A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 19 October
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 19 October?
- 1453 England loses its last lands in southern France
Three months after defeat at the Battle of Castillon, England lost its last possessions in southern France. - 1579 Thirteen-year-old James VI begins his adult rule in Edinburgh
King James VI of Scotland made a grand royal entry into Edinburgh to mark his coming of age. - 1781 British army surrenders at Yorktown
During the American War of Independence, British forces led by Lord Cornwallis officially surrendered at Yorktown. - 1914 Allied and German armies clash at the First Battle of Ypres
During the First World War, Allied forces began fighting German troops at the First Battle of Ypres. - 1940 Born: Michael Gambon
The actor Michael Gambon was born. - 1946 Born: Philip Pullman
The English author Philip Pullman was born. - 1955 Plans for the first Eurovision Song Contest are approved
At a meeting of its members, the European Broadcasting Union agreed to stage the first Eurovision Song Contest. - 2019 Parliament sits on a Saturday for the first time since 1982
Members of Parliament met on a Saturday to discuss the Brexit deal, the plan for the UK leaving the European Union.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1453 | England loses its last lands in southern France | 2026 − 1453 = | |
| 1781 | British army surrenders at Yorktown | 2026 − 1781 = | |
| 1940 | Born: Michael Gambon | 2026 − 1940 = | |
| 1955 | Plans for the first Eurovision Song Contest are approved | 2026 − 1955 = |
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!
- England loses its last lands in southern France
- British army surrenders at Yorktown
- Allied and German armies clash at the First Battle of Ypres
- Thirteen-year-old James VI begins his adult rule in Edinburgh
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “British army surrenders at Yorktown”?
- A. 1781
- B. 1579
- C. 1946
In which year did this happen: “England loses its last lands in southern France”?
- A. 1453
- B. 1900
- C. 1946
Which of these happened first?
- A. British army surrenders at Yorktown
- B. Thirteen-year-old James VI begins his adult rule in Edinburgh
- C. England loses its last lands in southern France
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 19 October. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1453 → 573 years; 1781 → 245 years; 1940 → 86 years; 1955 → 71 years.
Order: 1 = England loses its last lands in southern France (1453), 2 = Thirteen-year-old James VI begins his adult rule in Edinburgh (1579), 3 = British army surrenders at Yorktown (1781), 4 = Allied and German armies clash at the First Battle of Ypres (1914).
Quiz: 1. A (1781); 2. A (1453); 3. C (England loses its last lands in southern France).