On October 3rd 2024, the UK agreed to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius ending years of dispute.
This means at some point in 2025 the sun will set (or have set if you’re reading this after) on the British Empire.
From the map author:
Note: this isn’t the exact date the “first sunset on the British Empire” will happen; I just found a date that would work to prove that it would happen eventually
We’ll have to wait till 2025 for it to happen since the parts of British Antarctic Territory will be in sunlight for several more months
And:
I probably should’ve included a legend: the shades of gray represent stages of twilight (civil, nautical, astronomical) and the darkest region is “night.” Twilight only begins after sunset though, so the sun will indeed set on the empire.
However, reddit user Glockass has done the research and found that:
On Friday 21st March 2025 at 02:50 UTC the sun will finally set on the British “Empire.
It was announced today that the UK will transfer sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius. Assuming this happens before March, this means when the sun sets on the Pitcairn Islands (18:50 Local time: UTC-8, 02:50 London time: UTC), the sun will have set on all British territory for the first time in over 200 years.
This the sunlight at that time is shown on the map above, when the sun is set on Pitcairn, there’s still around an hour until it rises in Akrotiri and Dhekelia, meanwhile as it’s just after the spring equinox, the sun will have set over the south pole beginning it’s 6 month long night, and therefore setting on British Antarctic Territory.
History of the term he sun never sets on the British Empire
The phrase “The sun never sets on the British Empire” originated during the height of the British Empire in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
It was a proud expression used to emphasize the vastness and global reach of British territorial possessions, which spanned multiple continents and time zones.
At any given moment, the sun would always be shining on at least one part of the empire.
Origins of the Phrase:
- Spanish Empire: The phrase actually predates the British Empire and was first applied to the Spanish Empire in the 16th century. The Spanish controlled territories across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. It was said that “the empire on which the sun never sets” referred to Spain under King Charles I (Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire).
- Adoption by Britain: The phrase was later adapted to describe the British Empire as it expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries. The earliest direct association with the British Empire is often attributed to a speech made by British politician Lord Salisbury in the 19th century, where he referenced the idea in relation to the British colonies.
- Global Expansion: By the 19th century, Britain had colonies and territories in North America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia. These colonies, combined with British naval dominance, made the British Empire the largest in history. This global network of colonies ensured that, literally, the sun was always shining on some part of the empire.
- Symbolism: The phrase became symbolic of Britain’s imperial power and dominance, and it was often used as a slogan to boast about British imperialism. It reflected the pride many British people felt about their empire and its role in spreading British influence, culture, and governance worldwide.
Decline of the Empire:
After World War I and especially following World War II, the British Empire began to decline as colonies gained independence.
The sun metaphorically started to “set” on the empire.
By the mid-20th century, most of the colonies had gained independence, and the phrase became a reflection of a bygone era of British dominance.
And now with the return of the Chagos Islands, the metaphorical setting of the British Empire will become a geographic reality (for at least part of the year).
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