Full History Of Hillsborough disaster In Timeline From 1958

1958: Munich air disaster

In 1958, the Munich air disaster caused the deaths of eight Manchester United players, and was sometimes referenced by fans.

1974: Security Standards Put in Place

From 1974, security standards including high steel fencing between spectators and the playing field were put in place at most English football stadiums, in response to pitch invasions and hooliganism. Crushes occurred in several stadiums after these measures were implemented.

1975: Duckenfield Becomes a Freemason

In 1975, David Duckenfield, who was the match commander at the time of the Hillsborough disaster, became a Freemason.

1975: Mention of Safety at Sports Ground Act 1975

In June 2017, Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Club Secretary Graham Mackrell faced a charge of breaching the Safety at Sports Ground Act 1975

1978: Safety Certificate Report by Eastwood & Partners

In 1978, a report by Eastwood & Partners for a safety certificate for Hillsborough stadium concluded that although it failed to meet the recommendations of the Green Guide, the consequences were minor and the situation was satisfactory compared with most grounds.

1979: Leppings Lane End Safety Certificate

In 1979, the Leppings Lane end of the ground did not hold a valid safety certificate at the time of the Hillsborough disaster; it had not been updated since 1979.

1981: Hillsborough not selected for FA Cup Semi-Final

After the crush in 1981, Hillsborough was not selected to host an FA Cup semi-final again until 1987.

1981: Crush at 1981 FA Cup Semi-Final

During the 1981 FA Cup semi-final between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers, a crush occurred at the Leppings Lane end of the ground after hundreds more spectators were permitted to enter the terrace than could safely be accommodated, resulting in 38 injuries.

1984: Division of Leppings Lane Terrace into Pens

In 1984, after Sheffield Wednesday was promoted to the First Division, the Leppings Lane terrace was divided into five pens to restrict sideways movement. However, this and other alterations invalidated the stadium's safety certificate, which was not renewed.

May 1985: Popplewell Inquiry Recommendations

In May 1985, the Committee of Inquiry into Crowd Safety at Sports Grounds (the Popplewell inquiry) highlighted risks associated with confining fans in pens after the Bradford City stadium fire. It made recommendations, including that exit gates should be manned and easily opened in an emergency.

1985: Bradford City stadium fire

In 1985, Bradford City stadium fire claimed 56 lives at Valley Parade.

1986: Removal of Crush Barrier

In 1986, a crush barrier near the access tunnel at the Leppings Lane end was removed to improve the flow of fans entering and exiting the central enclosure.

1987: Request to Delay Kick-off Declined

In 1987, a police constable requested the game be delayed, as had happened previously, to ensure safe passage of supporters. This request to delay the kick-off by 20 minutes was declined.

1987: Overcrowding observed at Hillsborough

In 1987, significant overcrowding was observed at Hillsborough during the quarter-final between Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry City, and again during the semi-final between Coventry City and Leeds United. Leeds fans reported disorganization and dangerous compression in the enclosures.

October 1988: Hazing Prank in South Yorkshire Police

In October 1988, a probationary PC in Chief Superintendent Brian L. Mole's F division, South Yorkshire was handcuffed, photographed, and stripped by fellow officers in a fake robbery, as a hazing prank. Four officers resigned and seven were disciplined over the incident.

1988: Crushing Reported at Hillsborough

In 1988, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest met in the semi-final at Hillsborough, and fans again reported crushing at the Leppings Lane end.

1988: Chartered Trains for Liverpool Supporters

In 1988, three chartered trains transported Liverpool supporters to Sheffield for the semi-final match.

1988: 1988-89 Football League Season

The final match of the 1988-89 Football League Season was contested on May 26, 1989, between Liverpool and Arsenal.

March 1989: Transfer of Chief Superintendent Brian L. Mole

In March 1989, Chief Superintendent Brian L. Mole, who had overseen police presence at the previous year's FA Cup semi-final, was to be transferred to the Barnsley division for "career development reasons", with the transfer effective on 27 March 1989.

March 1989: Hillsborough Accepted as Venue and Planning Meeting

In March 1989, specifically on the 20th, Hillsborough was accepted as the FA Cup semi-final venue. The first planning meeting took place on 22 March, attended by newly promoted Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield instead of Mole, who had previously overseen policing. No known minutes of the meeting exist.

April 1989: Hillsborough Hosts FA Cup Semi-Final

In April 1989, Hillsborough Stadium was selected by the Football Association (FA) as a neutral venue to host the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest Football Clubs. The kick-off was scheduled for 3:00 pm on 15 April 1989.

April 1989: Release of police documents relating to events

In April 1989, The imminent release of police documents relating to events.

