September 10 has witnessed a range of significant historical events that shaped nations and cultures. From natural disasters like the 1509 Constantinople Earthquake to military triumphs such as the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie, this date holds diverse stories. Births of influential figures and tragic losses also mark its legacy. What other pivotal moments define this day? Uncover the layers of history waiting to be explored.
History
Major Historical Events
1509 – Constantinople Earthquake: A devastating earthquake struck Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, causing widespread destruction and killing thousands of people.
The event is one of the most significant natural disasters in the region’s history, with aftershocks felt for days.
1813 – Battle of Lake Erie: During the War of 1812, American naval forces under Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry achieved a decisive victory over the British fleet on Lake Erie near Put-in-Bay, Ohio.
This triumph secured control of the lake for the United States and marked a turning point in the war in the Northwest Territory.
1967 – Gibraltar Referendum: The people of Gibraltar voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency rather than join Spain in a historic referendum.
This decision solidified Gibraltar’s status and remains a key moment in its political history.
1977 – Last Execution by Guillotine in France: Hamida Djandoubi, a Tunisian immigrant convicted of murder, became the last person to be executed by guillotine in France.
This event marked the end of capital punishment in the country, which was officially abolished in 1981.
Famous Birthdays
1839 – Charles Sanders Peirce: An American philosopher, logician, mathematician, and scientist, often called the “father of pragmatism,” was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
His groundbreaking work in semiotics and logic laid the foundation for modern philosophy and science.
1949 – Bill O’Reilly: The American television host, author, and political commentator was born in New York City.
Known for his long tenure on Fox News with “The O’Reilly Factor,” he became a prominent and often controversial figure in media.
1960 – Colin Firth: The acclaimed British actor, known for his roles in films like “The King’s Speech” and “Pride and Prejudice,” was born in Grayshott, Hampshire, England.
His performances have earned him numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actor.
1968 – Guy Ritchie: The British filmmaker and screenwriter, recognized for directing films such as “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Sherlock Holmes,” was born in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England.
His distinctive style has made him a notable name in cinema.
1983 – Joey Votto: The Canadian professional baseball player, a first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds in Major League Baseball, was born in Toronto, Ontario.
Known for his exceptional hitting and on-base skills, Votto has been a standout player in the league.
Notable Deaths
1898 – Empress Elisabeth of Austria: Also known as Sisi, the beloved Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary was assassinated in Geneva, Switzerland, by an Italian anarchist.
Her tragic death shocked Europe and cemented her legacy as a cultural icon.
1976 – Dalton Trumbo: The American screenwriter and novelist, known for his work on films like “Roman Holiday” and “Spartacus,” passed away in Los Angeles, California.
Trumbo was a prominent figure who overcame blacklisting during the McCarthy era to reclaim his career.
2007 – Jane Wyman: The American actress, singer, and dancer, who starred in films like “Johnny Belinda” and the TV series “Falcon Crest,” died in Rancho Mirage, California.
She was also the first wife of Ronald Reagan and an Academy Award winner.
Today in Music History
1962 – BBC Bans Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s Song: The BBC banned the novelty song “Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett, deeming it too morbid for British audiences.
Despite the ban, the song became a Halloween classic and a chart-topping hit in the United States.
1966 – The Beatles’ “Revolver” Hits No. 1: The Beatles’ groundbreaking album “Revolver” reached the top spot on the UK charts.
Featuring innovative tracks like “Tomorrow Never Knows,” the album is often cited as one of the greatest in rock history.
1988 – Guns N’ Roses’ Chart Success: Guns N’ Roses’ single “Sweet Child O’ Mine” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a defining moment for the band and hard rock music in the late 1980s.
Today in Sports History
1960 – Abebe Bikila’s Olympic Marathon Win: Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila won the marathon at the Rome Olympics, becoming the first sub-Saharan African to win an Olympic gold medal.
Remarkably, he ran the race barefoot and set a world record.
1972 – U.S. Basketball Loss at Munich Olympics: The United States men’s basketball team controversially lost to the Soviet Union in the gold medal game at the Munich Olympics, ending their 63-game winning streak in Olympic competition.
The game remains one of the most debated in sports history.
