A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 13 February
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 13 February?
- 1322 Ely Cathedral's central tower collapses, leading to its famous Octagon
During the night, the old Norman central tower of Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire fell down, possibly because of digging nearby. - 1633 Galileo arrives in Rome to face trial over his ideas
The Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei arrived in Rome to be tried by the Roman Inquisition, a Church court. - 1642 A new law removes bishops from the House of Lords
The Clergy Act became law, stopping bishops and other clergy from holding power in government. - 1689 William III and Mary II are proclaimed joint rulers of England
William III and Mary II were proclaimed joint rulers of England. - 1728 Born: John Hunter
John Hunter was a Scottish surgeon and one of the leading scientists of his day. - 1881 Born: Eleanor Farjeon
Eleanor Farjeon was an English writer of children's stories, plays and poems. - 1931 New Delhi becomes the capital of British India
New Delhi was officially opened as the capital of British-ruled India, taking over from Calcutta. - 2012 Europe's new Vega rocket makes its first launch
The European Space Agency launched its first Vega rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in South America.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1322 | Ely Cathedral's central tower collapses, leading to its famous Octagon | 2026 − 1322 = | |
| 1642 | A new law removes bishops from the House of Lords | 2026 − 1642 = | |
| 1728 | Born: John Hunter | 2026 − 1728 = | |
| 1931 | New Delhi becomes the capital of British India | 2026 − 1931 = |
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!
- Galileo arrives in Rome to face trial over his ideas
- William III and Mary II are proclaimed joint rulers of England
- Ely Cathedral's central tower collapses, leading to its famous Octagon
- A new law removes bishops from the House of Lords
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “William III and Mary II are proclaimed joint rulers of England”?
- A. 1881
- B. 2012
- C. 1689
In which year did this happen: “Ely Cathedral's central tower collapses, leading to its famous Octagon”?
- A. 1881
- B. 1322
- C. 1728
Which of these happened first?
- A. Ely Cathedral's central tower collapses, leading to its famous Octagon
- B. A new law removes bishops from the House of Lords
- C. William III and Mary II are proclaimed joint rulers of England
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 13 February. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1322 → 704 years; 1642 → 384 years; 1728 → 298 years; 1931 → 95 years.
Order: 1 = Ely Cathedral's central tower collapses, leading to its famous Octagon (1322), 2 = Galileo arrives in Rome to face trial over his ideas (1633), 3 = A new law removes bishops from the House of Lords (1642), 4 = William III and Mary II are proclaimed joint rulers of England (1689).
Quiz: 1. C (1689); 2. B (1322); 3. A (Ely Cathedral's central tower collapses, leading to its famous Octagon).