A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 6 February
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 6 February?
- 1665 Born: Queen Anne
Anne became Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland in 1702. - 1819 Stamford Raffles signs a treaty to set up a trading post at Singapore
British official Stamford Raffles signed a treaty with Sultan Hussein Shah of Johor. - 1840 The Treaty of Waitangi is signed in New Zealand
Representatives of the British Crown and Māori chiefs first signed the Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand. - 1913 Born: Mary Leakey
Mary Leakey was a British scientist who studied the fossils of early humans and their ancestors. - 1918 Some women win the right to vote in British elections
Parliament passed the Representation of the People Act, giving some women the right to vote in general elections for the first time. - 1922 Five powers sign the Washington Naval Treaty to limit warships
The British Empire, the United States, France, Italy and Japan signed the Washington Naval Treaty. - 1952 Elizabeth II becomes Queen of the United Kingdom
Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II when her father, King George VI, died. - 2018 SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket makes its first flight
The American company SpaceX launched its Falcon Heavy rocket for the first time.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1665 | Born: Queen Anne | 2026 − 1665 = | |
| 1840 | The Treaty of Waitangi is signed in New Zealand | 2026 − 1840 = | |
| 1918 | Some women win the right to vote in British elections | 2026 − 1918 = | |
| 1952 | Elizabeth II becomes Queen of the United Kingdom | 2026 − 1952 = |
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!
- Some women win the right to vote in British elections
- Five powers sign the Washington Naval Treaty to limit warships
- The Treaty of Waitangi is signed in New Zealand
- Stamford Raffles signs a treaty to set up a trading post at Singapore
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “Stamford Raffles signs a treaty to set up a trading post at Singapore”?
- A. 1952
- B. 1819
- C. 1959
In which year did this happen: “Elizabeth II becomes Queen of the United Kingdom”?
- A. 2018
- B. 1952
- C. 1806
Which of these happened first?
- A. Five powers sign the Washington Naval Treaty to limit warships
- B. Stamford Raffles signs a treaty to set up a trading post at Singapore
- C. Elizabeth II becomes Queen of the United Kingdom
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 6 February. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1665 → 361 years; 1840 → 186 years; 1918 → 108 years; 1952 → 74 years.
Order: 1 = Stamford Raffles signs a treaty to set up a trading post at Singapore (1819), 2 = The Treaty of Waitangi is signed in New Zealand (1840), 3 = Some women win the right to vote in British elections (1918), 4 = Five powers sign the Washington Naval Treaty to limit warships (1922).
Quiz: 1. B (1819); 2. B (1952); 3. B (Stamford Raffles signs a treaty to set up a trading post at Singapore).