On This Day — May 10

Famous events, births, and deaths from May 10 in history, plus the public holidays, religious observances, sports, and national days happening on this date today.

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60 events · 176 births · 74 deaths recorded for May 10.

🕰️ Notable Events on May 10

2013 — One World Trade Center becomes the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Wikipedia ↗
2012 — The Damascus bombings are carried out using a pair of car bombs detonated by suicide bombers outside of a military intelligence complex in Damascus, Syria, killing 55 people and injuring 400 others. Wikipedia ↗
2005 — A hand grenade thrown by Vladimir Arutyunian lands about 65 feet (20 meters) from U.S. President George W. Bush while he is giving a speech to a crowd in Tbilisi, Georgia, but it malfunctions and does not detonate. Wikipedia ↗
2002 — FBI agent Robert Hanssen is sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for selling United States secrets to Russia for $1.4 million in cash and diamonds. Wikipedia ↗
1997 — The 7.3 Mw Qayen earthquake strikes Iran's Khorasan Province, killing 1,567, injuring over 2,300, leaving 50,000 homeless, and damaging or destroying over 15,000 homes. Wikipedia ↗
1994 — Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa's first black president. Wikipedia ↗
1993 — In Thailand, a fire at the Kader Toy Factory kills 156 workers. Wikipedia ↗
1981 — François Mitterrand wins the presidential election and becomes the first Socialist President of France in the French Fifth Republic. Wikipedia ↗
1975 — Sony introduces the Betamax videocassette recorder in Japan. Wikipedia ↗
1972 — In the Vietnam War, the US had two fighter ace crews. The USAF's Ritchie and DeBellevue scored their first kill while the USN's Cunningham and Driscoll scored their third, fourth and fifth kills. Wikipedia ↗
1970 — Bobby Orr scores "The Goal"[1][better source needed] to win the 1970 Stanley Cup Finals, for the Boston Bruins' fourth NHL championship in their history. Wikipedia ↗
1969 — Vietnam War: The Battle of Dong Ap Bia begins with an assault on Hill 937. It will ultimately become known as Hamburger Hill. Wikipedia ↗
1967 — The Northrop M2-F2 crashes on landing, becoming the inspiration for the novel Cyborg and TV series The Six Million Dollar Man. Wikipedia ↗
1962 — Marvel Comics publishes the first issue of The Incredible Hulk. Wikipedia ↗
1960 — The nuclear submarine USS Triton completes Operation Sandblast, the first underwater circumnavigation of the earth. Wikipedia ↗
1954 — Bill Haley & His Comets release "Rock Around the Clock", the first rock and roll record to reach number one on the Billboard charts. Wikipedia ↗
1948 — The Republic of China implements "temporary provisions" granting President Chiang Kai-shek extended powers to deal with the Communist uprising; they will remain in effect until 1991. Wikipedia ↗
1946 — First successful launch of an American V-2 rocket at White Sands Proving Ground. Wikipedia ↗
1942 — World War II: The Thai Phayap Army invades the Shan States during the Burma Campaign. Wikipedia ↗
1941 — World War II: The House of Commons in London is damaged by the Luftwaffe in an air raid. Wikipedia ↗
1941 — World War II: Rudolf Hess parachutes into Scotland to try to negotiate a peace deal between the United Kingdom and Nazi Germany. Wikipedia ↗
1940 — World War II: German fighters accidentally bomb the German city of Freiburg. Wikipedia ↗
1940 — World War II: German raids on British shipping convoys and military airfields begin. Wikipedia ↗
1940 — World War II: Germany invades Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Wikipedia ↗
1940 — World War II: Winston Churchill is appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom following the resignation of Neville Chamberlain. Wikipedia ↗
1940 — World War II: Invasion of Iceland by the United Kingdom. Wikipedia ↗
1933 — Censorship: In Germany, the Nazis stage massive public book burnings. Wikipedia ↗
