Making history: Britain leaves the European Union today

• Britain had been a member of the EU since 1973.
• "Our job as the government, my job, is to bring this country together and take us forward," PM Boris Johnson said.

Britain on Friday will make history as the first European Union (EU) member to leave the 28-member bloc today at 23:00 GMT.

Forty-seven years ago, in 1973, the UK joined the EU, but in 2016 referendum voted to leave. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has backed Brexit since the 2016 referendum. Since the EU referendum, the country has seen two general elections and much political wrangling.

However, official celebrations will be muted out of respect for half the population who wanted to stay in the EU. In a statement, the UK PM said, "Our job as the government, my job, is to bring this country together and take us forward."

He further said this is not an end but a beginning. This is the moment when the 'dawn breaks and the curtain goes up on a new act'.

As per the negotiated EU-UK exit deal this week, the UK will enter the transition period. Britons and EU nationals will be able to work in and trade freely with EU nations until December 31. However, when the divorce is finalised, free movement for British immigrants in EU countries will end.