Brexit: A Timeline of Key Moments

From Referendum to Formal Separation

Leave Vote to Last-Ditch Deal

23 June 2016: The UK votes to leave the European Union with 52% of the vote.

29 March 2017: The UK formally notifies the EU of its intention to leave, triggering the two-year Article 50 withdrawal process.

December 2017: The UK and EU reach an agreement on the first phase of Brexit negotiations, covering citizens' rights, the financial settlement, and the Irish border.

July 2018: The UK and EU agree to a framework for the future relationship, including a transition period until the end of 2020.

March 2019: The UK Parliament twice rejects Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal.

April 2019: The EU grants the UK a six-month extension to the Article 50 withdrawal process.

July 2019: Boris Johnson becomes Prime Minister and pledges to "get Brexit done."

October 2019: The UK Parliament approves Johnson's revised Brexit deal.

31 January 2020: The UK formally leaves the EU.

12 Big Moments in the UK-EU Relationship

1. 1957: The United Kingdom applies to join the European Economic Community (EEC), the precursor to the EU.

2. 1973: The UK joins the EEC.

3. 1975: The UK holds a referendum on whether to remain in the EEC, and votes to stay.

4. 1985: The Single European Act is signed, creating a single market for goods, services, capital, and labor within the EEC.

5. 1992: The Maastricht Treaty is signed, establishing the European Union.

6. 1993: The UK ratifies the Maastricht Treaty.

7. 1995: The UK joins the Schengen Area, which allows for free movement of people between participating countries.

8. 2008: The global financial crisis begins.

9. 2010: The Lisbon Treaty enters into force, amending the Maastricht Treaty.

10. 2013: The UK holds a referendum on whether to leave the EU, and votes to stay.

11. 2016: The UK holds a referendum on whether to leave the EU, and votes to leave.

12. 2020: The UK formally leaves the EU.