A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 11 October
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 11 October?
- 1311 English nobles publish the Ordinances of 1311 to limit Edward II
Powerful nobles and churchmen in England published the Ordinances of 1311, rules to limit the power of King Edward II. The 21 men who signed them were known as the Lords Ordainers. - 1797 The Royal Navy defeats the Dutch fleet at the Battle of Camperdown
Britain's Royal Navy defeated a Dutch fleet at the Battle of Camperdown. - 1872 Born: Emily Davison
Emily Wilding Davison was an English suffragette who campaigned for women in Britain to have the right to vote. - 1899 The Second Boer War breaks out in South Africa
The Second Boer War broke out in South Africa. - 1937 Born: Bobby Charlton
Sir Bobby Charlton was an English footballer, widely seen as one of the greatest players of all time. - 1950 The first colour television system is approved in the USA
The US Federal Communications Commission approved a colour television system made by CBS. It was the first colour TV system to be licensed for broadcasting in the United States. - 1968 Apollo 7 launches, the first Apollo mission to carry astronauts
Apollo 7, the first Apollo mission with a crew, blasted off from Cape Kennedy in Florida. - 1984 Kathryn Sullivan becomes the first American woman to walk in space
Astronaut Kathryn Sullivan became the first American woman to make a spacewalk, leaving the Space Shuttle Challenger to work outside in space.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1311 | English nobles publish the Ordinances of 1311 to limit Edward II | 2026 − 1311 = | |
| 1872 | Born: Emily Davison | 2026 − 1872 = | |
| 1937 | Born: Bobby Charlton | 2026 − 1937 = | |
| 1968 | Apollo 7 launches, the first Apollo mission to carry astronauts | 2026 − 1968 = |
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!
- English nobles publish the Ordinances of 1311 to limit Edward II
- The Royal Navy defeats the Dutch fleet at the Battle of Camperdown
- The Second Boer War breaks out in South Africa
- The first colour television system is approved in the USA
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “The Royal Navy defeats the Dutch fleet at the Battle of Camperdown”?
- A. 1797
- B. 1899
- C. 1984
In which year did this happen: “English nobles publish the Ordinances of 1311 to limit Edward II”?
- A. 1776
- B. 1738
- C. 1311
Which of these happened first?
- A. The Royal Navy defeats the Dutch fleet at the Battle of Camperdown
- B. English nobles publish the Ordinances of 1311 to limit Edward II
- C. The Second Boer War breaks out in South Africa
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 11 October. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1311 → 715 years; 1872 → 154 years; 1937 → 89 years; 1968 → 58 years.
Order: 1 = English nobles publish the Ordinances of 1311 to limit Edward II (1311), 2 = The Royal Navy defeats the Dutch fleet at the Battle of Camperdown (1797), 3 = The Second Boer War breaks out in South Africa (1899), 4 = The first colour television system is approved in the USA (1950).
Quiz: 1. A (1797); 2. C (1311); 3. B (English nobles publish the Ordinances of 1311 to limit Edward II).