A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 10 October
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 10 October?
- AD 415 The second church of Hagia Sophia opens in Constantinople
The second church built on the site of Hagia Sophia, in the city of Constantinople, was opened. - 1492 Columbus's crew on the Santa María try to mutiny
The crew of the Santa María tried to mutiny, or rebel against their commander, Christopher Columbus. - 1731 Born: Henry Cavendish
Henry Cavendish was an English scientist who studied chemistry and physics. - 1846 William Lassell discovers Triton, Neptune's largest moon
English astronomer William Lassell discovered Triton, the largest moon of the planet Neptune. - 1903 Emmeline Pankhurst founds the Women's Social and Political Union
Emmeline Pankhurst founded the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) to campaign for women's suffrage – the right to vote. - 1911 The Wuchang Uprising begins the revolution that ends China's emperors
An armed uprising against the ruling Qing dynasty broke out in Wuchang, in the Chinese province of Hubei. - 1913 A huge blast completes the main building work on the Panama Canal
US President Woodrow Wilson set off an explosion that blew up the Gamboa Dike, a bank holding back water. - 1957 A fire at Windscale becomes Britain's worst nuclear accident
A fire broke out in one of the two nuclear reactors at Windscale, on the north-west coast of England in Cumberland.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| AD 415 | The second church of Hagia Sophia opens in Constantinople | 2026 − 415 = | |
| 1731 | Born: Henry Cavendish | 2026 − 1731 = | |
| 1903 | Emmeline Pankhurst founds the Women's Social and Political Union | 2026 − 1903 = | |
| 1913 | A huge blast completes the main building work on the Panama Canal | 2026 − 1913 = |
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!
- The second church of Hagia Sophia opens in Constantinople
- William Lassell discovers Triton, Neptune's largest moon
- Emmeline Pankhurst founds the Women's Social and Political Union
- Columbus's crew on the Santa María try to mutiny
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “Emmeline Pankhurst founds the Women's Social and Political Union”?
- A. 1967
- B. 1964
- C. 1903
In which year did this happen: “William Lassell discovers Triton, Neptune's largest moon”?
- A. 1967
- B. AD 415
- C. 1846
Which of these happened first?
- A. Emmeline Pankhurst founds the Women's Social and Political Union
- B. William Lassell discovers Triton, Neptune's largest moon
- C. A fire at Windscale becomes Britain's worst nuclear accident
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 10 October. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 415 → 1,611 years; 1731 → 295 years; 1903 → 123 years; 1913 → 113 years.
Order: 1 = The second church of Hagia Sophia opens in Constantinople (AD 415), 2 = Columbus's crew on the Santa María try to mutiny (1492), 3 = William Lassell discovers Triton, Neptune's largest moon (1846), 4 = Emmeline Pankhurst founds the Women's Social and Political Union (1903).
Quiz: 1. C (1903); 2. C (1846); 3. B (William Lassell discovers Triton, Neptune's largest moon).