April 1989: Tributes at AC Milan vs Real Madrid match and Bradford City vs Lincoln City friendly

In April 1989, during the European Cup semi-final between AC Milan and Real Madrid, a minute's silence was held and Milan fans sang "You'll Never Walk Alone". Also in April 1989, Bradford City and Lincoln City played a friendly match to benefit the Hillsborough victims.

April 1989: Initial media coverage shifts blame onto Liverpool fans

In April 1989, initial media coverage, influenced by "the Heysel factor" and "hooligan hysteria," began to shift the blame for the Hillsborough disaster onto the behavior of Liverpool fans. Several newspapers, including The Sun, Daily Star, Daily Mail, and Daily Express, published allegations accusing fans of being drunk, violent, and responsible for the catastrophe.

April 1989: Edward Pearce criticised for controversial article

In April 1989, journalist Edward Pearce was criticised for writing a controversial article in The Sunday Times in the aftermath of the disaster, during a time when victims' funerals were taking place.

April 1989: Inaccurate reporting and serious allegations in media

In April 1989, several newspapers published inaccurate reports and serious allegations regarding the Hillsborough disaster. These reports included claims of stealing from the dead and assaulting police officers and rescue workers. Evening newspapers on April 15, 1989, also provided inaccurate reporting due to early press deadlines. These reports were later examined in the 2012 Hillsborough Independent Panel report.

April 1989: Celtic F.C. and Liverpool friendly match

On April 30, 1989, a friendly match was organized by Celtic F.C. at Celtic Park between Celtic and Liverpool. The match marked Liverpool's first appearance on the football field since the disaster, with over 60,000 attendees. All match proceeds were donated to the Hillsborough appeal fund. Liverpool won the match 4-0.

April 1989: Hillsborough Disaster

The Hillsborough disaster happened in April 1989.

May 1989: Arsenal Players Present Flowers at Anfield

During the final match of the 1988–89 Football League season, contested on 26 May 1989 between Liverpool and Arsenal, the Arsenal players presented flowers to fans in different parts of Anfield in memory of those who had died in the Hillsborough disaster.

May 1989: Release of "Ferry Cross the Mersey" charity single

In May 1989, a charity version of the song "Ferry Cross the Mersey" was released to aid those affected by the Hillsborough disaster. The record was produced by Stock Aitken Waterman and featured Liverpool musicians Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden, Holly Johnson, and The Christians. It topped the UK Singles Chart on May 20 and remained there for three weeks.

May 1989: FA Cup match restaged at Old Trafford

In May 1989, specifically on the 7th, the abandoned FA Cup semi-final match was restaged at Old Trafford in Manchester. Liverpool won this match and subsequently won the FA Cup that season.

May 1989: Channel 4's After Dark program discusses Hillsborough disaster

On 20 May 1989, five weeks after the Hillsborough disaster, Channel 4's After Dark program broadcast a live discussion called "Football – The Final Whistle?". Guests included bereaved parents who described their experiences at the mortuary and how they were treated.

June 1989: Taylor Inquiry Sittings

Between May 15 and June 29, 1989, the Taylor Inquiry convened for a total of 31 days to investigate the Hillsborough disaster.

August 1989: Interim Taylor Report Published

On August 1, 1989, the interim report of the Taylor Inquiry was published, outlining the events of the day and immediate conclusions regarding the Hillsborough disaster.

October 1989: Police Federation Meeting

In October 1989, SYP chief superintendent John Nesbit briefed Michael Shersby MP at a Police Federation meeting, stating that allowing fans to help with the rescue effort was a deliberate strategy.

1989: FA Cup Final Gesture of Respect

At the 1989 FA Cup final between Liverpool and Everton, held five weeks after the Hillsborough disaster, players from both teams wore black armbands as a gesture of respect to the victims.

1989: The 1989 headline had been an error of judgement

In 1989, The 1989 headline had been an error of judgement.

1989: Referee blows whistle at 3:06 pm

In 1989, The clock at the Kop End stood still at 3:06 pm, the time that the referee had blown his whistle.

1989: West Midlands Police Tasked with Investigation

In 1989, West Midlands Police was tasked with investigating South Yorkshire Police's conduct for the original inquests and the Taylor independent inquiry.

1989: Liverpool Complaint Lodged

In 1989, before the FA Cup semi-final match, Liverpool lodged a complaint regarding the crushing experienced at the Leppings Lane end in the previous year's semi-final.

1989: Delays and Build-up Outside Leppings Lane

In 1989, only one chartered train was provided, transporting 350 passengers. Delays due to roadworks on the M62 and fans not hurrying to enter the stadium led to a build-up of supporters outside the turnstiles facing Leppings Lane between 2:30 pm and 2:40 pm.

