# George VI - King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions; last Emperor of India

URL: https://english-history.com/rulers/george-vi
Reign: 1936 - 1952
Born-Died: 1895 - 1952
Dynasty: House of Windsor
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_VI

George VI unexpectedly became king after his brother's abdication and served as a symbol of national endurance during the Second World War. His reign also saw the rapid dismantling of empire and the transition toward the modern Commonwealth.

## Succession
- Preceded by: [Edward VIII](https://english-history.com/rulers/edward-viii)
- Succeeded by: [Elizabeth II](https://english-history.com/rulers/elizabeth-ii)

## Timeline events during this reign
- 1936 - [Edward VIII becomes king](https://english-history.com/timeline/1936-edward-viii-becomes-king)
- 1936 - [Edward VIII abdicates](https://english-history.com/timeline/1936-edward-viii-abdicates)
- 1936 - [George VI becomes king](https://english-history.com/timeline/1936-george-vi-becomes-king)
- 1938 - [Munich Agreement](https://english-history.com/timeline/1938-munich-agreement)
- 1939 - [Britain declares war on Germany](https://english-history.com/timeline/1939-britain-declares-war-on-germany)
- 1940 - [Dunkirk evacuation](https://english-history.com/timeline/1940-dunkirk-evacuation)
- 1940 - [Winston Churchill becomes prime minister](https://english-history.com/timeline/1940-winston-churchill-becomes-prime-minister)
- 1940 - [Battle of Britain](https://english-history.com/timeline/1940-battle-of-britain)
- 1940 - [The Blitz begins](https://english-history.com/timeline/1940-the-blitz-begins)
- 1941 - [Atlantic Charter](https://english-history.com/timeline/1941-atlantic-charter)
- 1942 - [Second Battle of El Alamein](https://english-history.com/timeline/1942-second-battle-of-el-alamein)
- 1944 - [D-Day landings](https://english-history.com/timeline/1944-d-day-landings)
- 1945 - [VE Day](https://english-history.com/timeline/1945-ve-day)
- 1945 - [Labour wins a landslide election](https://english-history.com/timeline/1945-labour-wins-a-landslide-election)
- 1945 - [VJ Day](https://english-history.com/timeline/1945-vj-day)
- 1946 - [Bank of England is nationalized](https://english-history.com/timeline/1946-bank-of-england-is-nationalized)
- 1947 - [India becomes independent](https://english-history.com/timeline/1947-india-becomes-independent)
- 1948 - [National Health Service begins](https://english-history.com/timeline/1948-national-health-service-begins)
- 1948 - [Empire Windrush passengers disembark at Tilbury](https://english-history.com/timeline/1948-empire-windrush-passengers-disembark-at-tilbury)
- 1948 - [British Nationality Act](https://english-history.com/timeline/1948-british-nationality-act)
- 1949 - [Britain becomes a founding member of NATO](https://english-history.com/timeline/1949-britain-becomes-a-founding-member-of-nato)
- 1951 - [Festival of Britain](https://english-history.com/timeline/1951-festival-of-britain)
- 1952 - [Elizabeth II becomes queen](https://english-history.com/timeline/1952-elizabeth-ii-becomes-queen)