May 6
Channel Tunnel Opens
The Queen and President Mitterrand opened the Channel Tunnel. For the first time since the Ice Age, you could walk (or take a train) from Britain to France. The 31-mile tunnel took 6 years and £4.65 billion to build.
🇬🇧United Kingdom · 90s
The Channel Tunnel
Britain connected to Europe by rail, Tony Blair conquered Labour, and Britpop began.
What happened
5 milestones of 1994
Jul 21
Tony Blair Becomes Labour Leader
After John Smith's sudden death, Tony Blair won the Labour leadership. At 41, he promised 'New Labour, New Britain.' The modernizers had won. The road to 1997 began.
Aug 31
IRA Ceasefire
The IRA announced a 'complete cessation of military operations.' After 25 years of violence, peace seemed possible. Loyalist paramilitaries followed with their own ceasefire in October.
The Troubles — acknowledge hope while noting the ceasefire later broke down
Nov 19
National Lottery Launches
The National Lottery launched with the first draw live on BBC1. Noel Edmonds hosted. 25 million bought tickets. Seven winners shared £5.9 million. 'It could be you' entered the language.
May 12
Death of John Smith
Labour leader John Smith died of a heart attack aged 55. He was widely expected to become Prime Minister. His death opened the door for Tony Blair. Smith was buried on Iona.
Political death — respectful
What was playing
70% local · 30% international
What was in cinemas
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Mike Newell — Hugh Grant stammered. Andie MacDowell got wet. British rom-com perfected.
The Shawshank Redemption
Frank Darabont — Flopped at the box office. Became the most loved film ever on video.
Pulp Fiction
Quentin Tarantino — Travolta danced. Samuel L. Jackson quoted Ezekiel. Cinema reinvented.
The Lion King
Roger Allers — Disney's African epic. 'Hakuna Matata.' UK cinemas packed.
Shallow Grave
Danny Boyle — Ewan McGregor's breakthrough. Dark Edinburgh thriller. Boyle arrives.
What was on TV
The National Lottery Live
1994-present — Noel Edmonds drew the first balls. 'It could be you.'
One Foot in the Grave
1990-2000 — Richard Wilson: 'I don't believe it!' Peak grumpiness.
The Vicar of Dibley
1994-2007 — Dawn French as a female vicar. 'No no no no no... yes.'
Friends
1994-2004 — American import that conquered British living rooms.
TFI Friday
1996 prep — Chris Evans' Friday night show in development.
How much things cost
Currency: GBP
Pint of milk34p
Loaf of bread56p
Pint of bitter£1.42
Average house£55,482
National Lottery ticket£1
Cinema ticket£3.80
Inflation: 2.5%
Economy recovering. Inflation low. Housing market stable. But the Tories were exhausted and scandal-ridden.
Then vs. Now
Inflation-adjusted values
Pint of milkONS
1994 (GBP)
34p
→
Today's value (£)
--
Loaf of breadONS
1994 (GBP)
56p
→
Today's value (£)
--
Pint of bitterBBPA
1994 (GBP)
£1.42
→
Today's value (£)
--
Average houseONS
1994 (GBP)
£55,482
→
Today's value (£)
--
National Lottery ticketCamelot
1994 (GBP)
£1
→
Today's value (£)
--
Cinema ticketBFI
1994 (GBP)
£3.80
→
Today's value (£)
--
Technology
Channel Tunnel
31-mile rail tunnel under the English Channel — engineering marvel.
World Wide Web
The internet beginning to reach ordinary homes via dial-up.
PlayStation
Sony PlayStation launched in Japan — UK launch coming 1995.
Mobile phones
Nokia phones shrinking. SMS texting growing.
Amazon
Jeff Bezos founded Amazon.com — online shopping was coming.
Pop Culture
Fashion
Britpop fashion — Adidas trainers, Fred Perry, Union JackGrunge fading into indie styleLad culture — loaded magazine, football shirts, pints
Slang
Lad— Blokey, one of the boys
Mint— Perfect, excellent
Buzzin'— Excited
Behavior
- Britpop created a new wave of national cultural confidence
- The IRA ceasefire brought genuine hope for peace in Northern Ireland
- The National Lottery created a weekly national ritual
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