June 10 has witnessed a range of pivotal events across history, from declarations of war to cultural milestones. Italy entered World War II on this day in 1940, while the Six-Day War concluded in 1967 with significant territorial shifts. Births of influential figures and notable passings also mark this date. Curious about the full spectrum of events that shaped June 10? There’s much more to uncover.
History
Major Historical Events
1922 – First Performance of Judy Garland: On this day in 1922, a young Frances Ethel Gumm, who would later become known as Judy Garland, made her stage debut at the age of two and a half during a performance in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
She sang alongside her sisters in a vaudeville act managed by their mother, marking the start of an illustrious career that would make her a Hollywood icon.
1940 – Italy Declares War on France and Britain: During World War II, on June 10, 1940, Italy officially entered the conflict by declaring war on France and the United Kingdom.
Under the leadership of Benito Mussolini, Italy aligned with Nazi Germany, escalating the war in Europe and North Africa.
1967 – End of the Six-Day War: On June 10, 1967, the Six-Day War between Israel and its neighboring states—Egypt, Jordan, and Syria—came to an end with a ceasefire.
Israel emerged victorious, gaining control over significant territories, including the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Golan Heights, reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
2003 – Launch of Spirit Rover to Mars: NASA launched the Spirit Rover on June 10, 2003, as part of the Mars Exploration Rover mission.
Spirit landed on Mars in January 2004 and operated for over six years, far exceeding its planned 90-day mission, providing invaluable data about the Red Planet’s surface and geology.
Famous Birthdays
1895 – Hattie McDaniel: Born on June 10, 1895, in Wichita, Kansas, Hattie McDaniel became the first African American to win an Academy Award for her role as Mammy in “Gone with the Wind” in 1939.
Her groundbreaking achievement paved the way for greater recognition of Black actors in Hollywood.
1921 – Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, was born on June 10, 1921, in Corfu, Greece.
He served as the longest-serving consort of a reigning British monarch, supporting numerous charitable causes until his passing in 2021.
1965 – Elizabeth Hurley: English actress and model Elizabeth Hurley was born on June 10, 1965, in Basingstoke, Hampshire.
Known for her roles in films like “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” and her work as a fashion icon, Hurley remains a prominent figure in entertainment.
1982 – Tara Lipinski: Olympic figure skating champion Tara Lipinski was born on June 10, 1982, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
She made history by becoming the youngest individual Winter Olympics gold medalist in 1998 at the age of 15.
1986 – Joey Zimmerman: Actor Joey Zimmerman, known for his role in the “Halloweentown” Disney Channel movie series, was born on June 10, 1986, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
His performances in family-friendly films have made him a nostalgic favorite for many.
Notable Deaths
323 BC – Alexander the Great: On June 10, 323 BC, Alexander the Great, the legendary Macedonian king and military conqueror, died in Babylon at the age of 32.
His death marked the beginning of the fragmentation of his vast empire, which stretched from Greece to India.
1836 – André-Marie Ampère: French physicist and mathematician André-Marie Ampère, whose work laid the foundation for electromagnetism, passed away on June 10, 1836, in Marseille, France.
The unit of electric current, the ampere, is named in his honor.
2004 – Ray Charles: Iconic American singer, songwriter, and pianist Ray Charles died on June 10, 2004, in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 73.
Known as “The Genius,” his blend of gospel, blues, and jazz revolutionized popular music.
Today in Music History
1964 – The Beatles Release “A Hard Day’s Night”: On June 10, 1964, The Beatles began recording their third studio album, “A Hard Day’s Night,” in London.
The album, tied to their first feature film, became a massive hit and solidified their global fame.
1977 – Joe Strummer Forms The Clash: On June 10, 1977, punk rock legend Joe Strummer officially joined forces with Mick Jones to form The Clash in London.
The band would go on to become one of the most influential groups in punk and rock history.
1987 – Aerosmith’s “Permanent Vacation” Recording Begins: Aerosmith started recording their comeback album “Permanent Vacation” on June 10, 1987, after a period of struggle with substance abuse.
The album marked a major resurgence for the band with hits like “Dude (Looks Like a Lady).”
2004 – Ray Charles’ Final Album Released Posthumously: Following his death on this day in 2004, Ray Charles’ duet album “Genius Loves Company” was prepared for release.
It became a critical and commercial success, earning multiple Grammy Awards.
Today in Sports History
1934 – Italy Wins First FIFA World Cup on Home Soil: On June 10, 1934, Italy clinched the FIFA World Cup title by defeating Czechoslovakia 2-1 in Rome.
This victory marked the first time a host nation won the tournament.
