A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 28 October
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 28 October?
- 1420 Beijing becomes the Ming capital as the Forbidden City is finished
Beijing officially became the capital of China's Ming dynasty when the Forbidden City was completed. - 1492 Christopher Columbus lands in Cuba
On his first voyage across the Atlantic, Christopher Columbus landed on the island of Cuba. - 1664 The regiment that became the Royal Marines is formed in London
The Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot was set up at the grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company in London. - 1886 The Statue of Liberty is dedicated in New York Harbor
US President Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty, which stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. - 1914 Born: Richard Synge
Richard Synge was an English biochemist, born in 1914. - 1925 Tutankhamun's golden mask is uncovered
The gold mask of Tutankhamun was uncovered, seen for the first time in about 3,250 years. - 1965 The Gateway Arch is completed in St Louis
The Gateway Arch in St Louis, Missouri, was completed. - 1971 Prospero becomes the first British satellite on a British rocket
Prospero lifted off from Woomera in South Australia on a British rocket called Black Arrow.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1420 | Beijing becomes the Ming capital as the Forbidden City is finished | 2026 − 1420 = | |
| 1664 | The regiment that became the Royal Marines is formed in London | 2026 − 1664 = | |
| 1914 | Born: Richard Synge | 2026 − 1914 = | |
| 1965 | The Gateway Arch is completed in St Louis | 2026 − 1965 = |
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!
- Christopher Columbus lands in Cuba
- The Statue of Liberty is dedicated in New York Harbor
- Beijing becomes the Ming capital as the Forbidden City is finished
- The regiment that became the Royal Marines is formed in London
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “The regiment that became the Royal Marines is formed in London”?
- A. 1925
- B. 1962
- C. 1664
In which year did this happen: “Prospero becomes the first British satellite on a British rocket”?
- A. 1965
- B. 1971
- C. 1962
Which of these happened first?
- A. Prospero becomes the first British satellite on a British rocket
- B. Christopher Columbus lands in Cuba
- C. The regiment that became the Royal Marines is formed in London
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 28 October. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1420 → 606 years; 1664 → 362 years; 1914 → 112 years; 1965 → 61 years.
Order: 1 = Beijing becomes the Ming capital as the Forbidden City is finished (1420), 2 = Christopher Columbus lands in Cuba (1492), 3 = The regiment that became the Royal Marines is formed in London (1664), 4 = The Statue of Liberty is dedicated in New York Harbor (1886).
Quiz: 1. C (1664); 2. B (1971); 3. B (Christopher Columbus lands in Cuba).