1989: Hillsborough Disaster

In 1989, the Hillsborough disaster resulted in the deaths of more than 50 Liverpool football supporters. The Spectator editorial in 2004 mentioned that Liverpool failed to acknowledge the part played in the disaster by drunken fans.

1989: The police smeared [supporters] with a pack of lies which in 1989 the Sun and other media swallowed whole

In 1989, the police smeared [supporters] with a pack of lies which the Sun and other media swallowed whole.

1989: Widespread boycotts of The Sun newspaper

Widespread boycotts of The Sun newspaper throughout Merseyside followed immediately the disaster and continue to this day.

January 1990: Final Taylor Report Published

On January 19, 1990, the final report of the Taylor Inquiry was published, outlining general recommendations on football ground safety in response to the Hillsborough disaster.

November 1990: Resumption of Inquests

In November 1990, the Hillsborough disaster inquests resumed. The coroner limited the scope to events up to 3:15 pm, enraging families who felt the emergency response after that time was not being considered.

1990: Duckenfield Becomes Worshipful Master

In 1990, a year after the Hillsborough disaster, David Duckenfield became the Worshipful Master of his local Freemason lodge.

1990: Disaster appeal fund closed

In 1990, the Hillsborough disaster appeal fund closed, having raised over £12 million. The funds were used to support victims and relatives, and to improve emergency care training.

1990: Taylor Report Findings

In 1990, the Taylor Report determined that the main cause of the Hillsborough disaster was a failure of crowd control by South Yorkshire Police.

1990: Reference to the 1990 Public Inquiry

In May 2021, it was determined that the public inquiry in 1990 was not a statutory inquiry.

March 1991: Accidental Death Verdicts

In March 1991, the inquests returned verdicts of accidental death for the Hillsborough disaster victims. This outcome dismayed bereaved families who sought a verdict of unlawful killing and manslaughter charges.

1991: First Coroner's Inquests

In 1991, the first coroner's inquests into the Hillsborough disaster concluded with verdicts of "accidental death" for all deceased, which was disputed by the families.

July 1992: Relaxation of All-Seater Stadium Regulation

In July 1992, the government announced a relaxation of the all-seater stadium regulation for the lower two English leagues (League One and League Two).

November 1992: High Court Legal Challenge

In November 1992, a legal challenge in the High Court, brought by Tony Bland's family, succeeded in having his artificial feeding and hydration withdrawn. Bland had remained in a persistent vegetative state since the disaster.

1992: Alcock v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police Case

In 1992, the case of Alcock v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police was appealed to the House of Lords, clarifying the law on claims of secondary victims for negligently inflicted psychiatric injury. Claimants who watched the disaster on television or listened on the radio were not 'proximal' and their claims were rejected.

March 1993: Death Toll Reaches 96

In March 1993, the death toll reached 96 when artificial feeding and hydration were withdrawn from Tony Bland, who had remained in a persistent vegetative state for nearly four years after the disaster.

1993: MacKenzie expresses regret for Hillsborough coverage

In 1993, Kelvin MacKenzie, former editor of The Sun, told a House of Commons committee that he regretted the Hillsborough coverage, stating that his mistake was believing what an MP said.

1993: Death of Tony Bland

In 1993, Tony Bland, who had suffered irreversible brain damage during the Hillsborough disaster, died in hospital.

1993: Landmark House of Lords decision in Airedale N.H.S. Trust v Bland

In 1993, the House of Lords made a landmark decision in the case of Airedale N.H.S. Trust v Bland, allowing the life-support machine of Tony Bland, a Hillsborough victim in a persistent vegetative state, to be switched off.

1994: The Cook Report investigates Hillsborough disaster

In 1994, Roger Cook led an investigation into the Hillsborough disaster in Series 9, Episode 3 of The Cook Report, entitled "Kevin's Mum".

1996: Bob Marley song re-released

A Bob Marley song was re-released in 1996. The Topman T-shirt in March 2018 featured the text "Karma" which they said was in reference to the song.

1996: Hillsborough drama produced by Granada Television

In 1996, Granada Television produced a television drama titled Hillsborough based on the disaster and subsequent events. The film was aired for the first time in 1996.

1996: Sir Bernard Ingham's comments about Hillsborough cause controversy

In 1996, Sir Bernard Ingham caused controversy with his comments about the Hillsborough disaster, blaming "tanked up yobs". Calls were made to strip him of his knighthood after the inquest verdict.

March 1997: Andrew Devine Emerges from Persistent Vegetative State

In March 1997, it was reported that Andrew Devine, who had been in a persistent vegetative state since the disaster, had emerged from the condition and was able to communicate. He had been showing signs of awareness for up to three years prior.

