3. Thatcher Narrowly Escaped Assassination In October 1984 When The IRA Bombed The Brighton Grand Hotel
On October 12, 1984, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) bombed the Brighton hotel at which Thatcher and other Tories were staying during the Conservative Party Conference. Five people were killed, including Cabinet Minister John Wakeham's wife, but Thatcher escaped uninjured - and then insisted on continuing with the Conference as normal the following day. Thatcher gave her speech at the time that had been planned, despite the assassination attempt, and gained widespread public support for her show of defiance in the face of terrorism.