A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 17 October
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 17 October?
- 1091 A powerful tornado strikes the heart of London
A powerful tornado struck the heart of London. - 1346 King David II of Scotland is captured at Neville's Cross
King David II of Scotland invaded England to help his ally, France, but he was captured at the Battle of Neville's Cross. - 1662 Charles II sells Dunkirk to King Louis XIV of France
King Charles II of England sold Dunkirk, a town on the French coast, and the nearby Fort-Mardyck to his cousin, King Louis XIV of France. - 1777 British general John Burgoyne surrenders at Saratoga
British general John Burgoyne surrendered to the Americans, ending his Saratoga campaign. - 1860 The first Open Championship in golf is played in Scotland
The first Open Championship was played at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland. - 1907 Marconi starts the first paid wireless service across the Atlantic
The Marconi Company began the first commercial wireless service across the Atlantic Ocean, sending messages without wires for paying customers. - 1919 Leeds United Football Club is founded
Leeds United Football Club was founded at Salem Chapel in Holbeck, Leeds. - 1956 The Queen opens the first commercial nuclear power station
Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the first commercial nuclear power station, at the site now called Sellafield on the coast of Cumbria in England.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1091 | A powerful tornado strikes the heart of London | 2026 − 1091 = | |
| 1662 | Charles II sells Dunkirk to King Louis XIV of France | 2026 − 1662 = | |
| 1860 | The first Open Championship in golf is played in Scotland | 2026 − 1860 = | |
| 1919 | Leeds United Football Club is founded | 2026 − 1919 = |
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!
- King David II of Scotland is captured at Neville's Cross
- Charles II sells Dunkirk to King Louis XIV of France
- British general John Burgoyne surrenders at Saratoga
- A powerful tornado strikes the heart of London
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “King David II of Scotland is captured at Neville's Cross”?
- A. 1907
- B. 1771
- C. 1346
In which year did this happen: “British general John Burgoyne surrenders at Saratoga”?
- A. 1919
- B. 1777
- C. 1956
Which of these happened first?
- A. British general John Burgoyne surrenders at Saratoga
- B. The first Open Championship in golf is played in Scotland
- C. King David II of Scotland is captured at Neville's Cross
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 17 October. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1091 → 935 years; 1662 → 364 years; 1860 → 166 years; 1919 → 107 years.
Order: 1 = A powerful tornado strikes the heart of London (1091), 2 = King David II of Scotland is captured at Neville's Cross (1346), 3 = Charles II sells Dunkirk to King Louis XIV of France (1662), 4 = British general John Burgoyne surrenders at Saratoga (1777).
Quiz: 1. C (1346); 2. B (1777); 3. C (King David II of Scotland is captured at Neville's Cross).