1924 — J. Edgar Hoover is appointed first Director of the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and remains so until his death in 1972. Wikipedia ↗
1922 — The United States annexes the Kingman Reef. Wikipedia ↗
1916 — Sailing in the lifeboat James Caird, Ernest Shackleton arrives at South Georgia after a journey of 800 nautical miles from Elephant Island. Wikipedia ↗
1908 — Mother's Day is observed for the first time in the United States, in Grafton, West Virginia. Wikipedia ↗
1904 — The Horch & Cir. Motorwagenwerke AG is founded. It would eventually become the Audi company. Wikipedia ↗
1877 — Romania declares itself independent from the Ottoman Empire following the Senate adoption of Mihail Kogălniceanu's Declaration of Independence. Wikipedia ↗
1876 — The Centennial Exposition is opened in Philadelphia by U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant and Brazilian Emperor Dom Pedro II. Wikipedia ↗
1872 — Victoria Woodhull becomes the first woman nominated for President of the United States. Wikipedia ↗
1869 — The First Transcontinental Railroad, linking the eastern and western United States, is completed at Promontory Summit, Utah with the golden spike. Wikipedia ↗
1866 — Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen is crowned the Ruling Prince of the United Principalities of Romania. Wikipedia ↗
1865 — American Civil War: Jefferson Davis is captured by U.S. troops near Irwinville, Georgia. Wikipedia ↗
1865 — American Civil War: In Kentucky, Union soldiers ambush and mortally wound Confederate raider William Quantrill, who lingers until his death on June 6. Wikipedia ↗
1864 — American Civil War: Colonel Emory Upton leads a 10-regiment "Attack-in-depth" assault against the Confederate works at The Battle of Spotsylvania, which, though ultimately unsuccessful, would provide the idea for the massive assault against the Bloody Angle on May 12. Upton is slightly wounded but is immediately promoted to brigadier general. Wikipedia ↗
1857 — Indian Rebellion of 1857: In India, the first war of Independence begins. Sepoys mutiny against their commanding officers at Meerut. Wikipedia ↗
1849 — Astor Place Riot: A riot breaks out at the Astor Opera House in Manhattan, New York City over a dispute between actors Edwin Forrest and William Charles Macready, killing at least 25 and injuring over 120. Wikipedia ↗
1837 — Panic of 1837: New York City banks fail, and unemployment reaches record levels. Wikipedia ↗
1833 — The desecration of the grave of the viceroy of southern Vietnam Lê Văn Duyệt by Emperor Minh Mạng provokes his adopted son to start a revolt. Wikipedia ↗
1824 — The National Gallery in London opens to the public. Wikipedia ↗
1801 — First Barbary War: The Barbary pirates of Tripoli declare war on the United States of America. Wikipedia ↗
1796 — War of the First Coalition: Napoleon I of France wins a victory against Austrian forces at Lodi bridge over the Adda River in Italy. The Austrians lose some 2,000 men. Wikipedia ↗
1775 — American Revolutionary War: A small Colonial militia led by Ethan Allen and Colonel Benedict Arnold captures Fort Ticonderoga. Wikipedia ↗
1775 — American Revolutionary War: Representatives from the Thirteen Colonies begin the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Wikipedia ↗
1774 — Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette become King and Queen of France. Wikipedia ↗
1773 — The Parliament of Great Britain passes the Tea Act, designed to save the British East India Company by granting it a monopoly on the North American tea trade. Wikipedia ↗
1768 — John Wilkes is imprisoned for writing an article for The North Briton severely criticizing King George III. This action provokes rioting in London. Wikipedia ↗
1688 — King Narai nominates his daughter Sudawadi to succeed him with Constantine Phaulkon, Mom Pi and Phetracha acting as regents. The ensuing revolution leads to the Ayutthaya Kingdom severing all ties with Europe. Wikipedia ↗
