October 10 has witnessed a range of significant events across centuries. From decisive military victories on Lake Erie in 1813 to the spark of revolution in China with the 1911 Wuchang Uprising, this date holds a unique place in history. Cultural and technological milestones also mark its legacy. What other moments shaped this day, and how do they connect to broader historical narratives? Explore further to uncover more.
History
Major Historical Events
1813 – Battle of Lake Erie Aftermath: Following the decisive American victory in the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813, during the War of 1812, October 10 marked a significant moment as the British forces in the region began their retreat, solidifying American control over the Great Lakes and paving the way for further military successes in the Northwest Territory.
1911 – Chinese Revolution Begins: The Wuchang Uprising, a key event in the Xinhai Revolution, erupted on October 10, 1911, in China. This revolt against the Qing Dynasty sparked widespread rebellion across the country, ultimately leading to the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the Republic of China under Sun Yat-sen.
1967 – Outer Space Treaty Enters into Force: On October 10, 1967, the Outer Space Treaty, formally known as the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, came into effect. Signed by major powers including the United States, Soviet Union, and United Kingdom, it established space as a domain for peaceful purposes, prohibiting the placement of nuclear weapons in orbit.
1973 – Spiro Agnew Resigns as U.S. Vice President: In a historic political scandal, Spiro Agnew resigned as Vice President of the United States on October 10, 1973, after pleading no contest to charges of tax evasion and bribery stemming from his time as Governor of Maryland. He became the second vice president in U.S. history to resign, and Gerald Ford was later appointed to replace him.
1985 – Achille Lauro Hijacking Crisis: On October 10, 1985, the hijacking of the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro by Palestinian militants came to a dramatic resolution when U.S. Navy fighters intercepted an Egyptian airliner carrying the hijackers, forcing it to land in Italy.
The incident, which began on October 7, had resulted in the murder of an American passenger, Leon Klinghoffer, and drew international attention to terrorism.
Famous Birthdays
1813 – Giuseppe Verdi: The legendary Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi was born on October 10, 1813, in Le Roncole, Italy. Renowned for operas such as “Aida,” “La Traviata,” and “Rigoletto,” Verdi became a central figure in 19th-century music and a symbol of Italian unification through his powerful works.
1954 – David Lee Roth: Rock icon David Lee Roth, the original lead singer of the band Van Halen, was born on October 10, 1954, in Bloomington, Indiana. Known for his energetic stage presence and hits like “Jump” and “Panama,” Roth helped define the hard rock genre in the 1970s and 1980s.
1969 – Brett Favre: Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Brett Favre was born on October 10, 1969, in Gulfport, Mississippi. With a storied career primarily with the Green Bay Packers, Favre set numerous records, including consecutive starts, and won a Super Bowl in 1997, becoming one of the most celebrated players in football history.
Notable Deaths
1872 – William H. Seward: William H. Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, passed away on October 10, 1872, in Auburn, New York. Best known for orchestrating the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867, often called “Seward’s Folly,” his diplomatic efforts shaped American expansion.
1964 – Eddie Cantor: American entertainer Eddie Cantor, a beloved comedian, singer, and actor, died on October 10, 1964, in Beverly Hills, California. Known as “Banjo Eyes” for his expressive face, Cantor starred in vaudeville, Broadway, and early television, leaving a lasting mark on entertainment.
2010 – Solomon Burke: Soul music pioneer Solomon Burke passed away on October 10, 2010, in Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands. Often called the “King of Rock and Soul,” Burke’s hits like “Cry to Me” and his powerful voice influenced generations of musicians, earning him a Grammy and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Today in Music History
1970 – Black Sabbath Releases “Paranoid”: On October 10, 1970, Black Sabbath’s iconic single “Paranoid” peaked on the UK charts, becoming one of the defining songs of heavy metal. Written in a rush to fill album space, the track from their second album showcased Ozzy Osbourne’s raw vocals and Tony Iommi’s groundbreaking riffs.
1979 – Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk” Debuts: Fleetwood Mac released their ambitious and experimental album “Tusk” on October 10, 1979, in the United States. A follow-up to the massively successful “Rumours,” the double album featured eclectic sounds and the hit title track, reflecting the band’s creative evolution.
Today in Sports History
1920 – World Series Game 5 Unassisted Triple Play: During Game 5 of the World Series on October 10, 1920, Cleveland Indians second baseman Bill Wambsganss executed the first and only unassisted triple play in World Series history against the Brooklyn Robins. This rare feat cemented his name in baseball lore as Cleveland went on to win the championship.
