A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 14 November
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 14 November?
- 1770 James Bruce reaches what he believes is the source of the Nile
Scottish traveller James Bruce reached what he believed was the source of the Nile, the longest river in the world. - 1797 Born: Charles Lyell
Scottish geologist Charles Lyell was born. - 1922 The British Broadcasting Company starts broadcasting on radio
The British Broadcasting Company took over a radio station called 2LO and began broadcasting to London from Marconi House. - 1948 Born: King Charles III
King Charles III, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, was born. - 1952 The first UK Singles Chart is published
The New Musical Express, a British music newspaper, published the first regular UK Singles Chart, a list of the best-selling records. - 1967 Theodore Maiman is granted a patent for the first laser
American physicist Theodore Maiman was granted a patent for his ruby laser, the world's first laser. - 1969 Apollo 12 blasts off for the second Moon landing
Apollo 12 was launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. - 1973 Princess Anne marries Captain Mark Phillips
Princess Anne, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, married Captain Mark Phillips at Westminster Abbey in London.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1770 | James Bruce reaches what he believes is the source of the Nile | 2026 − 1770 = | |
| 1922 | The British Broadcasting Company starts broadcasting on radio | 2026 − 1922 = | |
| 1952 | The first UK Singles Chart is published | 2026 − 1952 = | |
| 1969 | Apollo 12 blasts off for the second Moon landing | 2026 − 1969 = |
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!
- James Bruce reaches what he believes is the source of the Nile
- Theodore Maiman is granted a patent for the first laser
- The first UK Singles Chart is published
- The British Broadcasting Company starts broadcasting on radio
4. Quick quiz
In which year was King Charles III born?
- A. 1948
- B. 1973
- C. 1889
In which year did this happen: “Princess Anne marries Captain Mark Phillips”?
- A. 1973
- B. 1967
- C. 1910
Which of these happened first?
- A. James Bruce reaches what he believes is the source of the Nile
- B. The first UK Singles Chart is published
- C. Princess Anne marries Captain Mark Phillips
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 14 November. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1770 → 256 years; 1922 → 104 years; 1952 → 74 years; 1969 → 57 years.
Order: 1 = James Bruce reaches what he believes is the source of the Nile (1770), 2 = The British Broadcasting Company starts broadcasting on radio (1922), 3 = The first UK Singles Chart is published (1952), 4 = Theodore Maiman is granted a patent for the first laser (1967).
Quiz: 1. A (1948); 2. A (1973); 3. A (James Bruce reaches what he believes is the source of the Nile).