A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 5 January
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 5 January?
- 1875 The Palais Garnier opera house opens in Paris
The Palais Garnier, one of the most famous opera houses in the world, opened in Paris. - 1906 Born: Kathleen Kenyon
Kathleen Kenyon was a British archaeologist, someone who learns about the past by digging up and studying ancient remains. - 1914 Ford announces an eight-hour day and $5 daily pay
The Ford Motor Company announced that its workers would have an eight-hour working day and earn at least $5 a day, including bonuses. - 1925 Nellie Tayloe Ross becomes the first woman governor of a US state
Nellie Tayloe Ross became Governor of Wyoming, the first woman to serve as governor of a US state. - 1933 Building work starts on the Golden Gate Bridge
Construction began on the Golden Gate Bridge in California, United States. - 1972 President Nixon announces the Space Shuttle programme
US President Richard Nixon announced the Space Shuttle programme. - 1993 The oil tanker Braer runs aground off Shetland
The oil tanker MV Braer ran aground during a storm off Shetland, the most northerly part of the United Kingdom. - 2005 Astronomers discover Eris, a dwarf planet beyond Neptune
A team led by astronomer Mike Brown discovered Eris, using pictures from the Samuel Oschin telescope at Palomar Observatory in California.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1875 | The Palais Garnier opera house opens in Paris | 2026 − 1875 = | |
| 1914 | Ford announces an eight-hour day and $5 daily pay | 2026 − 1914 = | |
| 1933 | Building work starts on the Golden Gate Bridge | 2026 − 1933 = | |
| 1993 | The oil tanker Braer runs aground off Shetland | 2026 − 1993 = |
3. Put them in order
Write 1 next to the oldest event, then 2, 3 and so on up to the newest. Use list 1 to help you!
- Nellie Tayloe Ross becomes the first woman governor of a US state
- Building work starts on the Golden Gate Bridge
- Ford announces an eight-hour day and $5 daily pay
- The Palais Garnier opera house opens in Paris
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “The oil tanker Braer runs aground off Shetland”?
- A. 1941
- B. 1993
- C. 2005
In which year was Kathleen Kenyon born?
- A. 1914
- B. 1906
- C. 1925
Which of these happened first?
- A. Building work starts on the Golden Gate Bridge
- B. The oil tanker Braer runs aground off Shetland
- C. Astronomers discover Eris, a dwarf planet beyond Neptune
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 5 January. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1875 → 151 years; 1914 → 112 years; 1933 → 93 years; 1993 → 33 years.
Order: 1 = The Palais Garnier opera house opens in Paris (1875), 2 = Ford announces an eight-hour day and $5 daily pay (1914), 3 = Nellie Tayloe Ross becomes the first woman governor of a US state (1925), 4 = Building work starts on the Golden Gate Bridge (1933).
Quiz: 1. B (1993); 2. B (1906); 3. A (Building work starts on the Golden Gate Bridge).