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A Day in the Past · history worksheet

On this day: 25 October

Name: Class: Date:

1. What happened on 25 October?

  1. 1415 Henry V's archers win the Battle of Agincourt
    In the Hundred Years' War, Henry V's English army surprisingly beat a much larger French force at the Battle of Agincourt.
  2. 1747 Admiral Hawke's fleet wins the Second Battle of Cape Finisterre
    During the War of the Austrian Succession, a British fleet led by Rear-Admiral Edward Hawke defeated the French off Cape Finisterre, Spain.
  3. 1759 Born: William Grenville
    William Grenville, who became Prime Minister, was born.
  4. 1760 George III becomes king
    George III became King of Great Britain and Ireland, taking over from his grandfather, George II. He was the first king from the House of Hanover to be born in Great Britain.
  5. 1802 Born: Richard Parkes Bonington
    The painter Richard Parkes Bonington was born.
  6. 1809 Britain celebrates the Golden Jubilee of George III
    Celebrations were held to mark King George III beginning the 50th year of his reign.
  7. 1854 The Charge of the Light Brigade takes place
    During the Crimean War, British light cavalry led by Lord Cardigan charged straight at a well-defended Russian gun battery.
  8. 2001 Windows XP goes on sale
    Microsoft's Windows XP went on sale in shops.

2. How long ago?

This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.

YearWhat happenedSumYears ago
1415Henry V's archers win the Battle of Agincourt2026 − 1415 =
1759Born: William Grenville2026 − 1759 =
1802Born: Richard Parkes Bonington2026 − 1802 =
1854The Charge of the Light Brigade takes place2026 − 1854 =

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!

4. Quick quiz

  1. In which year did this happen: “Henry V's archers win the Battle of Agincourt”?

    • A. 1415
    • B. 1616
    • C. 2022

  2. In which year did this happen: “George III becomes king”?

    • A. 1760
    • B. 1854
    • C. 1802

  3. Which of these happened first?

    • A. The Charge of the Light Brigade takes place
    • B. George III becomes king
    • C. Henry V's archers win the Battle of Agincourt

5. Draw it!

Draw your favourite event from 25 October. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.

Answers for teachers

How long ago: 1415 → 611 years; 1759 → 267 years; 1802 → 224 years; 1854 → 172 years.

Order: 1 = Henry V's archers win the Battle of Agincourt (1415), 2 = Admiral Hawke's fleet wins the Second Battle of Cape Finisterre (1747), 3 = George III becomes king (1760), 4 = Britain celebrates the Golden Jubilee of George III (1809).

Quiz: 1. A (1415); 2. A (1760); 3. C (Henry V's archers win the Battle of Agincourt).