May 1997: Home Secretary Orders Investigation

In May 1997, after the Labour Party came into office, Home Secretary Jack Straw ordered an investigation into the Hillsborough disaster, led by Lord Justice Stuart-Smith.

October 1997: Stuart-Smith's Controversial Remark

In October 1997, during a meeting with relatives of those involved in Hillsborough, Lord Justice Stuart-Smith made a flippant remark about Liverpool fans, which he later apologized for.

1997: BAFTA Award for Best Single Drama

In 1997, Hillsborough won the BAFTA Award for Best Single Drama.

1997: Jack Straw's Review of the Disaster

In 1997, Home Secretary Jack Straw conducted a review of the Hillsborough disaster, which later faced criticism and led to an apology in 2012.

1997: Lord Justice Stuart-Smith's Conclusion

In 1997, Lord Justice Stuart-Smith concluded that there was no justification for a new inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster.

February 1998: Stuart-Smith Report Presented

In February 1998, Lord Justice Stuart-Smith presented his report concluding there was insufficient evidence for a new inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster.

1998: James Jones Becomes Bishop of Liverpool

In 1998, James Jones became the Bishop of Liverpool.

1998: Hillsborough film re-aired

In 1998, the Hillsborough film was re-aired.

1999: 10th Anniversary and Lingering Effects

By the 10th anniversary of the disaster in 1999, at least three survivors were known to have taken their own lives. Other survivors experienced psychiatric issues, alcoholism, drug abuse, and collapsed marriages, attributed to the lingering effects of the disaster.

1999: Memorial service held at Anfield on tenth anniversary

In 1999, on the tenth anniversary of the disaster, a memorial service was held at Anfield, attended by approximately 10,000 people. Candles were lit for each of the 96 victims. A minute's silence was observed at 3:06 pm, and floral tributes were laid at a plaque bearing the victims' names. The ceremony concluded with a performance of "You'll Never Walk Alone".

1999: Psychiatric injury claim dismissed by House of Lords

In 1999, the House of Lords dismissed the psychiatric injury claim in White v Chief Constable of the South Yorkshire Police. The claim, brought by police officers, was dismissed, upholding the Alcock decision and affirming the courts' position on psychiatric injury claims from secondary victims.

February 2000: Private Prosecution Brought Against Duckenfield and Murray

In February 2000, a private prosecution was brought against Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield and another officer, Bernard Murray, for gross negligence.

July 2000: Prosecution Ends; Murray Acquitted, Jury Unable to Reach Verdict on Duckenfield

In July 2000, Bernard Murray was acquitted, and the jury was unable to reach a verdict in the case of David Duckenfield. The judge refused a retrial for Duckenfield.

2000: Failed Private Prosecutions

In 2000, private prosecutions brought by the Hillsborough Family Support Group against David Duckenfield and Bernard Murray failed.

November 2002: FHM magazine withdrawn after mocking Hillsborough disaster

In November 2002, the Australian edition of FHM magazine was withdrawn from sale after publishing jokes mocking the Hillsborough disaster. The publisher, Emap Australia, apologized and pledged a donation to the victims' families. The British edition disassociated itself from the controversy.

2002: Hillsborough Family Support Group calls for boycott of FHM

In 2002, following jokes made about the disaster in FHM magazine, Philip Hammond, vice-chairman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, called for a boycott of the magazine, urging football fans to ban it.

October 2004: The Spectator criticised for editorial linking Liverpool's reaction to Bigley's death to Hillsborough

In October 2004, The Spectator faced criticism for an editorial following the death of Kenneth Bigley in Iraq. The editorial claimed that Liverpool's reaction was influenced by Bigley being from Liverpool, criticized "drunken" fans at Hillsborough, and urged them to accept responsibility for their "role" in the disaster.

2004: The Sun issues apology following criticism over Rooney coverage

In 2004, after Wayne Rooney gave exclusive interviews to The Sun, causing backlash in Liverpool, The Sun issued a front-page apology for "the most terrible mistake in its history," and criticized the Liverpool Echo and Liverpool Post.

2006: MacKenzie claims apology was under instruction

At a dinner in 2006, Kelvin MacKenzie claimed that he had only apologized for The Sun's Hillsborough coverage under the instruction of Rupert Murdoch, maintaining that he believed he had told the truth.

November 2007: EastEnders episode causes controversy with Hillsborough reference

In November 2007, the BBC soap opera EastEnders caused controversy when the character Minty Peterson referenced the Hillsborough disaster. This prompted complaints, and the BBC apologized, explaining the character's intent was to highlight how hooliganism led to the fencing-in of fans.

