1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966   Contraceptive pill available on the NHS Yuri Gagarin is first man in space Plans to force pedestrians to cross the road at traffic lights Plans for 43-letter phonetic experimental alphabet to be taught to 1,000 children Britain applies to join EEC Margaret Thatcher becomes parliamentary secretary     Copyright © 1998, NHS