A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 20 February
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 20 February?
- 1472 Orkney and Shetland become part of Scotland
The Scottish Parliament confirmed that Orkney and Shetland, which had belonged to Norway, were now part of Scotland. - 1547 Nine-year-old Edward VI is crowned King of England
Edward VI was crowned King of England and Ireland at Westminster Abbey, aged just nine. - 1824 William Buckland names Megalosaurus, the first dinosaur to get a name
English geologist William Buckland announced the name Megalosaurus, which means 'great lizard'. - 1872 The Metropolitan Museum of Art opens in New York
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, often called the Met, opened in New York City. - 1926 Born: Gillian Lynne
Dame Gillian Lynne was an English ballerina, dancer and choreographer, someone who creates the dance steps for a show. - 1940 Born: Jimmy Greaves
Jimmy Greaves was an English footballer, seen as one of the greatest strikers of all time. - 1962 John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth
Astronaut John Glenn circled the Earth three times in the spacecraft Friendship 7, becoming the first American to orbit the planet. - 1998 Fifteen-year-old Tara Lipinski wins Olympic figure skating gold
American figure skater Tara Lipinski won the Olympic gold medal at the age of 15.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1472 | Orkney and Shetland become part of Scotland | 2026 − 1472 = | |
| 1824 | William Buckland names Megalosaurus, the first dinosaur to get a name | 2026 − 1824 = | |
| 1926 | Born: Gillian Lynne | 2026 − 1926 = | |
| 1962 | John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth | 2026 − 1962 = |
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!
- William Buckland names Megalosaurus, the first dinosaur to get a name
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art opens in New York
- Orkney and Shetland become part of Scotland
- Nine-year-old Edward VI is crowned King of England
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “Orkney and Shetland become part of Scotland”?
- A. 1472
- B. 1824
- C. 1877
In which year did this happen: “Nine-year-old Edward VI is crowned King of England”?
- A. 1547
- B. 1877
- C. 1926
Which of these happened first?
- A. Orkney and Shetland become part of Scotland
- B. William Buckland names Megalosaurus, the first dinosaur to get a name
- C. Nine-year-old Edward VI is crowned King of England
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 20 February. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1472 → 554 years; 1824 → 202 years; 1926 → 100 years; 1962 → 64 years.
Order: 1 = Orkney and Shetland become part of Scotland (1472), 2 = Nine-year-old Edward VI is crowned King of England (1547), 3 = William Buckland names Megalosaurus, the first dinosaur to get a name (1824), 4 = The Metropolitan Museum of Art opens in New York (1872).
Quiz: 1. A (1472); 2. A (1547); 3. A (Orkney and Shetland become part of Scotland).