1990

Violent protests and demonstrations against the Poll Tax

Margaret Thatcher steps down as Prime minister, replaced by John Major

Iraq invades Kuwait

Richard Billingham begins photographing his own family

1991

Gulf War, US Congress passes resolution to use military force to drive Iraqi forces out of Kuwait. Victory is declared on February 27

Channel 4 begin sponsoring the Turner Prize

1992

Black Wednesday - UK withdraws from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism

1993

Teenager Stephen Lawrence is murdered in a racist attack in South London

Gillian Wearing's Signs... first exhibited at the artist-run London gallery City Racing

Gillian Wearing
I signed on and they would not give me nothing 1992-3
© the artist and Maureen Paley/ Interim Art, London
large image and caption

1994

British government lifts the Broadcasting Ban against Sinn Féin and its supporters

inIVA established to develop and disseminate the work of artists from culturally diverse backgrounds

1997

Labour Party elected, Tony Blair becomes Prime Minister

Black Filmmaker Magazine founded by Menelik Shabazz

The exhibition Sensation, comprising works from Charles Saatchi's art collection, opens at the Royal Academy

1998

Good Friday Agreement is signed

The Real IRA car bomb in Omagh kills 29 civilians