History of Parliament in Timeline

A parliament is the legislative body of a state, responsible for representing the electorate, creating laws, and overseeing the executive branch through hearings and inquiries. Functionally similar to senates or congresses, it is the core institution in parliamentary systems where powers are fused. Predominantly found in current or former monarchies, the term sometimes extends to legislatures in presidential systems. Parliaments consist of elected members who serve as legislators.

1911: Parliament Act 1911

In 1911, the Parliament Act 1911 removed the veto power of the House of Lords over a great deal of legislation.

March 4, 1917: Founding of the Central Council of Ukraine

On March 4, 1917, the Central Council of Ukraine, or the Central Rada, was founded.

1918: End of regular sessions until 1946

In 1918, the Diet of Hungary's regular sessions were interrupted and did not resume until 1946.

1918: Declaration of full state independence

In 1918, the Ukrainian People's Republic declared its full state independence in the Fourth Universal of the Ukrainian Central Council.

1921: Reference to Constitutions

In 1921, the powers of the Senate are limited, as in the Constitutions of 1921 and 1992.

1946: Resumption of regular sessions

In 1946, the Diet of Hungary resumed its regular sessions after an interruption that began in 1918.

1949: Parliament Act 1949

In 1949, the Parliament Act 1949 further reduced the power of the House of Lords.

April 1989: Signing of the Round Table Agreement

On 5 April 1989, the Round Table Talks ended in the signing of the Round Table Agreement, spearheading the evolutionary transformation of Poland's political system and paving the way for regained independence.

December 1989: Amendment to the Constitution

On 29 December 1989, an amendment to the Constitution defined the Republic of Poland as a democratic state ruled by law.

October 1992: Signing of the Small Constitution

On 17 October 1992, the President signed the Small Constitution, regulating the relationship between the executive and legislative powers based on the doctrine of separation of powers, while maintaining a bicameral parliament.

1992: Reference to Constitutions

In 1992, the powers of the Senate are limited, as in the Constitutions of 1921 and 1992.

April 1997: Adoption of The Constitution of the Republic of Poland

On 2 April 1997, the National Assembly adopted The Constitution of the Republic of Poland which is the first Constitution of the Third Republic.

October 1997: Enforcement of The Constitution of the Republic of Poland

On 17 October 1997, The Constitution of the Republic of Poland entered into force.

1997: Devolution by Westminster

From 1997, Westminster devolved powers to the national legislatures, but these legislatures do not have complete power over their respective countries of the United Kingdom.

1997: Scottish devolution referendum

In 1997, the Scottish devolution referendum took place.

1998: Passing of the Scotland Act

In 1998, the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed the Scotland Act.

July 1999: Reconvening of the Scottish Parliament

On July 1, 1999, the Scottish Parliament was reconvened, with limited powers compared to its 18th-century predecessor.

1999: Establishment of the Scottish Parliament

Since 1999, there has been a Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

2004: Parliament sits at the new Scottish Parliament Building

Since 2004, the Scottish Parliament has been sitting at its newly constructed Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh.

October 2009: Opening of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom

In October 2009, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom opened and acquired the former jurisdiction of the House of Lords.

2016: Scotland Act

Following the Scotland Act 2016, the Scottish Parliament has some legislative control over aspects of taxation including some elements of income tax, Air Departure Tax and Aggregates Tax.