On July 10, history unfolds with a range of significant events and notable births. From the emergence of influential figures like John Calvin in 1509 to groundbreaking moments such as the launch of Telstar 1 in 1962, this date holds a wealth of stories. Each event shapes the past in unique ways, inviting a closer look into their lasting impact. What other milestones await on this remarkable day?
History
Major Historical Events
1509 – Birth of John Calvin: On this day, the influential French theologian and pastor John Calvin was born in Noyon, France.
Calvin became a key figure in the Protestant Reformation, developing the theological system known as Calvinism, which emphasized predestination and the sovereignty of God.
His ideas profoundly shaped Protestant thought and influenced religious, political, and social reforms across Europe.
1856 – Nikola Tesla’s Birth: The brilliant inventor and electrical engineer Nikola Tesla was born on July 10 in Smiljan, in the Austrian Empire (modern-day Croatia).
Tesla’s groundbreaking work in alternating current (AC) electricity laid the foundation for modern electrical power systems, and his innovations continue to impact technology today.
1925 – Scopes Monkey Trial Begins: In Dayton, Tennessee, the famous Scopes Trial began on this date, pitting science against religion in a highly publicized courtroom drama.
High school teacher John T. Scopes was charged with violating state law by teaching evolution, and the trial featured a clash between defense attorney Clarence Darrow and prosecutor William Jennings Bryan, highlighting the cultural divide over evolution and creationism in America.
1962 – Launch of Telstar 1: The world’s first active communications satellite, Telstar 1, was launched on July 10 by NASA.
This groundbreaking satellite enabled the first live transatlantic television broadcasts, marking a significant milestone in global communications and paving the way for modern satellite technology.
1985 – The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior: On this day, the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior was sunk by French intelligence agents in Auckland, New Zealand.
The vessel was preparing to protest French nuclear testing in the Pacific when it was bombed, resulting in the death of a photographer on board.
The incident sparked international outrage and heightened awareness of environmental activism.
Famous Birthdays
1509 – John Calvin: As mentioned earlier, the Protestant Reformation leader John Calvin was born on this day in Noyon, France.
His theological writings and teachings continue to influence Christian thought worldwide.
1856 – Nikola Tesla: The visionary inventor Nikola Tesla, whose contributions to electrical engineering transformed the modern world, was born on July 10 in Smiljan, part of the Austrian Empire.
His work on AC power remains a cornerstone of today’s technology.
1871 – Marcel Proust: The renowned French novelist Marcel Proust, best known for his monumental work “In Search of Lost Time,” was born on this day in Auteuil, France.
His intricate exploration of memory and human experience has made him a literary giant.
1980 – Jessica Simpson: American singer, actress, and fashion designer Jessica Simpson was born on July 10 in Abilene, Texas.
Rising to fame with her debut album “Sweet Kisses,” she became a pop culture icon in the early 2000s.
Notable Deaths
138 – Emperor Hadrian: The Roman Emperor Hadrian, known for his extensive building projects like Hadrian’s Wall in Britain, passed away on July 10 in Baiae, Italy.
His reign was marked by efforts to consolidate and strengthen the Roman Empire.
1884 – Paul Morphy: American chess prodigy Paul Morphy, often considered one of the greatest chess players of all time, died on this day in New Orleans, Louisiana.
His brilliant career in the mid-19th century set new standards for the game.
2011 – Roland Petit: The celebrated French choreographer and dancer Roland Petit passed away on July 10 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Known for his innovative ballets, Petit left a lasting impact on modern dance and choreography.
Today in Music History
1965 – The Rolling Stones Hit No. 1: On this day, The Rolling Stones topped the U.S. charts with their iconic song “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.”
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the track became a defining anthem of rock and roll.
1979 – Chuck Berry Sentenced: Rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry was sentenced to four months in prison on July 10 for tax evasion.
Despite legal troubles, Berry’s influence on music, with hits like “Johnny B. Goode,” remains undeniable.
1989 – Mel Blanc’s Death: Legendary voice actor Mel Blanc, known as the “Man of a Thousand Voices” for his work on characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, passed away on this day.
His contributions to animation and music through character songs are timeless.
Today in Sports History
1926 – Bobby Jones Wins U.S. Open: On July 10, golfer Bobby Jones won the U.S. Open at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio.
This victory was part of his remarkable career, during which he became one of the most celebrated golfers in history.
1968 – National League Wins All-Star Game: The National League defeated the American League 1-0 in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game on this day at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas.
It was the first All-Star Game played indoors and on artificial turf.
2010 – Spain Advances in FIFA World Cup: On July 10, Spain defeated Germany 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup semifinal in Durban, South Africa.
This victory propelled Spain to the final, where they would go on to win their first World Cup title.
2016 – Andy Murray Wins Wimbledon: British tennis star Andy Murray clinched his second Wimbledon title on this day, defeating Milos Raonic in the final.
