A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 10 January
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 10 January?
- 49 BC Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon
Roman general Julius Caesar led his army across the Rubicon, a shallow river in northern Italy, probably on the night of 10 to 11 January. - 1776 Thomas Paine publishes his pamphlet Common Sense
English-born writer Thomas Paine published Common Sense, a 47-page pamphlet, without his name on it. - 1863 The world's first underground railway opens in London
The Metropolitan Railway opened to the public between Paddington and Farringdon Street in London. - 1903 Born: Barbara Hepworth
Barbara Hepworth was an English sculptor whose work is a leading example of modern sculpture. - 1917 The Ross Sea party is rescued in Antarctica
Seven men of the Ross Sea party were rescued after being stranded in Antarctica for several months. - 1929 Tintin's very first adventure begins in a newspaper
Tintin in the Land of the Soviets, the first Tintin story by the Belgian cartoonist Hergé, began appearing in a newspaper's children's section. - 1946 The first United Nations General Assembly meets in London
The first session of the United Nations General Assembly began at the Methodist Central Hall in Westminster, London. - 1985 Clive Sinclair launches the C5 electric tricycle
Inventor Sir Clive Sinclair unveiled the Sinclair C5, a small one-person tricycle powered by a battery and pedals.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1776 | Thomas Paine publishes his pamphlet Common Sense | 2026 − 1776 = | |
| 1903 | Born: Barbara Hepworth | 2026 − 1903 = | |
| 1929 | Tintin's very first adventure begins in a newspaper | 2026 − 1929 = | |
| 1985 | Clive Sinclair launches the C5 electric tricycle | 2026 − 1985 = |
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!
- Thomas Paine publishes his pamphlet Common Sense
- The Ross Sea party is rescued in Antarctica
- Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon
- The world's first underground railway opens in London
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “The first United Nations General Assembly meets in London”?
- A. 1812
- B. 1985
- C. 1946
In which year did this happen: “Clive Sinclair launches the C5 electric tricycle”?
- A. 1863
- B. 1776
- C. 1985
Which of these happened first?
- A. Clive Sinclair launches the C5 electric tricycle
- B. The first United Nations General Assembly meets in London
- C. The world's first underground railway opens in London
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 10 January. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1776 → 250 years; 1903 → 123 years; 1929 → 97 years; 1985 → 41 years.
Order: 1 = Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon (49 BC), 2 = Thomas Paine publishes his pamphlet Common Sense (1776), 3 = The world's first underground railway opens in London (1863), 4 = The Ross Sea party is rescued in Antarctica (1917).
Quiz: 1. C (1946); 2. C (1985); 3. C (The world's first underground railway opens in London).