A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 2 October
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 2 October?
- 1187 Saladin takes Jerusalem after the city surrenders
After a siege of nearly two weeks, the city of Jerusalem surrendered to the army of Saladin, the sultan of Egypt and Syria. - 1263 Scotland and Norway clash at the Battle of Largs
The armies of Scotland and Norway fought the Battle of Largs, on the Firth of Clyde. - 1452 Born: Richard III of England
Richard III was King of England from 1483 to 1485. - 1470 Edward IV flees England and Henry VI returns to the throne
King Edward IV of England was forced to flee to the Burgundian Netherlands after a rebellion led by Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. - 1852 Born: William Ramsay
Sir William Ramsay was a Scottish chemist who discovered the noble gases. - 1925 John Logie Baird sends the first television picture
In his laboratory, the Scottish inventor John Logie Baird sent the first television picture with shades of grey. - 1958 Guinea declares its independence from France
Guinea, a country on the Atlantic coast of West Africa, declared its independence from France. - 2004 The first parkrun takes place in Bushy Park, London
The very first parkrun took place in Bushy Park, a royal park beside Hampton Court Palace in London.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1187 | Saladin takes Jerusalem after the city surrenders | 2026 − 1187 = | |
| 1452 | Born: Richard III of England | 2026 − 1452 = | |
| 1852 | Born: William Ramsay | 2026 − 1852 = | |
| 1958 | Guinea declares its independence from France | 2026 − 1958 = |
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!
- Scotland and Norway clash at the Battle of Largs
- John Logie Baird sends the first television picture
- Saladin takes Jerusalem after the city surrenders
- Edward IV flees England and Henry VI returns to the throne
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “Edward IV flees England and Henry VI returns to the throne”?
- A. 1789
- B. 1452
- C. 1470
In which year was Richard III of England born?
- A. 1967
- B. 1452
- C. 1789
Which of these happened first?
- A. The first parkrun takes place in Bushy Park, London
- B. Scotland and Norway clash at the Battle of Largs
- C. Edward IV flees England and Henry VI returns to the throne
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 2 October. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1187 → 839 years; 1452 → 574 years; 1852 → 174 years; 1958 → 68 years.
Order: 1 = Saladin takes Jerusalem after the city surrenders (1187), 2 = Scotland and Norway clash at the Battle of Largs (1263), 3 = Edward IV flees England and Henry VI returns to the throne (1470), 4 = John Logie Baird sends the first television picture (1925).
Quiz: 1. C (1470); 2. B (1452); 3. B (Scotland and Norway clash at the Battle of Largs).