A Day in the Past · history worksheet
On this day: 17 December
Name: Class: Date:
1. What happened on 17 December?
- 1538 Pope Paul III excommunicates King Henry VIII
Pope Paul III excommunicated King Henry VIII of England, shutting him out of the Catholic Church. - 1665 The first account of a blood transfusion is published
The first written account of a blood transfusion was published in the Royal Society's journal, Philosophical Transactions. - 1778 Born: Humphry Davy
Sir Humphry Davy was a British chemist and inventor. - 1790 The Aztec sun stone is rediscovered in Mexico City
The Aztec sun stone was dug up in the Zócalo, the main square of Mexico City, during repairs to the city's cathedral. - 1819 Simón Bolívar declares the independence of Gran Colombia
Simón Bolívar declared the independence of Gran Colombia at Angostura, now called Ciudad Bolívar, in Venezuela. - 1903 The Wright brothers make the first powered aeroplane flight
Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first controlled, sustained flight in an engine-powered aeroplane. - 1938 Otto Hahn discovers nuclear fission
German chemist Otto Hahn discovered nuclear fission, working with Lise Meitner and Fritz Strassmann. - 1945 Born: Jacqueline Wilson
Dame Jacqueline Wilson is an English author of children's books, born in Bath.
2. How long ago?
This year is 2026. Work out how many years ago each thing happened.
| Year | What happened | Sum | Years ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1538 | Pope Paul III excommunicates King Henry VIII | 2026 − 1538 = | |
| 1778 | Born: Humphry Davy | 2026 − 1778 = | |
| 1819 | Simón Bolívar declares the independence of Gran Colombia | 2026 − 1819 = | |
| 1938 | Otto Hahn discovers nuclear fission | 2026 − 1938 = |
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!
- Pope Paul III excommunicates King Henry VIII
- Simón Bolívar declares the independence of Gran Colombia
- The Aztec sun stone is rediscovered in Mexico City
- The first account of a blood transfusion is published
4. Quick quiz
In which year did this happen: “Pope Paul III excommunicates King Henry VIII”?
- A. 1778
- B. 1903
- C. 1538
In which year did this happen: “The first account of a blood transfusion is published”?
- A. 1945
- B. 1538
- C. 1665
Which of these happened first?
- A. Simón Bolívar declares the independence of Gran Colombia
- B. The first account of a blood transfusion is published
- C. Pope Paul III excommunicates King Henry VIII
5. Draw it!
Draw your favourite event from 17 December. Then write a sentence about why you chose it.
Answers for teachers
How long ago: 1538 → 488 years; 1778 → 248 years; 1819 → 207 years; 1938 → 88 years.
Order: 1 = Pope Paul III excommunicates King Henry VIII (1538), 2 = The first account of a blood transfusion is published (1665), 3 = The Aztec sun stone is rediscovered in Mexico City (1790), 4 = Simón Bolívar declares the independence of Gran Colombia (1819).
Quiz: 1. C (1538); 2. C (1665); 3. C (Pope Paul III excommunicates King Henry VIII).