Places, Times and Dates

Time zones give areas on the Earth a time of day that is earlier or later than the nearby time zones. This is because when it is day-time on one side of the Earth, it is night-time on the other side. There are 24 standard time zones. 

Greenwich Mean Time is the time in London. Greenwich is the Prime Meridian of the world. Every place on Earth is measured by its position east or west from this line. 

The Greenwich Meridian became the Prime Meridian of the World in 1884. Before this, almost every town in the world had its own local time. There were no international agreements about measuring time. However, an international time standard became necessary for the growth of world travel and communication.

The Royal Observatory in Greenwich is the home of Greenwich Mean Time. At the Royal Observatory, you can have your photo taken standing on the Prime Meridian Line. When you stand over the line you are in the eastern and western hemispheres at the same time.

You can also watch the red Time Ball on top of Flamsteed House drop at 1pm every day. The Time Ball was one of the world's earliest public time signals. Before there was a Time Ball, only the richest people could buy clocks and watches of their own. The Time Ball was first used in 1833 and still operates today. At 12.55pm, the time ball rises half way up the pole. At 12.58pm it reaches the top, and at 1pm exactly, it falls.

Worksheet

Places, Times and Dates

A. There are 24 places in the world where the current time is different. 

B. An international time standard was introduced in 1884. 

C. Before 1884, nobody used clocks.

 D. After 1884, every town in the world kept its own local time.

 E. The Prime Meridian Line runs through Greenwich, London. 

F. It is not possible to stand on the Prime Meridian Line. 

G. The Time Ball tells people when it is 13.00.

 H. It is 1pm when the Time Ball falls to the bottom of the pole.