1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986   Lorry driver, Peter Sutcliffe charged with Yorkshire Ripper murders 'Gang of Four' launches Social Democratic Party Rupert Murdoch buys The Times and Sunday Times Brixton riots Blank shots fired at the Queen during Trooping the Colour Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer married in front of 700 million TV viewers Riots in cities including Liverpool, Birmingham, Reading, Hull and Preston Garages begin selling petrol by the litre One in eight children now live in single-parent families Arthur Scargill elected president of the National Union of Mineworkers     Copyright © 1998, NHS