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2007: Annual Hillsborough Memorial service held at Spion Kop, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

From 2007, an annual Hillsborough Memorial service was held at Spion Kop, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The ceremony took place on the Spion Kop Battlefield, which inspired the name of the Kop Stand at Anfield.

2008: Permanent memorial commissioned at Spion Kop

In 2008, a permanent memorial to the 96 fans who died was commissioned at Spion Kop, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, in the form of a bench in view of the battlefield at a nearby lodge.

April 2009: Government Investigation into Public Disclosure

In April 2009, after the disaster's 20th anniversary, the government, supported by Andy Burnham and Maria Eagle, initiated an investigation into the best way to make relevant documents public. Jacqui Smith requested secret files concerning the disaster be made public.

April 2009: Teams wear black armbands during Champions League quarter-final matches

In April 2009, players from Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United wore black armbands during their Champions League quarter-final matches as a sign of respect.

April 2009: Tribute and memorial wreath at Liverpool vs. Blackburn Rovers game

On April 11, 2009, Liverpool fans sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" as a tribute before the home game against Blackburn Rovers. Former Liverpool player Stephen Warnock presented a memorial wreath to the Kop, displaying the number 96 in red flowers.

August 2009: Project 96 fundraising initiative launched

On August 1, 2009, the Hillsborough Family Support Group launched Project 96, a fundraising initiative aiming to raise £96,000 by auctioning a limited edition of 96 signed photographs from current and former Liverpool footballers, coinciding with the upcoming release of police documents related to the events of April 1989.

December 2009: Hillsborough Independent Panel's Remit Outlined

In December 2009, Home Secretary Alan Johnson defined the Hillsborough Independent Panel's remit to include overseeing full public disclosure and consulting with the Hillsborough families.

2009: Anne Williams' Appeal to European Court of Human Rights

In 2009, Anne Williams unsuccessfully appealed to the European Court of Human Rights, challenging the coroner's decision that Hillsborough victims, including her son Kevin, had died before 3:15 pm. She cited witness statements indicating he was alive at 4:00 pm.

2009: Liverpool goalkeeper accused of disrespect during remembrance ceremony

In 2009, Liverpool goalkeeper Charles Itandje was accused of disrespecting the Hillsborough victims during the remembrance ceremony, and was suspended from the club for a fortnight.

2009: Steven Cohen makes controversial statements about Hillsborough

In 2009, Steven Cohen, a presenter on Fox Soccer Channel and Sirius satellite radio, stated that Liverpool fans "without tickets" were the "root cause" of the disaster. A boycott led to an apology and his replacement as presenter.

2009: Formation of Hillsborough Independent Panel

In 2009, a Hillsborough Independent Panel was formed to review the evidence related to the Hillsborough disaster.

2009: Liverpool's Champions League match rescheduled for 20th anniversary

In 2009, on the 20th anniversary of the disaster, Liverpool's request to reschedule their Champions League quarter-finals return leg, originally set for April 15, to the day before was granted.

2009: Hillsborough film re-aired

In 2009, the Hillsborough film was re-aired.

June 2010: Jeremy Hunt apologizes for comments linking Hillsborough to fan unrest

In June 2010, following England's World Cup departure, UK Culture and Sport Secretary Jeremy Hunt apologized for comments that linked the Hillsborough disaster to fan unrest, after praising England fans' behavior. Margaret Aspinall requested a meeting with him.

February 2011: Suicide of Stephen Whittle

In February 2011, Stephen Whittle took his own life at age 50. It is believed that survivor guilt was the primary cause, as he had sold his ticket to a friend who died in the Hillsborough disaster.

October 2011: Sir Oliver Popplewell compares Hillsborough families to Bradford fire relatives

In October 2011, Sir Oliver Popplewell, who chaired the inquiry into the 1985 Bradford City stadium fire, called on the Hillsborough victims' families to emulate the "quiet dignity" of the Bradford families, and not seek "endless further inquiries".

2011: Victims' names read in House of Commons and recorded in Hansard

During a 2011 debate in the House of Commons, Steve Rotheram, the Labour MP for Liverpool Walton, read out a list of the victims' names, resulting in their inclusion in the Hansard transcripts.

September 2012: Alex Ferguson and Manchester United fan groups call for end to sick chants

Following the findings of the Independent Panel in September 2012, Alex Ferguson and two Manchester United fan groups called for an end to "sick chants" referencing the Hillsborough disaster. Leeds United chairman Ken Bates endorsed this call.

September 2012: Hillsborough film re-aired after panel findings

In September 2012, the Hillsborough film was re-aired shortly after the release of the findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel.

September 2012: David Crompton emails question families' version of events

On 8 September 2012, four days before the Hillsborough Independent Panel Report's publication, David Crompton emailed that families' "version of certain events has become 'the truth' even though it isn't".

