseas territories.
Read the rest of this article: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire> _______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries: 1525: Martin Luther married Katharina von Bora , against the celibacy discipline decreed by the Roman Catholic Church on priests. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katharina_Luther> 1886: King Ludwig II of Bavaria was found dead in Lake Starnberg near Munich under mysterious circumstances. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_II_of_Bavaria> 1898: The Yukon Territory was formed in Canada, splitting from the Northwest Territories after the area's population substantially increased due to the Klondike Gold Rush. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukon> 1971: The New York Times began to publish the Pentagon Papers, a 7,000-page top-secret United States Department of Defense history of the United States' political and military involvement in the Vietnam War. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times> 1997: In one of the worst fire tragedies in recent Indian history, 59 people died and 103 others were seriously injured during a premiere screening of the film Border at the Uphaar Cinema in Green Park, South Delhi. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uphaar_cinema_fire> _____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day: chunter (v): 1. (British, slang) To speak in a soft, indistinct manner, mutter. 2. (British, slang) To grumble, complain <http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/chunter> ___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day: So long as all is ordered for attack, and that alone, leaders will instinctively increase the number of enemies that they may give their followers something to do. --William Butler Yeats <http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_Butler_Yeats> _______________________________________________ Wikipedia Daily Article mailing list. To unsubscribe, visit: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/daily-article-l Questions or comments? Contact [email protected]
