A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 22 October
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 22 October?
- 1721 Peter the Great proclaims the Russian Empire
Tsar Peter I, known as Peter the Great, proclaimed the Russian Empire after Sweden was defeated in the Great Northern War. - 1724 Bach leads the first performance of a new church cantata
The German composer Johann Sebastian Bach led the first performance of his cantata Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, in Leipzig. - 1727 George II and Queen Caroline are crowned at Westminster Abbey
George II and his wife, Caroline of Ansbach, were crowned King and Queen of Great Britain in Westminster Abbey. - 1739 The War of Jenkins' Ear begins
A war between Great Britain and Spain began with an attack on La Guaira, and most of the fighting took place around the Caribbean Sea. - 1936 The Royal Navy retires the cutlass from battle
The Royal Navy withdrew the cutlass, a short sword with a wide blade, from combat service. - 1939 Born: George Cohen
The English footballer George Cohen was born. - 1940 Belgium's government in exile begins in London
During the Second World War, the Belgian prime minister, Hubert Pierlot, arrived in London. - 1964 The first part of Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang is published
The first volume of Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang, a children's story by Ian Fleming, was published.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1721 | Peter the Great proclaims the Russian Empire | 2026 − 1721 = | |
| 1727 | George II and Queen Caroline are crowned at Westminster Abbey | 2026 − 1727 = | |
| 1936 | The Royal Navy retires the cutlass from battle | 2026 − 1936 = | |
| 1940 | Belgium's government in exile begins in London | 2026 − 1940 = |
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!
- George II and Queen Caroline are crowned at Westminster Abbey
- The War of Jenkins' Ear begins
- Bach leads the first performance of a new church cantata
- Peter the Great proclaims the Russian Empire
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “George II and Queen Caroline are crowned at Westminster Abbey”?
- A. 1940
- B. 1919
- C. 1727
In which year did this happen: “The first part of Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang is published”?
- A. 1917
- B. 1721
- C. 1964
Which of these happened first?
- A. The Royal Navy retires the cutlass from battle
- B. George II and Queen Caroline are crowned at Westminster Abbey
- C. The first part of Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang is published
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 22 October. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1721 → 305 years; 1727 → 299 years; 1936 → 90 years; 1940 → 86 years.
Order: 1 = Peter the Great proclaims the Russian Empire (1721), 2 = Bach leads the first performance of a new church cantata (1724), 3 = George II and Queen Caroline are crowned at Westminster Abbey (1727), 4 = The War of Jenkins' Ear begins (1739).
Quiz: 1. C (1727); 2. C (1964); 3. B (George II and Queen Caroline are crowned at Westminster Abbey).