May 4, 1979 Margaret Thatcher Became Prime Minister of Great Britain

Margaret Thatcher was born on October 13, 1925, as Margaret Hilda Roberts. Her father owned a grocery shop, and her mother had been a dressmaker. Her upbringing was very strict, and her father made certain she had a good education. She had one older sister whose name was Muriel. She went to Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School and enjoyed reading about politics and world affairs. She became involved in politics at a young age by running errands for the local Conservative Party when needed. She later attended the University of Oxford.

Margaret Roberts eventually married Denis Thatcher. They had twins, who they named Mark and Carol Jane. The same year the twins were born, Margaret Thatcher became an attorney.

She became involved more deeply in politics by running for a seat in the House of Commons. She lost her first two elections, but eventually won a seat.

As time went on, Margaret Thatcher began to challenge the leadership of the Conservative Party. She campaigned on reducing government involvement in industry, lowering taxes, cutting government spending, and other points. She won the party leadership, the first woman to win the leadership of a British political party.

In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became the first female Prime Minister of Great Britain. Taxes were reduced and government involvement in industry was reduced. The type of government during this time was called “Thatcherism.” As she proved herself more and more, she continued to win elections as Prime Minister and became the first British political leader to win three consecutive national elections in the 20th century.

Margaret Thatcher died on April 8, 2013.

Now, see how much you know about the life of Margaret Thatcher with the timeline on the next page.

1935

1943

1947

1951

1953

1959

1961

1970

1975

1976

1979

1982

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1988

1990

1992

2002

2007

2013

2. Retires from public speaking

3. Becomes Prime Minister

4. Graduates from Oxford University

5. Her hotel is bombed by the IRA in an attempt to assassinate her

6. Is appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary (Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance)

7. Resigns as Prime Minister

8. Becomes the first woman to lead a British political party

9. Begins activities in politics by running errands for the local Conservative Party

10. Opposes the idea of a European “super state” and firmly states Britain’s sovereignty

11. Is given her first Cabinet post (Secretary of State for Education and Science)

12. Dies on April 8

13. Is elected to the House of Commons

14. Becomes the first Prime Minister to receive a statue in the Houses of Parliament while she was still living

15. Wins scholarship to Oxford University

16. Signs a pact called the Anglo-Irish Agreement, along with Prime Minister Garret FitzGerald of Ireland

17. Refuses to give in to Argentine aggression in the Falkland Islands and sends troops to take back the Falklands

18. Is made a baroness and member of the House of Lords

19. Marries Denis Thatcher

20. Makes speech condemning communism that earns her the nickname “Iron Lady” in the Soviet press

Begins activities in politics by running errands for the local Conservative Party 1935

1943 Wins scholarship to Oxford University

Graduates from Oxford University 1947

1951 Marries Denis Thatcher

Takes her bar finals and gives birth to twins 1953

1959 Is elected to the House of Commons Is appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary (Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance) 1961 Is given her first Cabinet post (Secretary 1970 of State for Education and Science) Becomes the first woman to lead a British political party 1975 Makes speech condemning communism that earns her the 1976 nickname “Iron Lady” in the Soviet press

Becomes Prime Minister 1979 Refuses to give in to Argentine aggression in the Falkland Islands 1982 and sends troops to take back the Falklands Her hotel is bombed by the IRA in an attempt to assassinate her 1984 Signs a pact called the Anglo-Irish Agreement, along with Prime Minister 1985 Garret FitzGerald of Ireland Opposes the idea of a European “super state” and firmly states Britain’s sovereignty 1988

1990 Resigns as Prime Minister Is made a baroness and member of the House of Lords 1992

Becomes the first Prime Minister to 2002 Retires from public speaking receive a statue in the Houses of Parliament while she was still living 2007

2013 Dies on April 8