London - A Brief History: Part 5 - World Wars, 20th Century and London Today
London - A Brief History: Part 5 - World Wars, 20th Century and London Today
World Wars and the 20th Century London
The Blitz Devastation in London Source: National Archives |
London’s unemployment
grew rapidly during the Great Depression of the 1930s, only to be followed by
World War II. During The Blitz, London suffered extensive damage, and again
fires raged through the City of London destroying it. Over one million houses
in London were destroyed, and the death toll reached 40,000. Many escaped to
the countryside, fearing for their lives.
London went through a
massive rebuilding project after WWII, and the 1950s and 1960s saw big tower
blocks being built to house Londoners. During this time, many immigrants came
to the city from the Commonwealth countries – Indians, Jamaicans, Pakistanis
and Bangladeshis made their way to the city, making it a truly multicultural
place.
London’s population
was decreasing, though, and had dropped from 8.6 million before WWII to 6.8
million in the 1980s. This began to increase again from the mid-1980s onwards.
Present Day London
London today is a
cosmopolitan city with international repute. The city has an official
population of more than 8.6 million people, matching its peak in 1939. The city
is still growing, however, and its population is expected to reach 10 million
by 2029.
London has twenty post
codes, thirty-two boroughs and, at the time of writing, has Sadiq Khan as its
mayor.
The city has not lost
its unique historical influence, though, as it boasts four heritage sites: Kew
Gardens; the areas of the Palace of Westminster, St Margaret’s Church and
Westminster Abbey; the Tower of London; and Maritime Greenwich.
London is also an
education hub with students from around the world flocking to the city annually
in search of fine education. The city boasts high calibre colleges like the
London school of Economics, Royal Academy of Music and the London Business
School.
In terms of tourism,
London attracts over 31 million tourists annually and possesses a vibrant
economy. Measured in terms of international visitors, London is the most
visited city in the world.
Today’s London is
truly amazing. It has evolved to become the multicultural centre of Europe and
an economic, educational and tourist hub. The future of the city looks brighter
than ever.Go Back and Read Part 4 - Industrial Revolution or read from the beginning with Part 1 - Roman London.