A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 21 August
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 21 August?
- 1673 The Dutch fleet defeats an Anglo-French fleet under Prince Rupert in the…
- 1689 Jacobite clans clashed with a regiment of Covenanters in the streets of…
- 1765 Born: William IV
- 1778 American Revolutionary War: British forces begin besieging the French outpost…
- 1808 Peninsular War: British and Portuguese forces put an end to the first French…
- 1879 The locals of Knock, County Mayo, Ireland report their having seen an…
- 1930 Born: Princess Margaret
- 1956 Born: Kim Cattrall
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1673 | The Dutch fleet defeats an Anglo-French fleet under Prince Rupert in the… | 2026 − 1673 = | |
| 1765 | Born: William IV | 2026 − 1765 = | |
| 1808 | Peninsular War: British and Portuguese forces put an end to the first French… | 2026 − 1808 = | |
| 1930 | Born: Princess Margaret | 2026 − 1930 = |
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!
- American Revolutionary War: British forces begin besieging the French outpost…
- Jacobite clans clashed with a regiment of Covenanters in the streets of…
- The Dutch fleet defeats an Anglo-French fleet under Prince Rupert in the…
- Peninsular War: British and Portuguese forces put an end to the first French…
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “Jacobite clans clashed with a regiment of Covenanters in the streets of”?
- A. 1689
- B. 1951
- C. 1872
In which year did this happen: “Peninsular War: British and Portuguese forces put an end to the first French”?
- A. 1808
- B. 1930
- C. 1951
Which of these happened first?
- A. Jacobite clans clashed with a regiment of Covenanters in the streets of
- B. American Revolutionary War: British forces begin besieging the French outpost
- C. Peninsular War: British and Portuguese forces put an end to the first French
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 21 August. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1673 → 353 years; 1765 → 261 years; 1808 → 218 years; 1930 → 96 years.
Order: 1 = The Dutch fleet defeats an Anglo-French fleet under Prince Rupert in the… (1673), 2 = Jacobite clans clashed with a regiment of Covenanters in the streets of… (1689), 3 = American Revolutionary War: British forces begin besieging the French outpost… (1778), 4 = Peninsular War: British and Portuguese forces put an end to the first French… (1808).
Quiz: 1. A (1689); 2. A (1808); 3. A (Jacobite clans clashed with a regiment of Covenanters in the streets of).