A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 7 February
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 7 February?
- 1301 Edward of Caernarfon becomes the first English Prince of Wales
King Edward I gave his son, Edward of Caernarfon, the title Prince of Wales. - 1783 Spain and France give up the Great Siege of Gibraltar
After three years and seven months, Spain and France gave up their attempt to capture Gibraltar from Britain. - 1812 Born: Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens was an English writer, born in Portsmouth, who is seen by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. - 1914 Charlie Chaplin's 'Little Tramp' first appears on screen
Kid Auto Races at Venice, a short American film starring the English comic actor Charlie Chaplin, was released. - 1940 Walt Disney's Pinocchio is shown for the first time
Walt Disney's animated film Pinocchio had its first showing at the Center Theatre in New York City. - 1964 The Beatles arrive in the United States for the first time
The Beatles landed in the United States for the first time, at the newly renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport. - 1992 The Maastricht Treaty is signed, creating the European Union
The twelve member states of the European Communities signed the Maastricht Treaty. - 2014 Ancient footprints found on a Norfolk beach are announced
Scientists announced the discovery of the Happisburgh footprints on a beach in Norfolk, England.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1301 | Edward of Caernarfon becomes the first English Prince of Wales | 2026 − 1301 = | |
| 1812 | Born: Charles Dickens | 2026 − 1812 = | |
| 1940 | Walt Disney's Pinocchio is shown for the first time | 2026 − 1940 = | |
| 1992 | The Maastricht Treaty is signed, creating the European Union | 2026 − 1992 = |
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!
- Spain and France give up the Great Siege of Gibraltar
- Edward of Caernarfon becomes the first English Prince of Wales
- Walt Disney's Pinocchio is shown for the first time
- Charlie Chaplin's 'Little Tramp' first appears on screen
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “Spain and France give up the Great Siege of Gibraltar”?
- A. 1964
- B. 1783
- C. 1979
In which year did this happen: “The Beatles arrive in the United States for the first time”?
- A. 1992
- B. 1964
- C. 1867
Which of these happened first?
- A. The Beatles arrive in the United States for the first time
- B. Spain and France give up the Great Siege of Gibraltar
- C. Ancient footprints found on a Norfolk beach are announced
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 7 February. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1301 → 725 years; 1812 → 214 years; 1940 → 86 years; 1992 → 34 years.
Order: 1 = Edward of Caernarfon becomes the first English Prince of Wales (1301), 2 = Spain and France give up the Great Siege of Gibraltar (1783), 3 = Charlie Chaplin's 'Little Tramp' first appears on screen (1914), 4 = Walt Disney's Pinocchio is shown for the first time (1940).
Quiz: 1. B (1783); 2. B (1964); 3. B (Spain and France give up the Great Siege of Gibraltar).