As the world’s greatest paper hits its half-century, why not try our anniversary quiz?
Since November 17, 1969, The Sun has led the way with world-beating scoops, showbiz exclusives and unparalleled sports reporting - served up with wit and humour
IT’S half a century since The Sun first rose – a dazzling and daring new dawn in newspapers.
Since November 17, 1969 we have led the way with world-beating scoops, showbiz exclusives and unparalleled sports reporting. All served up with a generous dollop of wit and humour.
We launched in 1969 with a vow to be the “People’s Paper”. And that mission still holds true as we turn 50 tthis year.
The world has changed a lot but we continue to shine a unique light on the big stories of the day.
But how much do you remember of the main events along the way?
Take our fun 50-question quiz and test your knowledge of The Sun and our stories over the past five decades. If you get stuck, the answers are below.
1969
WHICH much-loved BBC1 kids’ TV show debuted on November 16, the day before the tabloid Sun launched?
1970
WHY did the glamour model Stephanie Marrian make history on November 17?
1971
WHAT landmark change did the “D-Day” refer to in this February 16 Sun headline: “The Big D-Day Diddle”?
1972
WHICH long-time, letter-based popular Sun puzzle first appeared on September 18?
1973
WHICH newlywed royal was dubbed “The Captain’s Lady” in a Sun front page headline on November 15?
1974
WHO was the mysterious toff who hit the headlines on November 9 when he vanished after his children’s nanny was found murdered at his home?
1975
WHAT did 67.2 per cent of people vote “Yes” to joining on June 5? Rising MP Margaret Thatcher wore a special jumper to celebrate.
1976
COMPLETE the title of the risque comic strip “George & -----” which launched in The Sun in this year.
1977
WHO did The Sun declare “Queen Ginny!” on July 2 following her sporting triumph?
1978
ON May 9 The Sun overtook which rival paper to become the UK’s biggest seller?
1979
WHICH notorious punk rocker died of an overdose on February 2?
1980
WHICH long-running Sun advice column was published for the first time in November with the headline: “There’s no romance in our sex life”?
1981
ACCORDING to The Sun’s front page on March 31, which leading American statesman said, “Honey, I forgot to duck” following an attempt on his life?
1982
COMPLETE this famous Sun headline from April 20, after PM Margaret Thatcher rejected Argentina’s peace offer: “Stick It Up Your -----”.
1983
WHICH 16-year-old A-level student began her wildly successful Page 3 career with us on February 22?
1984
ON October 24, we reported that a legendary crooner was having cells from unborn lambs injected into his skin, prompting the amusing headline: “I’ve Got Ewes Under My Skin.” Name him.
1985
WHICH EastEnders star did The Sun expose on February 23 as a convicted murderer who had served ten years in prison?
1986
THE Sun moved offices from Bouverie Street in central London to which East London district on January 26?
1987
A FAMOUS Sun headline on July 24, about beastly goings-on in a seaside town, declared: “-------- Seized In Southend.” What is the missing word?
1988
WHICH future world leader’s 70th birthday was celebrated with a concert at Wembley Stadium on June 11?
1989
ON February 14, the Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran issued a “fatwa” ordering Muslims to kill British author Salman Rushdie over which controversial novel?
1990
COMPLETE the memorable November 1 Sun headline directed at the then French EU Commissioner: “Up Yours ------.”
1991
NAME the boss of a high street jewellery firm who made an ill-advised joke during a speech on April 23, saying that his stores sold earrings that were “cheaper than a prawn sandwich from M&S (but) probably wouldn’t last as long.”
1992
WHICH party leader’s head was pictured inside a giant lightbulb on The Sun’s front page on April 9 as the UK voted in a General Election?
1993
COMPLETE this Sun headline of February 19 about an electrician who was jailed for his bizarre sexual habits: ‘Man Who Made Love To ---------”.
1994
ACCORDING to The Sun’s front page of August 18, Ron Fisher, 62, from Thanet, claimed he had taught international terrorist Carlos the Jackal to do what?
1995
WHICH member of a top British boyband did The Sun exclusively reveal on July 18 was quitting to go solo?
1996
WE exclusively revealed which couple’s high-profile divorce on July 12?
1997
COMPLETE this headline “The Sun Backs -----” from March 18, after the paper came out in support of this politician’s party in the General Election.
