The death of Baroness Thatcher – 8th April 2013
This morning, news broke that Britain’s first woman Prime Minister, Baroness Thatcher had died from a stroke at the age of 87.
An often controversial figure, Margaret Thatcher dominated the 1980’s and was Prime Minister between 1979 and 1990, overseeing such events as the Falklands War as well as the privatisation of many state-owned industries and the infamous Miner’s Strike.
For me, being just five years old, when she came to power in 1979, she was someone who dominated most of my childhood and I watched her tenure with increasing interest as I grew older. She sparked a lifetime’s interest in politics and the 1987 General Election was the first that I can remember staying up late to watch as some of the results began to come in. I particularly remember the leadership battle which eventually resulted in her tearful farewell from Downing Street and her gradual decline in health in more recent years.
Here’s how the news broke on Twitter:
Baroness Thatcher has died this morning follow a stroke, her spokesman Lord Bell says
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) April 8, 2013
Press Association reports death of Baroness Thatcher
— Hugh Pym (@BBCHughPym) April 8, 2013
Breaking: Baroness Thatcher has died this morning following a stroke
— Telegraph News (@TelegraphNews) April 8, 2013
Margaret Thatcher died this morning following a stroke according to her spokesman Lord Bell – @pressassoc
— Breaking News (@BreakingNews) April 8, 2013
Margaret Thatcher died today.A great lady she changed the face of British politics, created opportunity for anyone to succeed in the UK.RIP
— Lord Sugar (@Lord_Sugar) April 8, 2013
Margaret Thatcher has died.
— Andrew Neil (@afneil) April 8, 2013
Former UK Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher has died following a stroke http://t.co/TLlsgSYMDY
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) April 8, 2013
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 8, 2013
Sad but inevitable news about Baroness Thatcher. Another part of my childhood slips away.
— Phil Bray (@PhilBray) April 8, 2013
The dominant figure of post war British politics is dead. Love her or loathe her Margaret Thatcher shaped this country as few others did
— Nick Robinson (@bbcnickrobinson) April 8, 2013
Nick Robinson's #Thatcher obit package on BBC News seems to have been prepared months or years in advance. Much like Twitter's own reaction.
— Q A Pesto (@Quaristice) April 8, 2013
The Queen "sad" to hear news of Baroness #Thatcher's death & will send private message of sympathy to family http://t.co/2WPkhMqX71
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) April 8, 2013
For my generation, hard to imagine a world without Margaret Thatcher. We still define ourselves by whether we were for or against her
— Robert Peston (@Peston) April 8, 2013
Obituary: Margaret Thatcher, one of the most influential political figures of the 20th Century http://t.co/BZu451bket
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) April 8, 2013
It was with great sadness that I learned of Lady Thatcher’s death. We have lost a great leader, a great Prime Minister, and a great Briton.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) April 8, 2013
Very sad to hear of death of Baroness Thatcher. Her memory will live long after the world has forgotten the grey suits of today's politics.
— Boris Johnson (@MayorofLondon) April 8, 2013
Very few divide opinion like Baroness Thatcher. Loved and loathed in equal measure, but remembered by all.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 8, 2013
VIDEO: Life of Baroness #Thatcher, who has died aged 87 http://t.co/CEZyVOSmvX
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) April 8, 2013
Baroness Thatcher to receive "ceremonial funeral with military honours at St Paul's Cathedral", Downing Street says http://t.co/iAgYvRbUWF
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) April 8, 2013
She changed our country forever and all of us owe so much to her. A legacy few will ever equal. Rest in peace Margaret
— William Hague (@WilliamJHague) April 8, 2013
Funeral service for Margaret Thatcher to be held at St Paul's Cathedral, Downing Street announces – @BBCNews
— Breaking News UK (@BreakingNewsUK) April 8, 2013
Prime Minister David Cameron on the death of Lady Thatcher: "She didn't just lead our country; she saved our country."
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) April 8, 2013
Margaret Thatcher's @Telegraph obituary http://t.co/1opqlvMZVZ
— Telegraph News (@TelegraphNews) April 8, 2013
Flag at Houses of Parliament in London at half-mast after Baroness #Thatcher's death pic.twitter.com/WlzXVlmySU – via @rosschawkins
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) April 8, 2013
Genuinely disappointed that Douglas Hurd doesn't have Mr Whippy hair anymore.
— Q A Pesto (@Quaristice) April 8, 2013
"World has lost great champion of freedom & liberty… America has lost true friend" – US President Obama on Thatcher http://t.co/amJ3TOgos7
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) April 8, 2013
Now all flags along Whitehall on top of government buildings + House of Commons also flying at half-mast in respect for Baroness #Thatcher
— Andrew Hough (@andrew_hough) April 8, 2013
She inspired, she divided – but she always believed http://t.co/TqCyEEIiI5
— Nick Robinson (@bbcnickrobinson) April 8, 2013
https://twitter.com/TheMontyDon/status/321273449379151872
https://twitter.com/TheMontyDon/status/321278192985993217
Is this the last time the death of a former British Prime Minister is a huge global news phenomenon?
— Andrew Neil (@afneil) April 8, 2013
The Union Flag at @RBWM council buildings is being flown at half mast today to mark the death of Baroness #Thatcher, PM from 1979-1990.
— MaidenheadAdvertiser (@MaidenheadAds) April 8, 2013
91yr old friend of Thatcher's tells me, 'She won a prize when she was 8, a lady said, 'well done!'-she said, 'no, I deserved it!'
— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) April 8, 2013
Baroness #Thatcher died at Ritz Hotel in London, where she had been staying, it emerges http://t.co/va1PdXwZ9D
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) April 8, 2013
Our front page from 5 May 1979: 'Mrs Thatcher takes over' #Thatcher pic.twitter.com/7uWPgl713e
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) April 8, 2013
UK Parliament to be recalled on Wednesday, Prime Minister David Cameron confirms http://t.co/1uMF2eRdGd #Thatcher
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) April 8, 2013
It's disgusting how some people are reacting to Thatchers death. You may not agree with what she did but she is someone's mother and grandma
— Chrissy Speer (@ChrissyAs) April 8, 2013
Labour quick at this time to criticize the thatcher era – silent when it comes down to what they would have done differently.
— Pedro Miguel (@DataMan2000) April 8, 2013
Watch Prime Minister David Cameron's statement following the death of Lady Thatcher. http://t.co/jU5lDaaSfN
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) April 8, 2013
The 1st volume of Margaret Thatcher's authorized biography will be published immediately after her funeral – @AP
— Breaking News UK (@BreakingNewsUK) April 8, 2013
Tuesday's Daily Telegraph front page: 'Margaret Thatcher 1925-2013' #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/tobIklpmL8
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) April 8, 2013
“@suttonnick: Tuesday's Times front page wrap #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/U0IF0y686m” Times wins best cover?
— Rory Cellan-Jones (@ruskin147) April 8, 2013
To commemorate the passing of the Iron Lady, in the centre of these London lights is #10 Downing Street. pic.twitter.com/zhJt6OFHkc
— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) April 8, 2013
Brilliant montage of tomorrow's front pages, via @suttonnick pic.twitter.com/g21lp9W7Wt
— Robert Peston (@Peston) April 8, 2013
Audio slideshow of Baroness Thatcher's No 10 years http://t.co/CZHTEIyq09 lots of memories here from my childhood
— Paul Baker (@maidbloke) April 8, 2013
Iron Lady dies / dominant throughout her life / either loved or loathed #haiku #Thatcher #RIPMargaretThatcher
— Phil Bray (@PhilBray) April 8, 2013
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