The win solidified Murray’s status as one of Britain’s greatest athletes.
Today in Military and Naval History
1778 – France Declares War on Britain: On July 10, France officially declared war on Britain in support of the American colonies during the Revolutionary War.
This alliance provided critical military and financial aid to the American cause.
1940 – Battle of Britain Begins: The Battle of Britain, a major air campaign during World War II, commenced on this day as the German Luftwaffe launched attacks on British airfields and infrastructure.
This marked the beginning of a pivotal struggle for control of the skies over Britain.
1943 – Allied Invasion of Sicily: Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily, began on July 10 during World War II.
This campaign was a vital step in the Allies’ efforts to weaken Axis powers in the Mediterranean and open the way for the invasion of Italy.
Today in Tech and Science History
1962 – Telstar 1 Launch: As noted earlier, Telstar 1, the first communications satellite, was launched on this day, revolutionizing global communication by enabling live transatlantic television broadcasts.
1992 – Giotto Spacecraft Flyby: On July 10, the European Space Agency’s Giotto spacecraft made a historic flyby of Comet 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup, becoming the first spacecraft to encounter two comets.
This mission provided valuable data on cometary composition.
2015 – New Horizons Captures Pluto Images: NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft captured detailed images of Pluto’s surface on this day, ahead of its closest approach on July 14.
These images revealed previously unknown details about the dwarf planet’s geology.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1871 – Marcel Proust’s Birth: As mentioned, the French author Marcel Proust was born on this day.
His literary masterpiece “In Search of Lost Time” remains a cornerstone of modern literature.
1921 – Belfast’s Bloody Sunday: On July 10, violent clashes in Belfast, Northern Ireland, resulted in the deaths of 16 people during a period of intense sectarian conflict.
This event became a tragic symbol of the cultural and political divides in the region.
1966 – “The Newlywed Game” Debuts: The popular American game show “The Newlywed Game” premiered on ABC on this day.
Hosted by Bob Eubanks, the show became a cultural phenomenon, focusing on the humorous dynamics of newly married couples.
1981 – “Escape from New York” Released: The dystopian action film “Escape from New York,” directed by John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell, was released on July 10.
The movie became a cult classic, influencing pop culture with its gritty vision of a future America.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1553 – Lady Jane Grey’s Short Reign Begins: On July 10, Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed Queen of England, only to be deposed nine days later.
Her incredibly brief reign earned her the nickname “The Nine Days’ Queen,” one of history’s oddest royal tenures.
1925 – Monkey Trial Madness: During the Scopes Monkey Trial, which began on this day, the small town of Dayton, Tennessee, turned into a media circus with vendors selling monkey-themed souvenirs.
The absurdity of the situation highlighted the cultural clash at the trial’s heart.
1985 – Coca-Cola’s New Coke Debacle Continues: By July 10, Coca-Cola was facing massive backlash over its reformulated “New Coke,” introduced earlier in the year.
The public outcry was so intense that the company announced the return of the original formula just a day later, marking one of the biggest marketing blunders in history.
Today in History for Kids
1509 – A Great Thinker is Born: On this day, a man named John Calvin was born in France.
He had big ideas about religion and wrote books that changed how many people thought about God, helping to start a movement called the Protestant Reformation.
1856 – An Inventor of Electricity: Nikola Tesla, a super-smart inventor, was born on July 10.
He figured out ways to make electricity work better, and his ideas help power our lights, computers, and gadgets today.
1962 – First TV Across the Ocean: A special machine called Telstar 1 was sent into space on this day.
It was the first to send TV shows from one side of the world to the other, so people in America could watch things happening in Europe right away!
2016 – A Tennis Champion Wins: Andy Murray, a tennis player from Britain, won a huge tournament called Wimbledon on July 10.
He worked hard to be the best and made his country very proud.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1778 – France Joins the American Fight: Did you know that on July 10, France decided to help America fight for freedom against Britain?
Their ships, soldiers, and money made a huge difference in winning the Revolutionary War.
1940 – A Battle in the Sky Starts: On this day, the Battle of Britain began, with German planes trying to take over the skies above England.
British pilots fought bravely to protect their country in one of World War II’s biggest air battles.
1965 – A Rock Song Rocks the World: The Rolling Stones’ song “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” became the No. 1 hit in the U.S. on July 10.
It’s still one of the most famous songs ever, and people love singing along to it even today.
1985 – A Ship Sunk for a Cause: On this day, a ship called the Rainbow Warrior was bombed and sunk in New Zealand by French agents.
The ship belonged to Greenpeace, a group fighting to protect nature, and the event made people around the world talk about saving the environment.
2015 – Pluto Up Close: NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft took amazing pictures of Pluto on July 10, showing us mountains and icy plains on a faraway world.
It was the first time we got such a close look at this mysterious dwarf planet.