A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 28 November
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 28 November?
- 1582 William Shakespeare is allowed to marry Anne Hathaway
In Stratford-upon-Avon, a bond of £40 was paid so that William Shakespeare, aged 18, could marry Anne Hathaway, aged 26, straight away. - 1660 The Royal Society, the world's oldest science academy, is founded
Twelve thinkers, including Robert Boyle, John Wilkins and Christopher Wren, met at Gresham College in London. - 1757 Born: William Blake
William Blake was an English poet, painter and printmaker. - 1814 The Times becomes the first newspaper printed by steam power
The Times of London became the first newspaper to be printed on a steam-powered printing press. - 1862 Notts County, the oldest professional football club, is founded
Notts County Football Club was founded in Nottingham, England. - 1919 Nancy Astor is elected, becoming the first woman to sit as an MP
Nancy Astor was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP). - 1967 Jocelyn Bell Burnell spots the signal of the first known pulsar
Jocelyn Bell Burnell, a research student from Northern Ireland, noticed a 'bit of scruff' in data from a radio telescope. - 1990 Margaret Thatcher resigns and John Major becomes Prime Minister
Margaret Thatcher stepped down as leader of the Conservative Party, and so as Prime Minister.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1582 | William Shakespeare is allowed to marry Anne Hathaway | 2026 − 1582 = | |
| 1757 | Born: William Blake | 2026 − 1757 = | |
| 1862 | Notts County, the oldest professional football club, is founded | 2026 − 1862 = | |
| 1967 | Jocelyn Bell Burnell spots the signal of the first known pulsar | 2026 − 1967 = |
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!
- The Times becomes the first newspaper printed by steam power
- Notts County, the oldest professional football club, is founded
- William Shakespeare is allowed to marry Anne Hathaway
- The Royal Society, the world's oldest science academy, is founded
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “The Royal Society, the world's oldest science academy, is founded”?
- A. 1660
- B. 1893
- C. 1520
In which year did this happen: “William Shakespeare is allowed to marry Anne Hathaway”?
- A. 1757
- B. 1919
- C. 1582
Which of these happened first?
- A. The Royal Society, the world's oldest science academy, is founded
- B. Jocelyn Bell Burnell spots the signal of the first known pulsar
- C. William Shakespeare is allowed to marry Anne Hathaway
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 28 November. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1582 → 444 years; 1757 → 269 years; 1862 → 164 years; 1967 → 59 years.
Order: 1 = William Shakespeare is allowed to marry Anne Hathaway (1582), 2 = The Royal Society, the world's oldest science academy, is founded (1660), 3 = The Times becomes the first newspaper printed by steam power (1814), 4 = Notts County, the oldest professional football club, is founded (1862).
Quiz: 1. A (1660); 2. C (1582); 3. C (William Shakespeare is allowed to marry Anne Hathaway).