1998
WHICH disgraced glam rocker was tracked by The Sun to a bolthole in Cuba?
1999
WHAT Cockney rhyming slang for The Sun did the paper use in the domain name for its first ever website?
2000
COMPLETE the following November 8 Sun headline about an attempted gem heist at the Millennium Dome: “I’m Only Here For -- -----”.
2001
WHICH infamous prison escapee did The Sun fly home to Britain after he had spent 35 years on the run?
2002
THE injured foot of which celebrated English footballer featured on The Sun’s front page on April 12, ahead of the World Cup in Japan?
2003
WHAT iconic supersonic plane made its last commercial flight on October 24?
2004
WHAT was the name of the establishment-rocking inquiry into the death of weapons inspector Dr David Kelly — Sun readers got to read the inquiry report the day BEFORE it was published, thanks to our then political editor Trevor Kavanagh.
2005
THE death of which much-loved comedian on October 3 was marked with the front page headline that paid tribute to one of his catchphrases, “Goodnight From Him”?
2006
COMPLETE this witty Sun front page headline of October 10 about a despotic regime carrying out a nuclear test: “How Do You Solve A Problem Like -----?”
2007
THE Sun exclusively told how, after a 22-year career in the British Army, Moira Cameron was becoming the first female to take up what ceremonial role at a prestigious London landmark?
2008
ON July 24 The Sun reported about fraudster John Darwin, aka “Canoe Man”, being jailed after faking his own death in a drowning accident to profit from life insurance. Can you complete our report’s funny headline: “Shock and ---.”
2009
WHICH moonwalking American megastar known as the King of Pop died aged 50 on June 25?
2010
WHO were the “Freed Hot Chile Fellas” in a front page headline on October 14?
2011
THE killing of which al-Qaeda terror leader at his Pakistan hideout led to our May 3 front page headline, “Bin Bagged”?
2012
WHICH bumbling comedy character performed with the London Symphony Orchestra at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics?
2013
THE Sun’s iconic red masthead was changed to “The Son” for one day only to mark the birth of which royal on July 22?
2014
NAME the film actress and her rock star hubby whose marriage ended when they “consciously uncoupled”?
2015
WHY did lovebirds Jess Hayes and Max Morley become famous?
2016
OUR front page headline on June 17, “Tinker Taylor Snogs A Spy”, revealed the romance between American pop singer Taylor Swift and which Brit actor, who starred in TV hit The Night Manager?
2017
WHICH prominent politician was allegedly known as “Agent Cob” by the Czech Secret Police and met a Communist spy during the Cold War, according to The Sun’s front page on February 14?
2018
WHICH American businessman turned head of state accused PM Theresa May of “Wrecking Brexit” in an exclusive Sun interview on July 13?
2019
ON what date was the tabloid Sun first published?
ANSWERS
1969: Clangers. 1970: Sun’s first Page 3 Girl. 1971: Decimalisation. 1972: Sundial. 1973: Princess Anne. 1974: Lord Lucan. 1975: Staying in Common Market. 1976: Lynne: 1977: Wimbledon winner Virginia Wade. 1978: Daily Mirror. 1979: Sid Vicious. 1980: Dear Deidre. 1981: Ronald Reagan. 1982: Junta. 1983: Sam Fox. 1984: Frank Sinatra. 1985: Leslie Grantham. 1986: Wapping. 1987: Werewolf. 1988: Nelson Mandela. 1989: The Satanic Verses. 1990: Delors. 1991: Gerald Ratner. 1992: Labour’s Neil Kinnock. 1993: Pavements. 1994: Drive. 1995: Robbie Williams. 1996: Prince Charles & Princess Diana. 1997: Blair. 1998: Gary Glitter. 1999: Currant Bun. 2000: De Beers. 2001: Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs. 2002: David Beckham. 2003: Concorde. 2004: Hutton Inquiry. 2005: Ronnie Barker. 2006: Korea. 2007: Beefeater at Tower of London. 2008: Oar. 2009: Michael Jackson. 2010: 33 Chilean miners saved after 69 days underground. 2011: Osama Bin Laden. 2012: Mr Bean/Rowan Atkinson. 2013: Prince George of Cambridge. 2014: Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin. 2015: Winning TV’s first Love Island. 2016: Tom Hiddleston. 2017: Jeremy Corbyn. 2018: Donald Trump. 2019: Nov 17, 1969.