A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 7 October
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 7 October?
- 1571 The Battle of Lepanto is fought at sea
At the Battle of Lepanto, the fleet of the Holy League defeated the fleet of the Ottoman Empire. - 1763 George III issues the Royal Proclamation of 1763
King George III issued the Royal Proclamation of 1763. - 1777 British forces are defeated at the Second Battle of Saratoga
During the American Revolutionary War, American forces defeated a British army led by General John Burgoyne. - 1920 Oxford University lets women become full members and take degrees
Women became able to join the University of Oxford as full members, and were given the right to take degrees. - 1939 Born: Harry Kroto
Harry Kroto was an English chemist who was later knighted, becoming Sir Harry Kroto. - 1949 East Germany is founded
The German Democratic Republic, usually called East Germany, was formed. - 1988 Three grey whales are found trapped in sea ice in Alaska
A local Iñupiat hunter discovered three grey whales trapped in thick sea ice near Point Barrow, Alaska. - 2008 Asteroid 2008 TC3 explodes over Sudan, just as predicted
A small asteroid called 2008 TC3 entered Earth's atmosphere and exploded about 37 km above the Nubian Desert in Sudan.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1571 | The Battle of Lepanto is fought at sea | 2026 − 1571 = | |
| 1777 | British forces are defeated at the Second Battle of Saratoga | 2026 − 1777 = | |
| 1939 | Born: Harry Kroto | 2026 − 1939 = | |
| 1988 | Three grey whales are found trapped in sea ice in Alaska | 2026 − 1988 = |
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!
- British forces are defeated at the Second Battle of Saratoga
- George III issues the Royal Proclamation of 1763
- The Battle of Lepanto is fought at sea
- Oxford University lets women become full members and take degrees
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “George III issues the Royal Proclamation of 1763”?
- A. 1959
- B. 1939
- C. 1763
In which year did this happen: “British forces are defeated at the Second Battle of Saratoga”?
- A. 1777
- B. 2008
- C. 1949
Which of these happened first?
- A. Oxford University lets women become full members and take degrees
- B. British forces are defeated at the Second Battle of Saratoga
- C. George III issues the Royal Proclamation of 1763
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 7 October. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1571 → 455 years; 1777 → 249 years; 1939 → 87 years; 1988 → 38 years.
Order: 1 = The Battle of Lepanto is fought at sea (1571), 2 = George III issues the Royal Proclamation of 1763 (1763), 3 = British forces are defeated at the Second Battle of Saratoga (1777), 4 = Oxford University lets women become full members and take degrees (1920).
Quiz: 1. C (1763); 2. A (1777); 3. C (George III issues the Royal Proclamation of 1763).