September 2012: Hillsborough Independent Panel's Conclusions

On September 12, 2012, the Hillsborough Independent Panel concluded that Liverpool fans were not responsible for the disaster, citing lack of police control as the main cause. The panel estimated that better emergency services could have saved up to 41 lives.

September 2012: Hillsborough Independent Panel Report Published

On September 12, 2012, the Hillsborough Independent Panel published its report and launched a website containing 450,000 pages of material about the disaster and its aftermath.

October 2012: IPCC Investigation and Attorney General Announcement

By October 22, 2012, 1,444 police officers had been referred to the IPCC investigation. On October 16, the Attorney General applied to have the original inquests' verdicts quashed.

October 2012: Norman Bettison Resignation

In October 2012, Norman Bettison resigned as chief constable of West Yorkshire Police after being accused of boasting about concocting a story blaming Liverpool fans. He denied the allegations.

October 2012: IPCC Announces Investigation

In October 2012, the IPCC announced it would investigate the police failure to declare a major incident, failure to close the tunnel, changes made to police officers' statements, and other shortcomings.

October 2012: IPCC Receives Correspondence

Since October 2012, the IPCC's Hillsborough Contact team had received 230 pieces of correspondence.

December 2012: New Police Inquiry Initiated

In December 2012, Home Secretary Theresa May announced a new police inquiry to examine the possibility of charging agencies other than the police over the Hillsborough deaths.

December 2012: High Court Quashes Original Inquests

In December 2012, following an application by the Attorney General, the High Court quashed the verdicts of the original Hillsborough inquests and ordered fresh inquests to be held.

2012: James Murdoch apologizes for The Sun's coverage

In 2012, James Murdoch made a full apology for The Sun's coverage of the Hillsborough disaster while appearing at a hearing of the House of Commons Select committee dealing with the News International phone hacking scandal.

2012: Hillsborough Independent Panel report

In 2012, The Hillsborough Independent Panel report examined the media reports and others .

2012: The Sun publishes "The Real Truth" apology

In 2012, The Sun published a front-page apology titled "The Real Truth," expressing deep shame and sorrow for publishing an inaccurate and offensive story about the events at Hillsborough.

2012: MacKenzie issues statement after publication of Hillsborough report

In 2012, after the publication of the report exonerating the Liverpool fans, Kelvin MacKenzie issued a statement expressing regret that The Sun published untrue allegations against the fans, claiming that he had published in good faith based on information from a reputable news agency.

2012: High Court inquest in progress

In 2012, due to the High Court inquest still being in progress, the Hillsborough documentary could not be shown in the UK upon initial release.

2012: Boris Johnson apologizes for The Spectator's comments

In 2012, following the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report, Boris Johnson apologized for The Spectator's comments regarding the disaster. However, Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, rejected his apology.

2012: Jack Straw Apologizes for 1997 Review Failures

In 2012, former Home Secretary Jack Straw apologized for the failures of his 1997 review of the Hillsborough disaster.

July 2013: IPCC Finds Additional Altered Police Statements

In July 2013, the IPCC reported that a further 55 police officers, in addition to the known 164, had changed their statements.

2013: James Jones Ends Tenure as Bishop of Liverpool

In 2013, James Jones concluded his service as the Bishop of Liverpool.

2013: Formal complaint made against David Crompton

In 2013, a formal complaint was made against David Crompton, South Yorkshire's chief constable, over internal emails relating to the Hillsborough disaster.

March 2014: Inquests Hearings Started

In March 2014, the Hillsborough inquest hearings started at Warrington, with Sir John Goldring appointed as Assistant Coroner.

April 2014: Start of Second Coroner's Inquests

In April 2014, specifically on April 1st, the second coroner's inquests into the Hillsborough disaster began, continuing until April 2016.

April 2014: ESPN airs 'Hillsborough' documentary

On April 15, 2014, the 25th anniversary of the disaster, ESPN aired the documentary Hillsborough in the US as part of its 30 for 30 series.

June 2014: Civil servant sacked for offensive Wikipedia comments

In June 2014, an unnamed British civil servant was dismissed for posting offensive comments about the Hillsborough disaster on Wikipedia.

2014: Estimated losses for The Sun's owners since the disaster

In 2014, it was estimated that the owners of The Sun had lost £15 million per month since the disaster, in 1989 prices, due to widespread boycotts.

2014: FA Cup, Premier League, Football League, and Football Conference matches delayed to mark 25th anniversary

In 2014, to mark the 25th anniversary of the disaster, the FA decided that all FA Cup, Premier League, Football League, and Football Conference matches played between April 11 and 14 would kick-off seven minutes later than originally scheduled with a six-minute delay and a one-minute silence tribute.

