A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 30 January
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 30 January?
- 1648 The Peace of Münster makes the Dutch Republic independent
Spain and the Dutch Republic signed the Peace of Münster. - 1826 Thomas Telford's Menai Suspension Bridge opens in Wales
The Menai Suspension Bridge opened, linking the island of Anglesey with the mainland of north-west Wales across the Menai Strait. - 1858 The Hallé orchestra gives its first concert in Manchester
The Hallé gave its first concert as a full-time professional orchestra in Manchester. - 1862 USS Monitor, the US Navy's first ironclad warship, is launched
The United States Navy launched USS Monitor during the American Civil War. - 1902 Britain and Japan sign an alliance in London
Britain and Japan signed a defence agreement, called the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, at Lansdowne House in London. - 1920 The company that became carmaker Mazda is founded
The company that became the Japanese carmaker Mazda was founded by Jujiro Matsuda. - 1969 The Beatles play their famous rooftop concert in London
The Beatles gave their last public performance, playing on the roof of their Apple Corps offices at 3 Savile Row in central London. - 2013 South Korea's Naro-1 rocket reaches orbit
South Korea's Naro-1 rocket placed a small satellite called STSAT-2C into orbit around the Earth.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1648 | The Peace of Münster makes the Dutch Republic independent | 2026 − 1648 = | |
| 1858 | The Hallé orchestra gives its first concert in Manchester | 2026 − 1858 = | |
| 1902 | Britain and Japan sign an alliance in London | 2026 − 1902 = | |
| 1969 | The Beatles play their famous rooftop concert in London | 2026 − 1969 = |
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 Hallé orchestra gives its first concert in Manchester
- USS Monitor, the US Navy's first ironclad warship, is launched
- Thomas Telford's Menai Suspension Bridge opens in Wales
- The Peace of Münster makes the Dutch Republic independent
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “The Beatles play their famous rooftop concert in London”?
- A. 1858
- B. 1969
- C. 1826
In which year did this happen: “Thomas Telford's Menai Suspension Bridge opens in Wales”?
- A. 1969
- B. 1826
- C. 2013
Which of these happened first?
- A. The Hallé orchestra gives its first concert in Manchester
- B. The Beatles play their famous rooftop concert in London
- C. Thomas Telford's Menai Suspension Bridge opens in Wales
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 30 January. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1648 → 378 years; 1858 → 168 years; 1902 → 124 years; 1969 → 57 years.
Order: 1 = The Peace of Münster makes the Dutch Republic independent (1648), 2 = Thomas Telford's Menai Suspension Bridge opens in Wales (1826), 3 = The Hallé orchestra gives its first concert in Manchester (1858), 4 = USS Monitor, the US Navy's first ironclad warship, is launched (1862).
Quiz: 1. B (1969); 2. B (1826); 3. C (Thomas Telford's Menai Suspension Bridge opens in Wales).