A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 8 November
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 8 November?
- 1519 Hernán Cortés enters the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán
The Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés entered the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán, where the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II welcomed him with a great celebration. - 1602 Oxford's Bodleian Library opens to the public
The Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford opened to the public. - 1656 Born: Edmond Halley
The English astronomer and mathematician Edmond Halley was born. - 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie leads a Jacobite army into England
Charles Edward Stuart, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, marched into England with an army of about 5,000 men. - 1861 The Trent Affair brings Britain and the USA close to war
During the American Civil War, the US warship San Jacinto stopped the British mail ship Trent. - 1920 Rupert Bear appears in print for the first time
Rupert Bear made his first appearance in the Daily Express newspaper. - 1943 Born: Martin Peters
The English footballer Martin Peters was born. - 1971 Led Zeppelin releases its famous fourth album
The English rock band Led Zeppelin released its fourth album, which had no official title.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1519 | Hernán Cortés enters the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán | 2026 − 1519 = | |
| 1656 | Born: Edmond Halley | 2026 − 1656 = | |
| 1861 | The Trent Affair brings Britain and the USA close to war | 2026 − 1861 = | |
| 1943 | Born: Martin Peters | 2026 − 1943 = |
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!
- Hernán Cortés enters the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán
- Bonnie Prince Charlie leads a Jacobite army into England
- Oxford's Bodleian Library opens to the public
- The Trent Affair brings Britain and the USA close to war
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “Led Zeppelin releases its famous fourth album”?
- A. 1971
- B. 1745
- C. 1920
In which year did this happen: “The Trent Affair brings Britain and the USA close to war”?
- A. 1861
- B. 1519
- C. 1943
Which of these happened first?
- A. Led Zeppelin releases its famous fourth album
- B. The Trent Affair brings Britain and the USA close to war
- C. Bonnie Prince Charlie leads a Jacobite army into England
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 8 November. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1519 → 507 years; 1656 → 370 years; 1861 → 165 years; 1943 → 83 years.
Order: 1 = Hernán Cortés enters the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán (1519), 2 = Oxford's Bodleian Library opens to the public (1602), 3 = Bonnie Prince Charlie leads a Jacobite army into England (1745), 4 = The Trent Affair brings Britain and the USA close to war (1861).
Quiz: 1. A (1971); 2. A (1861); 3. C (Bonnie Prince Charlie leads a Jacobite army into England).