March 2016: David Crompton announces retirement

In March 2016, David Crompton announced that he would retire in November.

April 2016: Spectator's comments recirculated after Hillsborough inquest verdict

Following the April 2016 verdict of unlawful killing at the Hillsborough inquest's second hearing, The Spectator's controversial comments were widely circulated.

April 2016: Limited coverage of unlawful killing verdict by The Sun and The Times

Following the April 2016 verdict of unlawful killing, The Sun and the first print edition of The Times (both owned by News International), did not feature the stories on their front pages, with The Sun relegating the story to pages 8 and 9. An apology appeared on page 10, reiterating that the 1989 headline had been an error of judgement.

April 2016: Times staffers outrage over Hillsborough inquest verdict coverage

In April 2016, Times staffers in the sports department expressed outrage over the paper's decision to cover the 26 April inquest, which ruled the 96 deaths unlawful, only on an inside spread and the sports pages. Some claimed there was a "mutiny" in the sports department. The Times later tweeted a correction.

April 2016: Crompton suspended after inquest verdict

In April 2016, after the inquest jury delivered a verdict affirming all charges against the police, David Crompton was suspended from duty as South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner after criticism.

April 2016: Action launched in High Court against SYP and West Midlands Police

In April 2016, an action was launched in the High Court on behalf of victims' relatives against both SYP and the West Midlands Police force, alleging misfeasance in public office, involving a concerted cover-up to shift blame away from the police.

April 2016: Responses to the April 2016 Verdict

In April 2016, following the verdict, Prime Minister David Cameron called it a "landmark moment", and the Labour Party described the handling of the disaster as the "greatest miscarriage of justice".

April 2016: Unlawful Killing Verdict

In April 2016, specifically on April 26th, the second coroner's inquests ruled that the Hillsborough disaster supporters were unlawfully killed due to grossly negligent failures by police and ambulance services. The inquests also found stadium design contributed and supporters were not to blame.

April 2016: Crown Prosecution Service to Consider Charges

In April 2016, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that it would consider bringing charges against individuals and corporate bodies after the completion of the IPCC's criminal investigation.

April 2016: Jury Returns Verdict of Unlawful Killing

In April 2016, the jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing in respect of all 96 victims. Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, responded to the verdict.

April 2016: Theresa May Commissions Report on Hillsborough Families Experiences

In April 2016, then Home Secretary Theresa May commissioned Bishop James Jones to produce a report on the experiences of the Hillsborough families.

May 2016: BBC Radio 4 repeats The Reunion episode on Hillsborough

On May 1, 2016, BBC Radio 4 repeated an episode of their series The Reunion on the subject of Hillsborough, following the Hillsborough inquest ruling that the 96 Liverpool football fans died unlawfully.

May 2016: Hillsborough film re-aired on ITV

On May 1, 2016, the Hillsborough film was re-aired on ITV.

May 2016: BBC airs Hillsborough documentary with inquest footage

On May 8, 2016, after the inquest verdict, the BBC aired the Hillsborough documentary, including additional footage from the inquest and its final verdict.

2016: Final official memorial service held at Anfield, cessation of Spion Kop memorials

Following the Hillsborough families' decision to conclude official memorials at Anfield, it was decided in 2016 not to hold any further memorials at Spion Kop, though the memorial bench remains at Spion Kop Lodge.

2016: Evidence at Warrington Inquests

In 2016, Drs Ashton and Phillips, Merseyside doctors who had been inside the stadium and critical of the emergency response, gave evidence at the Warrington inquests. They stated their evidence was excluded from the original inquest.

2016: FHM magazine discontinued

In 2016, FHM magazine was discontinued for reasons unrelated to the Hillsborough disaster.

2016: 96 victims nominated posthumously for freedom of Liverpool

In 2016, The original 96 victims nominated posthumously for the freedom of the city of Liverpool.

2016: The Sun issues further apology following second inquest

In 2016, following the second inquest verdict of unlawful killing, The Sun published images of the 96 victims and an editorial apologizing "unreservedly" for the lies and smears published in 1989. A lengthier apology was published online.

February 2017: Liverpool F.C. bans The Sun journalists

In February 2017, Liverpool F.C. banned The Sun journalists from entering their grounds in response to the newspaper's coverage of Hillsborough.

April 2017: Everton F.C. follows Liverpool's ban on The Sun journalists

In April 2017, on the eve of the 28th anniversary of the disaster, Everton F.C. followed Liverpool's ban on The Sun journalists. This came after a column by Kelvin MacKenzie concerning Everton footballer Ross Barkley, leading to MacKenzie's suspension as a contributor to the newspaper.

