November 10 stands as a significant date in history, marked by transformative events and notable figures. From Martin Luther’s birth in 1483, sparking the Protestant Reformation, to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, this day encapsulates pivotal shifts in the world. Births, deaths, and cultural milestones also dot its timeline. What specific moments shaped this date’s legacy? Uncover the layers of November 10’s historical impact.
History
Major Historical Events
1483 – Martin Luther’s Birth: On this day, Martin Luther, the German monk and theologian who became a central figure in the Protestant Reformation, was born in Eisleben, Saxony.
His Ninety-Five Theses, posted in 1517, challenged the Catholic Church’s practices and sparked widespread religious, political, and cultural changes across Europe.
1775 – Founding of the United States Marine Corps: During the American Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress established the United States Marine Corps on November 10 in Philadelphia.
Initially formed to provide security for naval vessels, the Marines have since become an essential branch of the U.S. military, known for their amphibious warfare capabilities.
1871 – Henry Morton Stanley Finds David Livingstone: In Ujiji, near Lake Tanganyika in present-day Tanzania, journalist and explorer Henry Morton Stanley famously located the missing Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone.
Stanley’s greeting, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” became one of the most iconic phrases in exploration history.
1969 – Sesame Street Debuts: The groundbreaking children’s television program “Sesame Street” premiered on public broadcasting in the United States.
Created by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett, the show combined education with entertainment, teaching generations of children through beloved characters like Big Bird and Elmo.
1989 – Fall of the Berlin Wall Begins: Although the Berlin Wall’s physical demolition started later, on November 9-10, 1989, East German authorities announced that citizens could cross the border freely.
This pivotal moment marked the beginning of the end of the Cold War division of Europe, with jubilant crowds gathering to celebrate.
Famous Birthdays
1483 – Martin Luther: The influential German reformer and theologian who initiated the Protestant Reformation was born on this day in Eisleben, Saxony.
His teachings reshaped Christianity and had a lasting impact on Western history.
1759 – Friedrich Schiller: The German poet, playwright, and philosopher Friedrich Schiller, known for works like “Ode to Joy” (later used in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony) and the play “William Tell,” was born in Marbach am Neckar.
His contributions to literature remain celebrated.
1960 – Neil Gaiman: British author Neil Gaiman, renowned for his imaginative works in fantasy and horror, including “Sandman,” “American Gods,” and “Coraline,” was born on this day in Portchester, England.
His storytelling has captivated readers worldwide.
1977 – Brittany Murphy: American actress and singer Brittany Murphy, known for her roles in films like “Clueless,” “8 Mile,” and “Sin City,” was born in Atlanta, Georgia.
Her talent and charm left a lasting mark on Hollywood before her tragic passing in 2009.
Notable Deaths
1938 – Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: The founder of modern Turkey and its first president, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, passed away on this day in Istanbul at the age of 57.
His reforms modernized Turkey, introducing secularism, women’s rights, and educational advancements.
2006 – Jack Palance: American actor Jack Palance, famous for his tough-guy roles in films like “Shane” and “City Slickers” (for which he won an Academy Award), died on November 10 at the age of 87 in Montecito, California.
His commanding presence defined a generation of cinema.
2015 – Helmut Schmidt: Helmut Schmidt, the former Chancellor of West Germany from 1974 to 1982, passed away on this day in Hamburg at the age of 96.
Known for his pragmatic leadership during the Cold War, he played a key role in shaping modern German politics.
Today in Music History
1973 – Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” Hits the Charts: Elton John’s iconic double album “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart on this day.
Featuring hits like “Candle in the Wind” and the title track, it remains one of his most celebrated works.
1997 – Shania Twain Releases “Come On Over”: Canadian country-pop superstar Shania Twain released her album “Come On Over” on November 10, which went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time.
With hits like “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and “You’re Still the One,” it redefined modern country music.
2001 – Nickelback’s “How You Remind Me” Tops Charts: The Canadian rock band Nickelback achieved their first major international success as “How You Remind Me” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on this day.
The song became a defining anthem of early 2000s rock.
Today in Sports History
1963 – Gordie Howe Sets NHL Record: Hockey legend Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings scored his 545th career goal on November 10, surpassing Maurice Richard’s record to become the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer at that time.
His record stood for years, cementing his legacy as “Mr. Hockey.”
1970 – New Orleans Saints’ Historic Field Goal: Tom Dempsey of the New Orleans Saints kicked a record-breaking 63-yard field goal on this day against the Detroit Lions, setting an NFL record for the longest field goal at the time.
His achievement, despite physical challenges, inspired countless athletes.
1984 – Mario Lemieux’s Rookie Milestone: Pittsburgh Penguins’ rookie Mario Lemieux scored his first NHL hat trick on November 10 against the Edmonton Oilers.
This marked the beginning of a storied career for one of hockey’s greatest players.
2007 – Ohio State vs. Michigan Rivalry Game: On this day, Ohio State defeated Michigan 14-3 in a significant college football rivalry game.
The victory solidified Ohio State’s dominance in the series during the 2000s and thrilled Buckeye fans.
Today in Military and Naval History
1775 – United States Marine Corps Established: On November 10, the Continental Congress authorized the creation of the U.S. Marine Corps during the American Revolutionary War.