1977 – Al Geiberger Shoots a 59 in PGA Tour: Golfer Al Geiberger made history on June 10, 1977, by shooting a score of 59 during the Danny Thomas Memphis Classic, becoming the first player to break 60 in a PGA Tour event.
2007 – Rafael Nadal Wins Third French Open Title: On June 10, 2007, Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal secured his third consecutive French Open title by defeating Roger Federer in Paris.
This win solidified his dominance on clay courts.
Today in Military and Naval History
1940 – Norway Surrenders to Germany: On June 10, 1940, Norway officially surrendered to Nazi Germany after two months of resistance following the German invasion in April.
King Haakon VII and the government fled to London to continue the fight in exile.
1944 – Battle of Normandy Continues with Operation Overlord: On June 10, 1944, just days after D-Day, Allied forces continued their push inland in Normandy, France, as part of Operation Overlord.
Fierce fighting against German defenses marked this critical stage of World War II.
1854 – First U.S. Naval Academy Class Graduates: The first class of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, graduated on June 10, 1854.
This marked the beginning of a long tradition of training naval officers for service.
Today in Tech and Science History
1752 – Benjamin Franklin’s Kite Experiment: On June 10, 1752, Benjamin Franklin reportedly conducted his famous kite experiment in Philadelphia, demonstrating that lightning is a form of electricity.
This groundbreaking discovery contributed to the invention of the lightning rod.
2003 – Spirit Rover Launch: As mentioned earlier, NASA launched the Spirit Rover on June 10, 2003, initiating a mission that would vastly expand our understanding of Mars through detailed surface exploration over several years.
2014 – Rosetta Probe Closes in on Comet: On June 10, 2014, the European Space Agency’s Rosetta spacecraft performed a major maneuver to align its trajectory with Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, paving the way for the first-ever landing on a comet later that year.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1907 – First Performance of “Pekin Rag”: Composer Joe Jordan’s “Pekin Rag” was performed for the first time on June 10, 1907, at the Pekin Theatre in Chicago, contributing to the early development of ragtime music and African American cultural expression.
1924 – Premiere of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”: Though often associated with an earlier debut, George Gershwin’s iconic “Rhapsody in Blue” had a significant performance on June 10, 1924, with the composer himself at the piano, further popularizing the blend of jazz and classical music.
1963 – Release of “Cleopatra” Film: The epic historical drama “Cleopatra,” starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, premiered in the United States on June 10, 1963.
Despite mixed reviews, it became one of the most expensive and talked-about films of its time.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1692 – First Salem Witch Trial Execution: On June 10, 1692, Bridget Bishop became the first person executed for witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials in Massachusetts.
Her conviction was based on flimsy evidence, reflecting the hysteria of the era.
1935 – Founding of Alcoholics Anonymous: On June 10, 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in Akron, Ohio, by Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith.
What started as a small support group grew into a global organization helping millions recover from alcoholism.
2002 – First “American Idol” Audition Airs: On June 10, 2002, the reality TV show “American Idol” aired its first audition episode in the United States, launching a cultural phenomenon that unearthed both talent and hilariously bad performances.
Today in History for Kids
1752 – Benjamin Franklin Flies a Kite: A long time ago, on June 10, 1752, a man named Benjamin Franklin did a super cool experiment with a kite during a thunderstorm.
He proved that lightning is electricity, which helped people learn how to stay safe from storms.
1922 – Judy Garland Sings for the First Time: On this day in 1922, a little girl named Frances Gumm sang on a stage when she was only two years old.
Later, she became Judy Garland, a famous star who acted and sang in movies like “The Wizard of Oz.”
2003 – A Robot Goes to Mars: On June 10, 2003, scientists sent a robot called Spirit to explore Mars.
It took amazing pictures and taught us a lot about the red planet, like what kind of rocks are there.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1692 – Witch Trials Begin with a Hanging: Did you know that on June 10, 1692, the first execution of the Salem Witch Trials took place?
Bridget Bishop was accused of being a witch based on strange rumors, showing how fear can lead to unfair decisions.
1935 – A Group to Help People Starts: On June 10, 1935, two friends started Alcoholics Anonymous to help people stop drinking too much alcohol.
It’s now a huge group that supports people all over the world.
1967 – A Short War Changes a Region: The Six-Day War ended on June 10, 1967, after just six days of fighting.
Israel won and took control of new lands, which still affects the Middle East today.
2003 – Mars Rover Blasts Off: On this day in 2003, the Spirit Rover launched toward Mars.
It worked for years longer than expected, sending back tons of information about a planet far away from Earth.