2000 – Venus Williams Wins U.S. Open: Venus Williams claimed her first U.S. Open title, defeating Lindsay Davenport in the women’s singles final.
This victory solidified her status as one of tennis’s rising stars.
2013 – Diana Nyad’s Historic Swim: At age 64, American swimmer Diana Nyad completed a record-breaking 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage, becoming the first person to achieve this feat.
Her endurance and determination inspired millions.
Today in Military and Naval History
1813 – Battle of Lake Erie Victory: As mentioned earlier, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry led the U.S. Navy to a pivotal victory over British forces on Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
Perry’s famous message, “We have met the enemy and they are ours,” became a symbol of American resilience.
1943 – German Occupation of Rome: During World War II, German forces occupied Rome following Italy’s armistice with the Allies.
This marked a dark period for the city, with resistance movements emerging to fight against Nazi control.
2001 – U.S. Military on High Alert: Just one day before the tragic events of 9/11, the U.S. military was already on heightened alert due to intelligence warnings of potential terrorist activity.
This foreshadowed the catastrophic attacks that would occur the following day.
Today in Tech and Science History
1846 – Elias Howe Patents the Sewing Machine: American inventor Elias Howe received a patent for the first practical sewing machine, revolutionizing the textile industry.
His invention paved the way for mass production of clothing and household goods.
2008 – Large Hadron Collider First Activated: The Large Hadron Collider, the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator, was powered up for the first time at CERN in Switzerland.
This marked a new era in particle physics research, leading to discoveries like the Higgs boson.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1919 – Treaty of Saint-Germain Signed: The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye was signed between the Allies and Austria after World War I, officially dissolving the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
This event reshaped Europe’s cultural and political landscape.
1963 – “The Fugitive” TV Series Premieres: The iconic American television series “The Fugitive,” starring David Janssen as Dr. Richard Kimble, premiered on ABC.
The show became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring later adaptations and films.
1984 – Discovery of the “Titanic” Wreckage Announced: Although the Titanic wreck was discovered on September 1, the news was publicly confirmed on September 10 by oceanographer Robert Ballard.
This discovery captivated the world and renewed interest in the tragic 1912 sinking.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1939 – Canada’s Delayed War Declaration: Canada declared war on Germany on this day, a full week after the United Kingdom, due to procedural delays in asserting its independence in foreign policy.
This quirky timing highlighted Canada’s evolving autonomy.
1961 – A Chicken Survives a Nuclear Test: During a U.S. nuclear test in Nevada, a chicken named “Atomic Chicken” reportedly survived the blast while inside a protective shelter.
The odd survival story became a curious footnote in Cold War history.
Today in History for Kids
1509 – A Big Earthquake in Constantinople: A long time ago, a huge earthquake shook the city of Constantinople, which is now called Istanbul in Turkey.
Many buildings fell down, and it was a very sad day for the people who lived there.
1813 – A Cool Battle on a Lake: American ships fought British ships on Lake Erie and won a big battle!
A brave leader named Oliver Perry helped America control the lake, which was super important back then.
1960 – A Barefoot Runner Wins Gold: A man named Abebe Bikila from Ethiopia ran a really long race called a marathon at the Olympics in Rome.
He didn’t even wear shoes, but he still won and made history!
2008 – A Giant Science Machine Starts: Scientists in Switzerland turned on a huge machine called the Large Hadron Collider to learn about tiny bits of the universe.
It’s like a giant puzzle solver for science!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1813 – Perry’s Famous Words: After winning the Battle of Lake Erie, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry sent a message saying, “We have met the enemy and they are ours.”
This quote became one of the most famous in U.S. naval history.
1960 – Barefoot Marathon Record: Abebe Bikila not only won the Olympic marathon barefoot but also set a world record time of 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 16 seconds.
His unique approach stunned the world.
1977 – End of an Era in France: The last guillotine execution in France took place on this day, closing a chapter on a method of punishment that dated back to the French Revolution.
2008 – Collider Conspiracy Theories: When the Large Hadron Collider was first activated, some people worried it might create a black hole and destroy Earth.
Scientists quickly debunked these fears, but the rumors spread fast!