1655 — England, with troops under the command of Admiral William Penn and General Robert Venables, annexes Jamaica from Spain. Wikipedia ↗
1534 — Jacques Cartier visits Newfoundland. Wikipedia ↗
1503 — Christopher Columbus visits the Cayman Islands and names them Las Tortugas after the numerous turtles there. Wikipedia ↗
1497 — Amerigo Vespucci allegedly leaves Cádiz for his first voyage to the New World. Wikipedia ↗
1291 — Scottish nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England pending the selection of a king. Wikipedia ↗
A sunspot is observed by Han dynasty astronomers during the reign of Emperor Cheng of Han, one of the earliest dated sunspot observations in China. Wikipedia ↗
Siege of Jerusalem: Titus, son of emperor Vespasian, opens a full-scale assault on Jerusalem and attacks the city's Third Wall to the northwest. Wikipedia ↗

🎂 Notable Births on May 10

1996 — Tyus Jones, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
1996 — Kateřina Siniaková, Czech tennis player Wikipedia ↗
1995 — Missy Franklin, American swimmer Wikipedia ↗
1995 — Gabriella Papadakis, French ice dancer Wikipedia ↗
1993 — Tímea Babos, Hungarian tennis player Wikipedia ↗
1992 — Charice Pempengco, Filipino singer-songwriter and actress Wikipedia ↗
1990 — Josh Dugan, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
1990 — Salvador Pérez, Venezuelan baseball player Wikipedia ↗
1990 — Ivana Španović, Serbian long jumper Wikipedia ↗
1989 — Andrea Boehlke, Survivor contestant and People Now host Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Wilson Chandler, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Kévin Constant, French-Guinean footballer Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Emilio Izaguirre, Honduran footballer Wikipedia ↗
1985 — Ryan Getzlaf, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1985 — Jon Schofield, English canoe racer Wikipedia ↗
1984 — Edward Mujica, Venezuelan baseball player Wikipedia ↗
1984 — Pe'er Tasi, Israeli singer Wikipedia ↗
1983 — Gustav Fridolin, Swedish journalist and politician, Swedish Minister of Education Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Samuel Dalembert, Haitian-Canadian basketball player Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Humberto Suazo, Chilean footballer Wikipedia ↗
1978 — Bruno Cheyrou, French footballer Wikipedia ↗
1978 — Kenan Thompson, American actor Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Henri Camara, Senegalese footballer Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Adrian Morley, English rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Sergei Nakariakov, Russian trumpet player Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Chas Licciardello, Australian comedian, screenwriter and producer Wikipedia ↗
1975 — Torbjørn Brundtland, Norwegian singer-songwriter and producer Wikipedia ↗
1975 — Hélio Castroneves, Brazilian race car driver Wikipedia ↗
1975 — Adam Deadmarsh, Canadian-American ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1974 — Sylvain Wiltord, French footballer Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Joshua Eagle, Australian tennis player Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Aviv Geffen, Israeli singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Ollie le Roux, South African rugby player Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Rüştü Reçber, Turkish footballer Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Leigh Sales, Australian journalist and television host Wikipedia ↗
1972 — Radosław Majdan, Polish footballer Wikipedia ↗
1971 — Monisha Kaltenborn, Indian-Swiss lawyer and businesswoman Wikipedia ↗
1971 — Craig Mack, American rapper and producer Wikipedia ↗
1971 — Ådne Søndrål, Norwegian speed skater Wikipedia ↗
1970 — Gabriela Montero, Venezuelan-American pianist Wikipedia ↗
1970 — David Weir, Scottish footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
1969 — Dennis Bergkamp, Dutch footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
