summary of the text on pages 123-127

People from Europe travel to the British Isles. The Celts were the first people who were there, and lived in small clans and kingdoms. The Celts spoke Gaelic, a language which we still can see traces of in Ireland and in Scotland.
The Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD and drove many of the Celtic people away. They set up many of the cities which are famous today. Later, the Anglo Saxons came from Germany. The Viking invasion took place around year 1000. It had its end in 1066, when Harold 11 beat the Norwegian King, Harald Hardraade, at Stamford Bridge.
The last invasion was done by the Normans. A french duke, William of Normandy, beat the English at the battle of Hastings in 1066.

King Henry VIII lived in 16th century. He broke with the Catholic Church and established the Protestant Church of England with himself as its supreme leader.

Elizabeth was daughter of Henry VIII. She was queen in England for 45 years. The Elizabeth period was that period when william shakespeare wrote poem and plays he still is famous for today. Elizabeth never got married, and she was known as the Virgin Queen.

Sir Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister, said these famous words during World War II: Britain played a leading role in the fight against Hitler's Germany.
Most of the British colonies claimed their independence during the first 30 years after World War II. The return of Hong Kong to the Chinese in 1997 marked the definitive end of the British Empire.

Britain today in no longer a political or military superpower. However, when it comes to world business and finance, London is still one of the most important centres. In addition, the country that gave the world William Shakespare, football, the Beatles, James Bond and the BBC is still a cultural force to be reckoned with.