March 10 has witnessed a remarkable array of historical events that span innovation, tragedy, and cultural milestones. From groundbreaking technological achievements to somber moments of human struggle, this date holds a unique place in the annals of time. Significant birthdays and losses also mark its importance, alongside extraordinary feats in sports and music. What specific moments shaped this day? The tapestry of history awaits exploration.
History
Major Historical Events
1910 – First Film Made in Hollywood: The first motion picture filmed in Hollywood, California, titled “In Old California,” was released on this day.
Directed by D.W. Griffith, this short silent film marked the beginning of Hollywood’s rise as the center of the American film industry.
1933 – First Nazi Concentration Camp Opens: The Dachau concentration camp, located near Munich, Germany, was established on March 10 as one of the first camps set up by the Nazi regime.
Initially intended for political prisoners, it later became a model for other camps during the Holocaust.
1876 – First Successful Telephone Call: Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful telephone call to his assistant, Thomas Watson, on this day, famously saying, “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.”
This groundbreaking moment in communication history took place in Boston, Massachusetts.
1804 – Louisiana Purchase Ceremony: The formal transfer of the Louisiana Territory from France to the United States was completed with a ceremony in St. Louis on March 10.
This event finalized the massive land acquisition that doubled the size of the young nation.
1977 – Rings of Uranus Discovered: Astronomers James L. Elliot, Edward W. Dunham, and Jessica Mink discovered the rings of Uranus on this day using the Kuiper Airborne Observatory.
This finding added to the understanding of the outer planets and their complex systems.
Famous Birthdays
1958 – Sharon Stone: American actress and producer Sharon Stone, known for her roles in films like “Basic Instinct” and “Casino,” was born on this day in Meadville, Pennsylvania.
Her mesmerizing performances have earned her numerous awards and a lasting place in Hollywood.
1983 – Carrie Underwood: Country music superstar Carrie Underwood was born on March 10 in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
Rising to fame after winning “American Idol” in 2005, she has since become one of the best-selling country artists of all time.
1940 – Chuck Norris: Martial artist, actor, and internet meme icon Chuck Norris was born on this day in Ryan, Oklahoma.
Known for his roles in action films and the television series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” Norris remains a cultural figure.
1972 – Timbaland: Renowned music producer and rapper Timbaland, born Timothy Zachary Mosley, entered the world on March 10 in Norfolk, Virginia.
His innovative beats have shaped modern hip-hop and pop music, collaborating with artists like Justin Timberlake and Missy Elliott.
1984 – Olivia Wilde: Actress and filmmaker Olivia Wilde was born on this day in New York City.
Known for her roles in “House” and films like “Tron: Legacy,” she has also made her mark as a director with projects like “Booksmart.”
Notable Deaths
1913 – Harriet Tubman: The legendary abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman passed away on March 10 in Auburn, New York.
Her fearless efforts helped countless enslaved individuals escape to freedom, cementing her legacy as an American hero.
1985 – Konstantin Chernenko: Soviet leader Konstantin Chernenko, who served as General Secretary of the Communist Party, died on this day in Moscow at the age of 73.
His brief leadership marked an interim period in Soviet politics.
1997 – LaVern Baker: Rhythm and blues singer LaVern Baker, known for hits like “Tweedle Dee,” passed away on March 10 in New York City.
Her powerful voice and pioneering style influenced generations of musicians.
Today in Music History
1964 – Simon & Garfunkel Record Debut Album: On March 10, the folk duo Simon & Garfunkel began recording their first album, “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.,” in New York City.
Though initially unsuccessful, it later gained fame with the inclusion of “The Sound of Silence.”
1973 – Pink Floyd Releases “The Dark Side of the Moon” in the US: Pink Floyd’s iconic album “The Dark Side of the Moon” was released in the United States on this day, following its UK debut.
The album became a landmark in rock music, known for its innovative sound and themes.
1988 – Andy Gibb’s Tragic Death: Pop singer Andy Gibb, younger brother of the Bee Gees, passed away on March 10 at the age of 30 in Oxford, England.
Known for hits like “I Just Want to Be Your Everything,” his death marked a sad moment in music history.
Today in Sports History
1966 – Wilt Chamberlain Breaks Scoring Record: Basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain broke the NBA career scoring record on March 10, surpassing Bob Pettit’s mark with 20,880 points while playing for the Philadelphia 76ers.
His scoring prowess remains legendary.
1981 – Johnny Bench Announces Retirement Plans: On this day, Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench, one of baseball’s greatest players, announced his intention to retire after the 1983 season.
