A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 26 January
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 26 January?
- 1788 The First Fleet lands at Sydney Cove in Australia
Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet of eleven British ships landed at Sydney Cove. - 1905 The Cullinan Diamond, the biggest gem diamond ever, is found
The Cullinan Diamond, the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found, was discovered at a mine in South Africa. - 1926 John Logie Baird gives the first demonstration of television
Scottish inventor John Logie Baird gave the first public demonstration of true television pictures, showing moving images of people. - 1934 The Apollo Theater opens in Harlem, New York
A theatre in the Harlem area of New York City reopened as the Apollo Theater. - 1935 Born: Paula Rego
Paula Rego was a Portuguese-born British artist, widely considered the leading woman artist of her time. - 1942 The first American troops to reach Europe land in Northern Ireland
During the Second World War, the first United States forces to arrive in Europe landed in Northern Ireland. - 1945 Born: Jacqueline du Pré
Jacqueline du Pré was a British cellist, born in Oxford, who is regarded as one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century. - 1950 India becomes a republic with a new constitution
India became a republic when its new constitution came into force.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1788 | The First Fleet lands at Sydney Cove in Australia | 2026 − 1788 = | |
| 1926 | John Logie Baird gives the first demonstration of television | 2026 − 1926 = | |
| 1935 | Born: Paula Rego | 2026 − 1935 = | |
| 1945 | Born: Jacqueline du Pré | 2026 − 1945 = |
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!
- John Logie Baird gives the first demonstration of television
- The Apollo Theater opens in Harlem, New York
- The Cullinan Diamond, the biggest gem diamond ever, is found
- The First Fleet lands at Sydney Cove in Australia
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “The first American troops to reach Europe land in Northern Ireland”?
- A. 1915
- B. 1942
- C. 1935
In which year did this happen: “The First Fleet lands at Sydney Cove in Australia”?
- A. 1935
- B. 1942
- C. 1788
Which of these happened first?
- A. The First Fleet lands at Sydney Cove in Australia
- B. John Logie Baird gives the first demonstration of television
- C. The first American troops to reach Europe land in Northern Ireland
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 26 January. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1788 → 238 years; 1926 → 100 years; 1935 → 91 years; 1945 → 81 years.
Order: 1 = The First Fleet lands at Sydney Cove in Australia (1788), 2 = The Cullinan Diamond, the biggest gem diamond ever, is found (1905), 3 = John Logie Baird gives the first demonstration of television (1926), 4 = The Apollo Theater opens in Harlem, New York (1934).
Quiz: 1. B (1942); 2. C (1788); 3. A (The First Fleet lands at Sydney Cove in Australia).