A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 9 December
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 9 December?
- 1608 Born: John Milton
John Milton was an English poet. - 1688 William of Orange's forces win the Battle of Reading
Forces loyal to William of Orange won a clear victory at the Battle of Reading. - 1868 The world's first traffic lights are put up in London
The first traffic lights were installed outside the Palace of Westminster in London, where Parliament meets. - 1892 Newcastle United football club is formed
The football club Newcastle United was formed. - 1934 Born: Judi Dench
Dame Judi Dench is an English actress, widely seen as one of Britain's greatest. - 1960 The first episode of Coronation Street is shown on TV
The first episode of Coronation Street was shown on ITV. It is the world's longest-running television soap opera. - 1973 The Sunningdale Agreement on Northern Ireland is signed
The British and Irish governments signed the Sunningdale Agreement at Sunningdale Park in Berkshire. - 1979 Scientists confirm smallpox has been wiped out
A commission of scientists for the World Health Organization (WHO) certified that smallpox had been eradicated, or wiped out, around the world.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1608 | Born: John Milton | 2026 − 1608 = | |
| 1868 | The world's first traffic lights are put up in London | 2026 − 1868 = | |
| 1934 | Born: Judi Dench | 2026 − 1934 = | |
| 1973 | The Sunningdale Agreement on Northern Ireland is signed | 2026 − 1973 = |
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!
- William of Orange's forces win the Battle of Reading
- Newcastle United football club is formed
- The world's first traffic lights are put up in London
- The first episode of Coronation Street is shown on TV
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “Newcastle United football club is formed”?
- A. 1979
- B. 1868
- C. 1892
In which year did this happen: “William of Orange's forces win the Battle of Reading”?
- A. 1688
- B. 1973
- C. 1968
Which of these happened first?
- A. The world's first traffic lights are put up in London
- B. William of Orange's forces win the Battle of Reading
- C. Newcastle United football club is formed
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 9 December. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1608 → 418 years; 1868 → 158 years; 1934 → 92 years; 1973 → 53 years.
Order: 1 = William of Orange's forces win the Battle of Reading (1688), 2 = The world's first traffic lights are put up in London (1868), 3 = Newcastle United football club is formed (1892), 4 = The first episode of Coronation Street is shown on TV (1960).
Quiz: 1. C (1892); 2. A (1688); 3. B (William of Orange's forces win the Battle of Reading).