A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 8 May
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 8 May?
- 1360 The Hundred Years War: the Treaty of Brétigny is drafted between King Edward…
- 1373 Julian of Norwich experienced religious visions, later recorded in Revelations…
- 1608 A newly nationalized silver mine in Scotland at Hilderston, West Lothian is…
- 1643 First English Civil War: The first siege of Wardour Castle ended
- 1737 Born: Edward Gibbon
- 1926 Born: David Attenborough
- 1970 The Beatles release their 12th and final studio album Let It Be
- 1984 The Thames Barrier is officially opened, preventing the floodplain of most of…
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1360 | The Hundred Years War: the Treaty of Brétigny is drafted between King Edward… | 2026 − 1360 = | |
| 1608 | A newly nationalized silver mine in Scotland at Hilderston, West Lothian is… | 2026 − 1608 = | |
| 1737 | Born: Edward Gibbon | 2026 − 1737 = | |
| 1970 | The Beatles release their 12th and final studio album Let It Be | 2026 − 1970 = |
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!
- First English Civil War: The first siege of Wardour Castle ended
- The Hundred Years War: the Treaty of Brétigny is drafted between King Edward…
- Julian of Norwich experienced religious visions, later recorded in Revelations…
- A newly nationalized silver mine in Scotland at Hilderston, West Lothian is…
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “The Beatles release their 12th and final studio album Let It Be”?
- A. 1737
- B. 1970
- C. 1935
In which year did this happen: “The Hundred Years War: the Treaty of Brétigny is drafted between King Edward”?
- A. 1608
- B. 1970
- C. 1360
Which of these happened first?
- A. The Hundred Years War: the Treaty of Brétigny is drafted between King Edward
- B. The Beatles release their 12th and final studio album Let It Be
- C. Julian of Norwich experienced religious visions, later recorded in Revelations
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 8 May. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1360 → 666 years; 1608 → 418 years; 1737 → 289 years; 1970 → 56 years.
Order: 1 = The Hundred Years War: the Treaty of Brétigny is drafted between King Edward… (1360), 2 = Julian of Norwich experienced religious visions, later recorded in Revelations… (1373), 3 = A newly nationalized silver mine in Scotland at Hilderston, West Lothian is… (1608), 4 = First English Civil War: The first siege of Wardour Castle ended (1643).
Quiz: 1. B (1970); 2. C (1360); 3. A (The Hundred Years War: the Treaty of Brétigny is drafted between King Edward).