A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 3 July
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 3 July?
- 1035 William the Conqueror becomes the Duke of Normandy, reigning until 1087
- 1810 Mauritius campaign of 1809–1811: A French frigate squadron under Guy-Victor…
- 1814 War of 1812: American forces capture Fort Erie from British troops in Upper…
- 1938 World speed record for a steam locomotive is set in England, by the Mallard
- 1940 Second World War: The Royal Navy attacked the French fleet at Mers El Kébir…
- 1970 The Troubles: The British Army began the Falls Curfew in Belfast, Northern…
- 1973 British singer David Bowie retired his stage persona Ziggy Stardust in a…
- 1996 British Prime Minister John Major announced the Stone of Scone would be…
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1035 | William the Conqueror becomes the Duke of Normandy, reigning until 1087 | 2026 − 1035 = | |
| 1814 | War of 1812: American forces capture Fort Erie from British troops in Upper… | 2026 − 1814 = | |
| 1940 | Second World War: The Royal Navy attacked the French fleet at Mers El Kébir… | 2026 − 1940 = | |
| 1973 | British singer David Bowie retired his stage persona Ziggy Stardust in a… | 2026 − 1973 = |
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!
- War of 1812: American forces capture Fort Erie from British troops in Upper…
- Mauritius campaign of 1809–1811: A French frigate squadron under Guy-Victor…
- William the Conqueror becomes the Duke of Normandy, reigning until 1087
- World speed record for a steam locomotive is set in England, by the Mallard
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “British singer David Bowie retired his stage persona Ziggy Stardust in a”?
- A. 1937
- B. 1940
- C. 1973
In which year did this happen: “Second World War: The Royal Navy attacked the French fleet at Mers El Kébir”?
- A. 1940
- B. 1906
- C. 1814
Which of these happened first?
- A. British singer David Bowie retired his stage persona Ziggy Stardust in a
- B. Second World War: The Royal Navy attacked the French fleet at Mers El Kébir
- C. The Troubles: The British Army began the Falls Curfew in Belfast, Northern
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 3 July. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1035 → 991 years; 1814 → 212 years; 1940 → 86 years; 1973 → 53 years.
Order: 1 = William the Conqueror becomes the Duke of Normandy, reigning until 1087 (1035), 2 = Mauritius campaign of 1809–1811: A French frigate squadron under Guy-Victor… (1810), 3 = War of 1812: American forces capture Fort Erie from British troops in Upper… (1814), 4 = World speed record for a steam locomotive is set in England, by the Mallard (1938).
Quiz: 1. C (1973); 2. A (1940); 3. B (Second World War: The Royal Navy attacked the French fleet at Mers El Kébir).