May 10 has witnessed a range of pivotal moments that shaped history across centuries. From political upheavals and wartime leadership changes to groundbreaking achievements in technology and exploration, this date holds a unique significance. Events on this day have influenced nations and cultures in profound ways. What specific milestones stand out on this date? Uncover the stories that have left an indelible mark on the past.
History
Major Historical Events
1768 – Rioting in London over John Wilkes’ Imprisonment: On this day, riots broke out in London as supporters of the radical politician John Wilkes protested his imprisonment for seditious libel.
Wilkes had criticized King George III in his publication, leading to his arrest.
The public outcry resulted in violent clashes with authorities, marking a significant moment in the fight for freedom of the press.
1773 – Passage of the Tea Act: The British Parliament passed the Tea Act on May 10, aiming to bail out the struggling British East India Company by granting it a monopoly on tea sales in the American colonies.
This act, though intended to lower tea prices, angered colonists due to the accompanying taxes and lack of representation, ultimately contributing to the Boston Tea Party later that year.
1869 – Completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad: A historic milestone was achieved in the United States as the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads met at Promontory Summit, Utah, completing the first transcontinental railroad.
This monumental project connected the East and West Coasts, revolutionizing transportation and trade across the nation.
1940 – Winston Churchill Becomes Prime Minister of the UK: On this day, Winston Churchill was appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, succeeding Neville Chamberlain during a critical moment in World War II.
Churchill’s leadership and resolute speeches would inspire the British people through some of the darkest days of the conflict.
1960 – USS Triton Completes First Submerged Circumnavigation: The U.S. Navy submarine USS Triton completed the first fully submerged circumnavigation of the globe on May 10, under the command of Captain Edward L. Beach Jr.
This remarkable feat, part of Operation Sandblast, showcased advancements in nuclear submarine technology and endurance.
Famous Birthdays
1838 – John Wilkes Booth: The infamous American actor and assassin of President Abraham Lincoln was born on this day in Bel Air, Maryland.
Booth’s act of violence in 1865 would forever mark him as a tragic figure in U.S. history.
1899 – Fred Astaire: The legendary American dancer, singer, and actor Fred Astaire was born in Omaha, Nebraska.
Known for his unparalleled grace and partnership with Ginger Rogers, Astaire became an icon of Hollywood’s Golden Age through films like “Top Hat” and “Swing Time.”
1960 – Bono: The Irish singer-songwriter and frontman of the rock band U2, Paul David Hewson, known as Bono, was born in Dublin, Ireland.
His powerful voice and activism on global issues like poverty and AIDS have made him a cultural icon.
1969 – Dennis Bergkamp: The Dutch footballer, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, was born on this day in Amsterdam.
Bergkamp’s skill and vision on the field, especially with Arsenal FC, earned him a lasting legacy in the sport.
Notable Deaths
1774 – Louis XV of France: The French monarch, who reigned for nearly 59 years, passed away on this day at the Palace of Versailles.
Known as “Louis the Beloved” early in his reign, his later years were marked by political and financial struggles that foreshadowed the French Revolution.
1818 – Paul Revere: The American patriot and silversmith, famous for his midnight ride to warn of British troop movements before the Battles of Lexington and Concord, died on May 10 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Revere’s legacy as a symbol of American independence endures.
1863 – Stonewall Jackson: Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson died on this day after being accidentally wounded by his own troops during the Battle of Chancellorsville.
His death was a significant blow to the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.
Today in Music History
1977 – Adam and the Ants Form: On this day, the influential punk and new wave band Adam and the Ants was formed by Adam Ant in London.
Their unique style and hits like “Stand and Deliver” would shape the music scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
1985 – “We Are the World” Certified Multi-Platinum: The charity single “We Are the World,” recorded by USA for Africa to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia, was certified multi-platinum on May 10.
Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, it became one of the best-selling singles of all time.
1994 – Weezer Releases Debut Album: The American rock band Weezer released their self-titled debut album, often called the “Blue Album,” on this day.
With hits like “Buddy Holly,” the album became a defining work of alternative rock in the 1990s.
Today in Sports History
1973 – New York Knicks Win NBA Championship: The New York Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers on May 10 to win the NBA Championship, marking their second title in franchise history.
Led by players like Walt Frazier and Willis Reed, the victory cemented their place in basketball lore.