1969 — John Scalzi, American author and blogger Wikipedia ↗
1968 — Al Murray, English comedian and television host Wikipedia ↗
1968 — Tatyana Shikolenko, Russian javelin thrower Wikipedia ↗
1967 — Eion Crossan, New Zealand rugby player Wikipedia ↗
1967 — Nobuhiro Takeda, Japanese footballer and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
1966 — Jonathan Edwards, English triple jumper Wikipedia ↗
1965 — Linda Evangelista, Canadian model Wikipedia ↗
1965 — Greg Fasala, Australian swimmer Wikipedia ↗
1965 — Paul Langmack, Australian rugby league player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1965 — Rony Seikaly, Lebanese-American basketball player and radio host Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Lisa Nowak, American commander and astronaut Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Debbie Wiseman, English composer and conductor Wikipedia ↗
1960 — Bono, Irish singer-songwriter, musician, humanitarian, venture capitalist, businessman, philanthropist and activist Wikipedia ↗
1960 — Dean Heller, American lawyer and politician, 15th Secretary of State of Nevada Wikipedia ↗
1960 — Merlene Ottey, Jamaican-Slovenian runner Wikipedia ↗
1959 — Victoria Rowell, American actress Wikipedia ↗
1959 — Danny Schayes, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
1958 — Tauseef Ahmed, Pakistani cricketer Wikipedia ↗
1958 — Gaétan Boucher, Canadian speed skater Wikipedia ↗
1958 — Rick Santorum, American lawyer and politician Wikipedia ↗
1957 — Sid Vicious, English singer and bass player (d. 1979) Wikipedia ↗
1956 — Vladislav Listyev, Russian journalist (d. 1995) Wikipedia ↗
1955 — Mark David Chapman, American murderer Wikipedia ↗
1952 — Kikki Danielsson, Swedish singer Wikipedia ↗
1952 — Sly Dunbar, Jamaican drummer Wikipedia ↗
1952 — Vanderlei Luxemburgo, Brazilian footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
1950 — Natalya Bondarchuk, Russian actress and director Wikipedia ↗
1949 — Miuccia Prada, Italian fashion designer Wikipedia ↗
1948 — Meg Foster, American actress Wikipedia ↗
1947 — Caroline B. Cooney, American author Wikipedia ↗
1946 — Donovan, Scottish singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, and actor Wikipedia ↗
1946 — Graham Gouldman, English guitarist and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1946 — Dave Mason, English singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
1946 — Diderik Wagenaar, Dutch composer and theorist Wikipedia ↗
1944 — Jim Abrahams, American director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1944 — Marie-France Pisier, French actress, director, and screenwriter (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
1942 — Jim Calhoun, American basketball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1942 — Carl Douglas, Jamaican singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1941 — Aydın Güven Gürkan, Turkish academician and politician (d. 2006) Wikipedia ↗
1940 — Arthur Alexander, American country-soul singer-songwriter (d. 1993) Wikipedia ↗
1940 — Wayne Dyer, American author and educator (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
1938 — Henry Fambrough, American soul singer Wikipedia ↗
1938 — Manuel Santana, Spanish tennis player Wikipedia ↗
1937 — Tamara Press, Ukrainian shot putter and discus thrower Wikipedia ↗
1935 — Larry Williams, American singer-songwriter, pianist, and producer (d. 1980) Wikipedia ↗
1934 — Kenneth D. Taylor, Canadian diplomat (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
1933 — Jean Becker, French actor, director, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1933 — Barbara Taylor Bradford, English-American author Wikipedia ↗
1932 — Karthigesu Sivathamby, Sri Lankan author and academic (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
1931 — Ettore Scola, Italian director and screenwriter (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
1930 — George E. Smith, American physicist and engineer, Nobel Prize laureate Wikipedia ↗
