A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 12 January
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 12 January?
- 1628 Born: Charles Perrault
Charles Perrault was a French writer who helped to create a new kind of story: the fairy tale. - 1808 Reculver's leaders vote to pull down their ancient church
St Mary's Church in Reculver, Kent, was founded in the 7th century inside an old Roman fort. - 1866 The world's oldest society for flight is founded in London
The Aeronautical Society of Great Britain was founded in London. - 1876 Born: Jack London
Jack London was an American writer and journalist. - 1895 The National Trust is founded to protect special places
The National Trust was officially registered, with the aim of protecting beautiful and historic places for the nation. - 1899 Lynmouth's lifeboat crew begin hauling their boat over Exmoor
In a fierce storm, a big sailing ship called the Forrest Hall got into trouble off the Devon coast. - 2004 Queen Mary 2 sets sail on her maiden voyage
The giant British liner Queen Mary 2 left Southampton on her maiden, or first, voyage to Fort Lauderdale in Florida. - 2007 Comet McNaught becomes the brightest comet in 40 years
Comet McNaught made its closest approach to the Sun and became the brightest comet for more than 40 years.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1628 | Born: Charles Perrault | 2026 − 1628 = | |
| 1866 | The world's oldest society for flight is founded in London | 2026 − 1866 = | |
| 1895 | The National Trust is founded to protect special places | 2026 − 1895 = | |
| 2004 | Queen Mary 2 sets sail on her maiden voyage | 2026 − 2004 = |
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!
- The world's oldest society for flight is founded in London
- Lynmouth's lifeboat crew begin hauling their boat over Exmoor
- Reculver's leaders vote to pull down their ancient church
- The National Trust is founded to protect special places
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “The National Trust is founded to protect special places”?
- A. 1628
- B. 1895
- C. 1932
In which year did this happen: “Reculver's leaders vote to pull down their ancient church”?
- A. 1865
- B. 1895
- C. 1808
Which of these happened first?
- A. Lynmouth's lifeboat crew begin hauling their boat over Exmoor
- B. The National Trust is founded to protect special places
- C. Reculver's leaders vote to pull down their ancient church
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 12 January. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1628 → 398 years; 1866 → 160 years; 1895 → 131 years; 2004 → 22 years.
Order: 1 = Reculver's leaders vote to pull down their ancient church (1808), 2 = The world's oldest society for flight is founded in London (1866), 3 = The National Trust is founded to protect special places (1895), 4 = Lynmouth's lifeboat crew begin hauling their boat over Exmoor (1899).
Quiz: 1. B (1895); 2. C (1808); 3. C (Reculver's leaders vote to pull down their ancient church).