1968 – Detroit Tigers Win World Series: On October 10, 1968, the Detroit Tigers clinched the World Series title with a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 7. Pitcher Mickey Lolich earned MVP honors for his three wins in the series, marking a triumphant moment for the city of Detroit.
1973 – New York Mets Advance in NLCS: The New York Mets defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-2 in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on October 10, 1973, earning a trip to the World Series. Known as the “Ya Gotta Believe” Mets, their underdog story captivated fans during a remarkable postseason run.
Today in Military and Naval History
1845 – U.S. Naval Academy Opens: The United States Naval Academy was formally established on October 10, 1845, in Annapolis, Maryland. Founded to train officers for the U.S. Navy, the academy began with 50 midshipmen and has since become a cornerstone of American naval education and leadership.
1944 – Battle of Leyte Gulf Preparations: On October 10, 1944, Allied forces intensified preparations for the invasion of Leyte in the Philippines, a critical step in the Pacific Theater of World War II. This led to the massive Battle of Leyte Gulf later in the month, one of the largest naval engagements in history.
Today in Tech and Science History
1967 – First Weather Satellite Data Shared Internationally: On October 10, 1967, data from the U.S. weather satellite ESSA-2 was shared internationally for the first time under the World Weather Watch program. This marked a significant step in global meteorological cooperation, aiding in better weather forecasting worldwide.
1983 – First Commercial Cell Phone Call in the U.S.: Motorola executive Bob Galvin made history on October 10, 1983, by placing one of the first commercial cell phone calls in the United States using the DynaTAC 8000X, the world’s first handheld mobile phone. This call in Chicago heralded the dawn of the mobile communication era.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1897 – Felix Hoffmann Patents Aspirin: On October 10, 1897, German chemist Felix Hoffmann, working for Bayer, successfully synthesized acetylsalicylic acid in a stable form, later trademarked as Aspirin.
While the patent process finalized later, this date marks a key milestone in the development of one of the world’s most widely used drugs.
1928 – Premiere of “The Singing Fool”: The early sound film “The Singing Fool,” starring Al Jolson, had a significant release milestone on October 10, 1928, following its initial debut. A follow-up to “The Jazz Singer,” it became one of the highest-grossing films of the silent-to-sound shift era, showcasing the power of “talkies.”
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1918 – World’s Largest Typewriter Created: On October 10, 1918, reports emerged of a massive typewriter built by Underwood Typewriter Company, revealed as a promotional stunt in New York. Weighing over 14 tons and standing 18 feet tall, it was fully functional and typed letters the size of a human head, capturing public imagination.
1971 – London Bridge Opens in Arizona: On October 10, 1971, the historic London Bridge, dismantled and transported from England, was officially dedicated in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, after being purchased by developer Robert P. McCulloch. The bizarre relocation of this 1830s structure became a quirky symbol of American entrepreneurship.
Today in History for Kids
1845 – Naval Academy Starts Teaching Sailors: On October 10, 1845, a special school for training U.S. Navy officers opened in Maryland. Called the U.S. Naval Academy, it’s where young people learn to become leaders on ships and help protect the country from the sea.
1967 – Space Rules Are Made: On October 10, 1967, countries around the world agreed on a big rulebook for space called the Outer Space Treaty. It says space is for everyone to explore peacefully, and no one can put dangerous weapons up there.
1983 – First Cell Phone Call: Imagine a phone you can carry anywhere! On October 10, 1983, someone made one of the first calls on a mobile phone in America. It was huge and heavy, but it started the idea of talking to friends without being stuck at home.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
680 – Battle of Karbala: On October 10, 680, the tragic Battle of Karbala took place in present-day Iraq, where Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was killed. This event is deeply significant in Islamic history, especially for Shia Muslims, who commemorate it annually during Ashura.
1913 – Panama Canal Milestone: On October 10, 1913, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson triggered the detonation of the Gamboa Dike via telegraph from Washington, D.C., allowing water to flow between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Panama Canal for the first time, marking a major engineering achievement.
1970 – Fiji Gains Independence: On October 10, 1970, Fiji officially became independent from British colonial rule after nearly a century. This South Pacific island nation celebrated its sovereignty, adopting its own government while maintaining ties to the Commonwealth.
1986 – Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake in El Salvador: A devastating earthquake struck San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, on October 10, 1986, killing over 1,500 people and leaving tens of thousands homeless. The disaster highlighted the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity and spurred international aid efforts.