A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 13 October
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 13 October?
- 1269 The new church at Westminster Abbey is consecrated
The church building that still stands at Westminster Abbey in London was consecrated, which means it was officially blessed for worship. - 1399 Henry IV is crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey
Henry IV, also known as Henry Bolingbroke, was crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey in London. - 1710 Britain gains Nova Scotia as the Siege of Port Royal ends
French forces and their Wabanaki allies surrendered, ending the Siege of Port Royal in North America. - 1812 British and Mohawk forces win the Battle of Queenston Heights
British soldiers and Mohawk warriors drove back an American invasion across the Niagara River, near Queenston in Ontario, Canada. - 1908 Margaret Travers Symons is the first woman to speak in the Commons
Suffragette Margaret Travers Symons became the first woman to speak in the House of Commons. - 1911 Queen Victoria's son Prince Arthur becomes Governor General of Canada
Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, became Governor General of Canada. - 1925 Born: Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher was the first woman to become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. - 1994 Loyalist groups announce a ceasefire in Northern Ireland
At Fernhill House in Belfast, loyalist leader Gusty Spence announced that the Combined Loyalist Military Command would observe a ceasefire.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1269 | The new church at Westminster Abbey is consecrated | 2026 − 1269 = | |
| 1710 | Britain gains Nova Scotia as the Siege of Port Royal ends | 2026 − 1710 = | |
| 1908 | Margaret Travers Symons is the first woman to speak in the Commons | 2026 − 1908 = | |
| 1925 | Born: Margaret Thatcher | 2026 − 1925 = |
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!
- Britain gains Nova Scotia as the Siege of Port Royal ends
- Henry IV is crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey
- The new church at Westminster Abbey is consecrated
- British and Mohawk forces win the Battle of Queenston Heights
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “British and Mohawk forces win the Battle of Queenston Heights”?
- A. 1812
- B. 1269
- C. 1399
In which year did this happen: “Loyalist groups announce a ceasefire in Northern Ireland”?
- A. 1399
- B. 1812
- C. 1994
Which of these happened first?
- A. British and Mohawk forces win the Battle of Queenston Heights
- B. Margaret Travers Symons is the first woman to speak in the Commons
- C. Loyalist groups announce a ceasefire in Northern Ireland
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 13 October. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1269 → 757 years; 1710 → 316 years; 1908 → 118 years; 1925 → 101 years.
Order: 1 = The new church at Westminster Abbey is consecrated (1269), 2 = Henry IV is crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey (1399), 3 = Britain gains Nova Scotia as the Siege of Port Royal ends (1710), 4 = British and Mohawk forces win the Battle of Queenston Heights (1812).
Quiz: 1. A (1812); 2. C (1994); 3. A (British and Mohawk forces win the Battle of Queenston Heights).