His career included multiple MVP awards and World Series titles.
2006 – Michelle Wie Turns Pro: Teenage golf prodigy Michelle Wie played her first professional tournament as a full-time pro on March 10 at the LPGA’s Fields Open in Hawaii.
Her early success paved the way for future achievements in women’s golf.
Today in Military and Naval History
1783 – USS Alliance’s Final Battle: During the American Revolutionary War, the USS Alliance fought its last naval engagement on March 10 off the coast of Florida against the British ship HMS Sybil.
This skirmish marked one of the war’s final naval actions.
1945 – Tokyo Firebombing: On this day, the U.S. Army Air Forces conducted a massive firebombing raid on Tokyo during World War II, resulting in devastating destruction and loss of life.
The attack was part of a broader campaign to weaken Japanese resistance.
1862 – First U.S. Paper Currency Issued: During the Civil War, the U.S. government issued its first paper currency, known as “greenbacks,” on March 10 to help fund military efforts.
This marked a significant shift in American financial policy.
Today in Tech and Science History
1876 – Alexander Graham Bell’s Telephone Patent: As mentioned earlier, Alexander Graham Bell made history on March 10 with the first successful telephone call, following the granting of his patent just days earlier.
This invention revolutionized global communication.
2000 – NASDAQ Peaks During Dot-Com Bubble: The NASDAQ stock index reached its all-time high of 5,048.62 on March 10, driven by the dot-com bubble.
This peak preceded a dramatic crash that reshaped the tech industry.
2016 – AlphaGo Defeats World Champion: Google DeepMind’s AlphaGo defeated world Go champion Lee Sedol in the second game of a historic five-game match on this day in Seoul, South Korea.
The victory showcased the power of artificial intelligence.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1831 – French Foreign Legion Founded: The French Foreign Legion, a military service branch often romanticized in literature and film, was established on March 10 by King Louis Philippe I.
It became a symbol of adventure and grit in popular culture.
1927 – First Armored Car Robbery in the U.S.: On this day, the first recorded armored car robbery took place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, an event that inspired countless crime stories and films.
The daring heist involved the theft of over $100,000.
1959 – “Sweet Bird of Youth” Premieres on Broadway: Tennessee Williams’ play “Sweet Bird of Youth” opened on Broadway on March 10, starring Paul Newman and Geraldine Page.
The production became a critical success, exploring themes of ambition and loss.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1975 – Dog Spectacles Patented: On March 10, a patent was filed for dog spectacles, basically sunglasses for canines, by an inventor hoping to protect dogs’ eyes from harsh sunlight.
While not widely adopted, it remains a quirky footnote in pet history.
1982 – All Nine Planets Align: A rare planetary alignment occurred on March 10, when all nine planets (including Pluto, then considered a planet) were on the same side of the Sun.
Though hyped as a significant event, it had no measurable impact on Earth.
Today in History for Kids
1876 – First Telephone Call: Imagine talking to a friend without a phone—impossible today!
On March 10, Alexander Graham Bell invented a way to talk over long distances by making the first phone call ever.
He called his helper and said, “Come here, I want to see you!”
1804 – America Grows Bigger: On this day, the United States got a huge new piece of land called the Louisiana Territory from France.
It was like adding a giant backyard to the country, making it twice as big overnight!
1910 – Hollywood Begins: The first movie ever made in Hollywood came out on March 10.
It was a short story on film called “In Old California,” and it started the journey of Hollywood becoming the movie capital of the world.
1977 – Rings Around Uranus: Scientists discovered that the planet Uranus has rings around it on this day, just like Saturn.
They used a special airplane with a telescope to spot them, showing us how cool space can be!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1862 – First Paper Money in the U.S.: Did you know that the U.S. didn’t always have paper money?
On March 10, during the Civil War, the government printed its first paper bills called “greenbacks” to pay for the war.
They got their name from the green ink used on the back.
1945 – Devastating Tokyo Raid: One of the deadliest air raids of World War II happened on this day when American planes dropped firebombs on Tokyo.
The attack destroyed much of the city and showed the intense destruction of war.
2000 – Tech Bubble Peak: The stock market for tech companies hit its highest point ever on March 10 before crashing soon after.
This event, tied to the dot-com bubble, taught the world a big lesson about investing wisely.
1973 – Iconic Album Release: Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” came out in the U.S. on this day, and it stayed on music charts for years.
It’s still one of the most famous albums ever made, with songs about life and time.