Formed at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, the Marines were initially tasked with protecting naval ships and have since become a symbol of American military strength.
1918 – Kaiser Wilhelm II Abdicates: On this day, just before the end of World War I, German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated under pressure as Germany shifted to a republic.
His abdication marked a significant shift in European power dynamics after the war.
1942 – Operation Torch Continues in North Africa: During World War II, Allied forces under Operation Torch, which began on November 8, continued their campaign to capture key North African territories from Vichy French and Axis control on November 10.
This operation was a critical step in the Allies’ Mediterranean strategy.
Today in Tech and Science History
1970 – Soviet Luna 17 Mission Launches: The Soviet Union launched Luna 17 on November 10, carrying the first remote-controlled rover, Lunokhod 1, to the Moon.
This mission marked a significant achievement in robotic exploration, with the rover operating on the lunar surface for nearly a year.
1983 – Microsoft Announces Windows: On this day, Microsoft publicly announced the development of Windows, a graphical user interface for MS-DOS.
Released in 1985, Windows would eventually dominate the personal computing market, revolutionizing how people interact with technology.
2008 – NASA’s Phoenix Lander Ceases Operations: After a successful mission on Mars, NASA’s Phoenix Lander sent its final signal on November 10.
Launched to study the Martian arctic, it provided important data on the planet’s soil and climate before succumbing to harsh winter conditions.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1907 – First Performance of “The Playboy of the Western World”: Irish playwright John Millington Synge’s controversial play “The Playboy of the Western World” had its first American performance on November 10 in New York City.
Initially met with riots in Ireland due to its portrayal of Irish life, it later became a classic of modern drama.
1928 – Premiere of Maurice Ravel’s “Boléro”: French composer Maurice Ravel’s orchestral piece “Boléro” premiered on this day at the Paris Opéra.
Originally composed as a ballet, its hypnotic rhythm and crescendo made it one of the most recognizable works in classical music.
1969 – “Sesame Street” Changes Children’s Media: The educational TV show “Sesame Street” debuted on November 10, blending puppetry, animation, and live-action to teach children literacy and social skills.
Its cultural impact continues to resonate globally.
1985 – Debut of “Calvin and Hobbes”: Bill Watterson’s beloved comic strip “Calvin and Hobbes” first appeared in newspapers on this day (though some sources cite November 18).
Chronicling the adventures of a boy and his stuffed tiger, it became a cultural phenomenon for its wit and heart.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1975 – The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald: On November 10, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, a massive freighter, sank in Lake Superior during a storm, inspiring Gordon Lightfoot’s haunting ballad.
What’s eerie is that the ship disappeared without a distress signal, fueling mystery and speculation to this day.
1982 – A Soviet Submarine Surfaces Unexpectedly: During Cold War tensions, a Soviet submarine accidentally surfaced in Swedish waters on November 10 after navigational errors.
Dubbed the “Whiskey on the Rocks” incident (after the sub’s class), it caused an international stir and plenty of raised eyebrows.
2001 – A Town’s Turkey Drop Gone Wrong: In a bizarre promotional stunt gone awry, a radio station in Arkansas dropped live turkeys from a helicopter on November 10 as part of a Thanksgiving giveaway.
Most couldn’t fly, leading to chaos and a darkly humorous footnote in local history.
Today in History for Kids
1775 – Birthday of the U.S. Marines: On November 10, a super cool group called the United States Marine Corps was created to help protect America during a big war for freedom.
They started as guards on ships and now are heroes who help keep the country safe everywhere.
1871 – Finding a Lost Explorer: A brave writer named Henry Stanley found a missing explorer, Dr. David Livingstone, in Africa on this day.
It was like solving a giant mystery in a faraway jungle, and Stanley said a famous line, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”
1969 – “Sesame Street” Starts: A fun show called “Sesame Street” came on TV for the first time on November 10.
With friends like Big Bird and Cookie Monster, it teaches kids letters, numbers, and how to be kind while making everyone laugh.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1775 – Tun Tavern’s Role in History: The U.S. Marine Corps was founded at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia on November 10, a place where soldiers gathered to sign up.
Legend has it this tavern was the first “recruiting office” for the Marines, blending history with a pint of ale.
1871 – Stanley’s Long Search: Henry Morton Stanley searched for over eight months through dangerous African terrain before finding David Livingstone on November 10.
His journey wasn’t just a meeting—it was a lifeline, as Livingstone was ill and out of supplies.
1975 – A Ship’s Mysterious End: The SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank on November 10 in Lake Superior with all 29 crew members lost.
Despite being a modern ship, no one knows exactly why it went down, making it one of the Great Lakes’ biggest mysteries.
1989 – Berlin Wall’s Emotional Night: On the night of November 9-10, 1989, families separated for decades reunited as East Germans crossed into West Berlin.
People danced on the wall and chipped away pieces as souvenirs, marking a historic celebration of freedom.
2008 – Mars Mission’s Quiet Goodbye: NASA’s Phoenix Lander, which dug into Martian ice to search for signs of life, sent its last message on November 10 before freezing in the harsh Martian winter.
Its final “tweet” was a poignant farewell to Earth.