What Happened In 1936? UK Nostalgia For A 90th Birthday

Anyone born in 1936 turns 90 this year, and 1936 is a genuinely extraordinary year to have been born into.

Britain had three kings in twelve months, the BBC started the world's first regular television service, and the country was still in the long shadow of the Depression with another war three years away.

Here's what was going on - useful for a card, a speech, a party quiz, or just for asking better questions at the birthday tea.

Britain in 1936

This political snapshot suits history enthusiasts who love uncovering the dramatic national events of their birth year. It is perfect to use when writing a milestone birthday card or drafting a toast. Try focusing on the sheer pace of national change that year to spark a lively family discussion over the celebratory tea.

• Three kings in one year: George V died in January, Edward VIII abdicated in December, George VI took the throne.
• The BBC launched the world's first regular high-definition television service from Alexandra Palace in November - almost nobody owned a set.
• The Jarrow March: around 200 men walked from Tyneside to London in October over unemployment.
• The Crystal Palace burned down in November, visible for miles across London.
• The Spanish Civil War began, and British volunteers went out to fight in it.

Everyday life and prices

Ideal for grandparents who love reminiscing about the old days, these social details are wonderful to use during a quiet family gathering. A great tip is to compare these vintage domestic realities with our modern comforts to help the younger generation appreciate how much daily life has transformed over nine decades.

• A loaf of bread was around fourpence; a pint was about sixpence.
• Average weekly wages sat around GBP 3 to 4 for a working man.
• Most homes had no fridge, no phone and an outside toilet; the wireless was the family entertainment.
• Rationing was still three years away, but money was tight almost everywhere outside the south east.
• The Butlin's holiday camp idea was a year off, and a holiday usually meant a day at the coast.

Music, film and sport

This cultural digest suits entertainment lovers and sports fans looking to capture the spirit of the era. Use these highlights to build a nostalgic playlist or set the theme for a family get-together. We suggest using these cultural touchstones to trigger fond childhood memories of the golden age of radio and cinema.

• Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in Swing Time; Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times.
• Dance bands and crooners on the wireless - Henry Hall and the BBC Dance Orchestra were the sound of the house.
• Jesse Owens won four golds at the Berlin Olympics.
• Sunderland won the First Division; Arsenal took the FA Cup.
• Penguin paperbacks were a year old and had already changed what ordinary people read.

Using all this for the 90th

Designed for party planners and close family members, these creative ideas are best used when organising the final itinerary for the big celebration. For the best results, try mixing historical facts with interactive elements to keep guests of all generations engaged and talking throughout the afternoon.

• Put one 1936 fact inside the card - three kings in a year always gets a reaction.
• Run a 1936 prices round as a party quiz: guess the loaf, the pint, the weekly wage.
• Hand over a 1936 nostalgia book with the card and let them argue with it.
• Play 1936 to 1956 music at the party rather than 1936 alone - the teenage years matter more than the birth year.
• Speech wording - Read the guide

Key things to remember

• Three kings in one year is the fact to use.
• Prices make the best quiz round.
• Play the music from their teens, not 1936.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in Britain in 1936?

Britain had three kings in one year - George V died, Edward VIII abdicated and George VI succeeded him. The BBC began the first regular television service, the Jarrow March reached London and the Crystal Palace burned down.

How old is someone born in 1936?

Someone born in 1936 turns 90 in 2026, depending on whether their birthday has passed yet this year.

What did things cost in 1936?

Roughly fourpence for a loaf and sixpence for a pint, with average weekly wages for a working man around GBP 3 to 4. Prices make the best party quiz round.

What music and films were popular in 1936?

Swing Time with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Chaplin's Modern Times, and dance band music on the wireless from the likes of Henry Hall.

What's a good gift for someone born in 1936?

A nostalgia book of things only people born in 1936 remember, a newspaper from their birth date, or a framed birth-year print - all cheap, and all of them start the storytelling.

Do you make the 1936 nostalgia book yourselves?

No. We design and print greetings cards, enamel pin badges, prints and party decorations in the UK. Nostalgia books and year keepsakes are recommendations from elsewhere - the only things linked to our own shop are ours.

Where to shop next

• 90th birthday cards
• Birthday cards
• Wall art and prints
• Pin badges
• Party supplies
• Nostalgic gifts for grandparents
• 90th birthday wishes and card messages
• How to plan a 90th birthday party
• 90th birthday gift ideas
• 90th birthday jokes and quotes
• The Back In 1936 book, explained
• 90th birthday family scrapbook
• How to write a 90th birthday speech
• Grandad 90th birthday gifts
• 90th birthday gift ideas for grandma
• 90th birthday party themes
• 90th birthday afternoon tea
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• 90th Birthday Card Messages
• Pin badges
• All guides