June 2017: Charges Filed Against Six People

In June 2017, six people were charged with offenses, including manslaughter by gross negligence, misconduct in public office, and perverting the course of justice, for their actions during and after the Hillsborough disaster.

June 2017: Six People Charged with Offences

On 28 June 2017, it was announced that six people would be charged with offences, including Duckenfield for manslaughter, Bettinson for misconduct, and Mackrell for breaching the Safety at Sports Ground Act 1975.

August 2017: Court Appearances in Warrington

In August 2017, five of the accused appeared at Warrington Magistrates Court; Duckenfield did not appear. Mackrell pleaded not guilty. The others were bailed to appear at the Crown Court in September.

November 2017: Report Published: The Patronising Disposition of Unaccountable Power

In November 2017, Bishop James Jones published his report, titled "The patronising disposition of unaccountable power: A report to ensure that the pain and suffering of the Hillsborough families is not repeated."

December 2017: Decision Not to Prosecute in Police Horse Allegation Case

In December 2017, it was announced that a police officer and a farrier would not be prosecuted over allegations that they fabricated a story about a police horse being burned with cigarettes at Hillsborough.

March 2018: Topman T-shirt withdrawn after Hillsborough mockery accusations

In March 2018, Topman marketed a T-shirt seen as mocking the Hillsborough disaster, featuring the number 96 and the text "Karma". Topman apologized and withdrew the item.

June 2018: Ruling Made for Duckenfield Prosecution

On 29 June 2018, a ruling was made that Duckenfield would be prosecuted on the manslaughter charges.

August 2018: Charges Against Bettison Dropped

On 21 August 2018, it was announced that all charges against Norman Bettison were being dropped due to insufficient evidence. Representatives of the victims stated they would be asking for an independent review of the decision.

September 2018: Duckenfield and Mackrell Plead Not Guilty

At a trial preparation hearing at Preston Crown Court on 10 September 2018, Duckenfield pleaded not guilty to all 95 charges, and Mackrell pleaded not guilty to the two charges against him.

January 2019: Trial Starts at Preston Crown Court

On 14 January 2019, the trial of Duckenfield and Mackrell started at Preston Crown Court.

March 2019: Duckenfield Not to Give Evidence; Mackrell to Be Found Not Guilty on Safety Certificate Charge

On 13 March 2019, it was reported that Duckenfield would not give evidence and that the jury would be directed to find Mackrell not guilty on the charge of contravening the stadium's safety certificate.

November 2019: Duckenfield Found Not Guilty of Gross Negligence Manslaughter

On 28 November 2019, David Duckenfield was found not guilty of gross negligence manslaughter.

2019: Merseyside sales of The Sun estimated to have dropped

In 2019, it was reported that Merseyside sales of The Sun were estimated to drop from 55,000 per day to 12,000 per day, an 80% decrease due to widespread boycotts.

April 2021: Settlement agreement reached in High Court action

In April 2021, an agreement was reached to settle the High Court case launched in 2016 on behalf of victims' relatives against South Yorkshire Police and West Midlands Police, which alleged misfeasance in public office. Reporting restrictions were put in place due to the pending trial of Denton, Foster and Metcalf, but these were later lifted after it was found that they did not have a case to answer.

May 2021: Denton, Foster, and Metcalfe Found Not Guilty

On 26 May 2021, Denton, Foster, and Metcalfe were found not guilty of perverting the course of justice due to the public inquiry not being a statutory inquiry.

December 2021: Andrew Devine nominated posthumously for freedom of Liverpool

In December 2021, Liverpool City Council nominated Andrew Devine posthumously for the freedom of the city of Liverpool, an honor previously given to the original 96 victims in 2016.

2021: Death of Andrew Devine

In 2021, Andrew Devine died as a consequence of injuries sustained at Hillsborough. The coroner ruled that he had been unlawfully killed, making him the 97th fatality of the disaster.

2021: Death of 97th Hillsborough Victim

In 2021, a 97th person, who had suffered irreversible brain damage on the day of the Hillsborough disaster, passed away.

January 2022: Anne docudrama airs on ITV

In January 2022, a four-part docudrama titled Anne, about Anne Williams' campaign to reveal the truth about her son's death, aired on ITV.

April 2023: Single seat added to Spion Kop memorial for Andrew Devine

In April 2023, a single seat was added to the Hillsborough memorial bench at Spion Kop Lodge, commemorating the 97th victim, Andrew Devine.

December 2023: Government Responds to Report and Signs Hillsborough Charter

In December 2023, the government issued its response to the Hillsborough families' report and signed the Hillsborough Charter, committing to transparency. A 'Hillsborough Law' was rejected.