1930 — Pat Summerall, American football player and sportscaster (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
1929 — Audun Boysen, Norwegian runner (d. 2000) Wikipedia ↗
1929 — George Coe, American actor and producer (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
1929 — Antonine Maillet, Canadian author and playwright Wikipedia ↗
1928 — Arnold Rüütel, Estonian agronomist and politician, 3rd President of Estonia Wikipedia ↗
1928 — Lothar Schmid, German chess player (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
1927 — Nayantara Sahgal, Indian author Wikipedia ↗
1927 — Mike Souchak, American golfer (d. 2008) Wikipedia ↗
1926 — Hugo Banzer, Bolivian general and politician, 62nd President of Bolivia (d. 2002) Wikipedia ↗
1923 — Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan general and politician, 3rd President of Azerbaijan (d. 2003) Wikipedia ↗
1923 — Otar Korkia, Georgian basketball player and coach (d. 2005) Wikipedia ↗
1922 — David Azrieli, Polish-Canadian businessman and philanthropist (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
1922 — Nancy Walker, American actress, singer, and director (d. 1992) Wikipedia ↗
1920 — Basil Kelly, Northern Irish barrister, judge and politician (d. 2008) Wikipedia ↗
1920 — Bert Weedon, English guitarist (d. 2012) Wikipedia ↗
1919 — Ella T. Grasso, Governor of Connecticut (d. 1981) Wikipedia ↗
1918 — T. Berry Brazelton, American pediatrician and author Wikipedia ↗
1918 — Desmond MacNamara, Irish painter, sculptor, and author (d. 2008) Wikipedia ↗
1918 — Diva Diniz Corrêa, Brazilian zoologist (d. 1993) Wikipedia ↗
1916 — Milton Babbitt, American composer and educator (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
1915 — Denis Thatcher, English soldier and businessman, Spouse of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (d. 2003) Wikipedia ↗
1911 — Bel Kaufman, American author and educator (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
1909 — Maybelle Carter, American autoharp player (d. 1978) Wikipedia ↗
1908 — Carl Albert, American lawyer and politician, 54th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (d. 2000) Wikipedia ↗
1905 — Markos Vamvakaris, Greek singer-songwriter and bouzouki player (d. 1972) Wikipedia ↗
1904 — David Brown, English businessman (d. 1993) Wikipedia ↗
1903 — Otto Bradfisch, German economist, jurist, and SS officer (d. 1994) Wikipedia ↗
1902 — Anatole Litvak, Ukrainian-American director, producer, and screenwriter (d. 1974) Wikipedia ↗
1902 — H. C. Asterley, British author and diplomat (d. 1973) Wikipedia ↗
1902 — David O. Selznick, American director and producer (d. 1965) Wikipedia ↗
1901 — John Desmond Bernal, Irish-English crystallographer and physicist (d. 1971) Wikipedia ↗
1901 — Hildrus Poindexter, American bacteriologist (d. 1987) Wikipedia ↗
1900 — Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, English-American astronomer and astrophysicist (d. 1979) [2] Wikipedia ↗
1899 — Fred Astaire, American actor, singer, and dancer (d. 1987) Wikipedia ↗
1898 — Ariel Durant, American historian and author (d. 1981) Wikipedia ↗
1897 — Einar Gerhardsen, Norwegian politician, 15th Prime Minister of Norway (d. 1987) Wikipedia ↗
1896 — Alberts Ozoliņš, Latvian weightlifter (d. 1985) Wikipedia ↗
1894 — Dimitri Tiomkin, Ukrainian-American composer and conductor (d. 1979) Wikipedia ↗
1893 — Tonita Peña, San Ildefonso Pueblo (Native American) artist (d. 1949) Wikipedia ↗
1891 — Mahmoud Mokhtar, Egyptian sculptor and academic (d. 1934) Wikipedia ↗
1890 — Alfred Jodl, German general (d. 1946) Wikipedia ↗
1889 — Mae Murray, American actress (d. 1965) Wikipedia ↗
1888 — Max Steiner, Austrian-American composer and conductor (d. 1971) Wikipedia ↗
1886 — Karl Barth, Swiss theologian and author (d. 1968) Wikipedia ↗
1886 — Felix Manalo, Filipino religious leader, founded Iglesia ni Cristo (d. 1963) Wikipedia ↗
1879 — Symon Petliura, Ukrainian journalist and politician (d. 1926) Wikipedia ↗
1878 — Konstantinos Parthenis, Greek painter (d. 1967) Wikipedia ↗