Buckingham Palace confirmed in a statement that Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully aged 96,
Her death brings an end to a 70-year reign, the longest in history, having ascended the throne following the death of her father, King George VI on 6 February 1952.
The beloved monarch was born in the year 1926 into a rapidly modernising world.
Here is a timeline of the momentous year that brought us the country's longest-reigning sovereign.
Mourners pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Her Majesty was born in the same year as Marilyn Monroe, Fidel Castro, Mel Brooks, Tony Bennett and Sir David Attenborough.
Timelines of the biggest events of 1926 when Queen Elizabeth II was born
January 27
John Logie Baird demonstrates a mechanical television system in London.
February 9
Flooding of London suburbs.
March 6
The Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon is destroyed by fire.
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April 21
Princess Elizabeth is born at 2.40am.
July 24
The first greyhound track in Britain opens in Manchester.
The Queen's life in pictures
August 6
American swimmer Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim the English Channel from France to England.
August 7
The first British Grand Prix is held at the Brooklands circuit near Weybridge.
October 12
British miners agree to end their strike.
READ MORE: The end of a glorious and historic reign as Queen Elizabeth II dies
READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth II: A life in pictures
October 14
AA Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh is published.
November 15
Rudolph Valentino’s final film The Son of the Sheik is released.
December 2
Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin ends the martial law that had been declared due to a General Strike.
December 3
Agatha Christie disappears from her home in Surrey.
December 14
Agatha Christie is found in a Harrogate hotel.
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