PRIME MINISTER MARGARET THATCHER updates the House Of Commons over the US bombing of Libya, UK bases were being used by the US Air Force to bomb Libya

. Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher discusses her last days at Number 10.

. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher meeting US President Ronald Reagan and speaking to the press outside of Downing Street.

roy hattersley fills in for neil kinnock at pmqs

The Iron Lady.........A tribute?

a young david blunkett asks thatcher a question on fathers

The Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher, and Ronald Reagan's 83rd Birthday [5/5] Reagan: "I don't think an event of this kind would be complete without something that you probably got used to during my days in Washington: one of my stories. It's a story about a woman who walked into a bridal shop one day and told the sales clerk that she was looking for a wedding gown for her fourth wedding. Well the saleswoman asked, "Just exactly what type of dress are you looking for?" "A long, flowing white dress with a veil," she responded with assurance. Not totally convinced, but afraid to offend the woman, the sales lady said, "You know, dresses of that nature are usually more appropriate for brides who are being married for the first time -- for those a bit more innocent, if you know what I mean." Well the lady retorted and put her hand on her hip, "I do know what you mean and I can assure you I'm as innocent as the rest of them, despite all of my marriages. I remain as innocent as any first-time bride. You see my husband was a dear, sweet man. It was a terrible tragedy, actually. All of the excitement of the wedding was simply too much for him and he died as we checked into the hotel on our wedding night." "I'm sorry to hear that," said the clerk, "but what about the others?" "Well my second husband and I got into a terrible fight in the limousine on the way to our wedding reception. We haven't spoken since -- and got the marriage quickly annulled." "What about your third husband?" asked the store clerk. "Well," the woman replied, "he was a Democrat and <b>...</b>

The Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher, and Ronald Reagan's 83rd Birthday [4/5] Reagan: Seriously, birthdays often serve as the rare moments when we can pause from the bustle of our daily lives to reflect on the years that have passed, the accomplishments and people that have made them special. As I look around this gathering, I am filled with countless warm and fond memories. Many of you go back with us as far as my two terms as California Governor. Others of you are more recent additions to the family. Regardless of when you came, you have been a big part of our lives. For that, we are so grateful and feel so blessed. Now, as most of you know, I'm not one for looking back, I figure there will be plenty of time for that when I get old. But rather what I take from the past is inspiration for the future. And what we accomplished during our years in the White House must never be lost amid the rhetoric of political revisionists. When we came to Washington on that bright sunny day in January of 1981, we shared a dream for America. Back then, the reach of government had become intolerable. It was a time of rampant inflation and crushing interest rates -- when hope was scarce. It was a time when cold, ugly walls divided nations and human rights were trampled in the name of evil and corrupt ideologies. It was a time when the nuclear arms race was spiraling out of control and a blinding mistrust stood between East and West. We believed that for the future of America and the free world, this could not stand. And together, we insisted that this great nation <b>...</b>

The Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher, and Ronald Reagan's 83rd Birthday [3/5] Reagan: Thank you. Thank you, Margaret. And thank all of you very much. I haven't heard such cheers since I told the Washington Press Corps I was leaving town. I don't know who cheered the loudest -- them or me. Frankly, for a minute there I was a bit concerned that after all these years away from Washington you all wouldn't recognize me. Heck, pretty soon I'm going to have to get one of those credit cards with my picture on the front. I can't tell you how thrilled Nancy and I are to be here with you tonight to celebrate, as Margaret [Thatcher] said, the "forty-fourth anniversary of my thirty-ninth birthday." Haley [Barbour] told me he was going to gather a few friends for dinner tonight, but I had no idea! Before I get started here, I want to thank my dear friend, Margaret Thatcher, for being part of yet another important milestone -- another important milestone in my life and for those very kind words. As most of you know, Margaret and I go back quite a ways. We met at a time before she became Prime Minister and I became President. From the moment we met, we discovered that we shared quite similar views of government and freedom. Margaret ended our first meeting by telling me, "We must stand together," and that's exactly what we've done in the years since--as friends -- as friends and as political allies. Margaret Thatcher is one of the giants of our century. Her many achievements will be appreciated more and more as time goes on and history is written. For me, she has <b>...</b>

The Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher, and Ronald Reagan's 83rd Birthday [2/5] "And my second choice arises because we are coming to the 50th anniversary of the D-day Normandy landings—the Longest Day, the day we dare not lose the battle. Let us recall what you said on the 40th anniversary on those beaches, for no one else could say it better. You said, "Those men of Normandy had faith that what they were doing was right, faith that they fought for all humanity, faith that a just God would grant them mercy on this beach-head or on the next. The Americans who fought here that morning," you continued, "knew word of the invasion was spreading through the darkness back home. They felt in their hearts that in Georgia they were filling the churches at 4 am in the morning, in Kansas they were kneeling on their porches and praying, and in Philadelphia they were ringing the Liberty Bell. And they knew that God was an ally in this great cause. That night General Ridgeway was listening in the darkness for the promise God made to Joshua; 'I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.'" And you said, "Let us continue to stand for the ideals for which they lived and died. We will always remember. We will always be proud." Ron , I think that was your greatest speech. Like Winston Churchill, you made words fight like soldiers and lifted the spirit of a nation. And my third one, also a favorite, which was seen the world over, was the terrible Challenger space shuttle disaster. You knew immediately with that unfailing instinct that the tragedy needed a national voice to <b>...</b>