2010 – Dallas Braden’s Perfect Game: Oakland Athletics pitcher Dallas Braden threw a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays on this day, becoming only the 19th pitcher in MLB history to achieve the feat.
The game, coincidentally, was on Mother’s Day, adding a personal touch as Braden celebrated with his grandmother.
Today in Military and Naval History
1940 – Germany Invades Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg: On May 10, Nazi Germany launched a blitzkrieg offensive, invading Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg as part of their campaign in Western Europe during World War II.
This aggressive move marked the beginning of the Battle of France.
1941 – Rudolf Hess Parachutes into Scotland: In a bizarre turn of events, Nazi deputy leader Rudolf Hess parachuted into Scotland on this day, allegedly to negotiate peace with Britain.
His unauthorized mission failed, and he was imprisoned for the remainder of the war.
1960 – USS Triton’s Historic Voyage Ends: The nuclear-powered submarine USS Triton completed its submerged circumnavigation of the world on May 10, returning to Groton, Connecticut.
This operation demonstrated the strategic capabilities of nuclear submarines during the Cold War.
Today in Tech and Science History
1857 – Indian Rebellion Begins with Telegraph Disruption: On this day, the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, began with the capture of Delhi by mutineers.
They cut telegraph lines to disrupt British communication.
This marked a pivotal moment in colonial history and the use of technology in warfare.
1997 – Deep Blue Defeats Garry Kasparov: IBM’s chess-playing computer, Deep Blue, defeated world champion Garry Kasparov on May 10 in a rematch game.
This victory marked a historic milestone in artificial intelligence.
It showcased the growing power of computers in complex problem-solving.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1813 – First Performance of Beethoven’s “Wellington’s Victory”: Ludwig van Beethoven’s orchestral work “Wellington’s Victory,” commemorating the Duke of Wellington’s triumph over Napoleon’s forces, premiered on this day in Vienna.
Though not one of his most celebrated works, it reflected the era’s political fervor.
1924 – J. Edgar Hoover Appointed FBI Director: On May 10, J. Edgar Hoover was appointed as the director of the Bureau of Investigation, which later became the FBI.
His long tenure shaped American law enforcement and culture, often depicted in films and literature.
1967 – Rolling Stone Magazine’s First Issue Planned: While not officially published until November, the concept and planning for the first issue of Rolling Stone magazine began around May 10.
Founders Jann Wenner and Ralph J. Gleason envisioned a publication dedicated to music and counterculture.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1908 – First Mother’s Day Celebration: The first official Mother’s Day celebration in the United States took place on May 10 in Grafton, West Virginia, initiated by Anna Jarvis.
Ironically, Jarvis later campaigned against the holiday’s commercialization, finding the greeting card industry’s involvement distasteful.
1994 – John Wayne Gacy Executed: On this day, infamous serial killer John Wayne Gacy was executed by lethal injection in Illinois.
Known as the “Killer Clown” for performing at children’s events in costume, his chilling crimes shocked the nation.
Today in History for Kids
1869 – Golden Spike Ceremony: On May 10, a super cool event happened in Utah when two big railroads joined together with a golden spike.
This created the first railroad across the whole United States, making it way easier for people to travel from one side of the country to the other.
1940 – Winston Churchill Takes Charge: A brave leader named Winston Churchill became the head of Britain on this day during a scary time called World War II.
He helped cheer everyone up with his strong words and guided his country through tough battles.
1960 – Submarine Goes Around the World: Imagine a submarine traveling all around the world underwater!
On May 10, the USS Triton finished this amazing trip without coming up to the surface even once, showing how awesome technology can be.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1775 – Second Continental Congress Convenes: On this day, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, just weeks after the start of the American Revolutionary War.
This gathering would eventually lead to the Declaration of Independence the following year.
1801 – Tripoli Declares War on the United States: The First Barbary War began when the Pasha of Tripoli declared war on the U.S. on May 10 over disputes about tribute payments.
This conflict marked one of America’s earliest overseas military engagements.
1926 – First Flight Over the North Pole Claimed: Though later disputed, explorer Richard E. Byrd claimed to have completed the first flight over the North Pole on May 10 with pilot Floyd Bennett.
This daring feat, whether fully verified or not, captured the world’s imagination.
1996 – Deadly Everest Disaster: On May 10, a tragic blizzard struck Mount Everest, leading to the deaths of eight climbers in one of the deadliest days on the mountain.
The event, later chronicled in books and films like “Into Thin Air,” highlighted the dangers of high-altitude climbing.