Historical Events

1971: An 11-pound chondrite-type meteorite broke into several pieces and landed near the town of Archie in Cass County, Missouri. The meteorite was later named the Archie meteorite and is considered one of the best-preserved meteorites of its type.

1977: Serial killer David Berkowitz, also known as the “Son of Sam,” was arrested in Yonkers, New York, for a series of murders that had terrorized New York City for over a year. Berkowitz had been on a killing spree, targeting young couples in their cars and leaving behind taunting letters addressed to the police.

2017: A 106-year-old fruitcake had been discovered in Antarctica. The fruitcake, made by the British company Huntley & Palmers was discovered in a hut that had been used by British explorer Robert Falcon Scott during his Terra Nova Expedition from 1910 to 1913. It is believed to be in almost perfect condition due to the extreme cold and dry weather conditions in Antarctica.

Political Milestones

1792: A group of insurgents stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris, France, where King Louis XVI was residing with his family. This event is often seen as a turning point in the French Revolution, as it marked the beginning of the end of the French monarchy.

1809: The city of Quito, located in what is now Ecuador, declared independence from Spain. The declaration was made by a group of Creole elites, who were inspired by the recent independence movements in the United States and France. The Declaration of Independence was initially successful, with the Spanish colonial authorities in Quito being expelled and a provisional government being established.

1821: Missouri was admitted to the Union as the 24th state. However, Missouri’s admission to the Union was controversial, as it was a slave state and its entry threatened to upset the balance of power between free and slave states in the United States.

Technological Achievements

1937: Canon Inc. was established in Tokyo, Japan. The company was originally named Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory and was founded by a group of scientists led by Takeshi Mitarai. The company’s initial focus was on the development of cameras and other optical equipment. Over the years, Canon has become a leading manufacturer of a wide range of products, including cameras, printers, copiers, and medical equipment.

Cultural Events

1793: The Louvre Museum officially opened in Paris, France. Originally a palace, the Louvre had been home to the kings and queens of France for centuries before being converted into a public museum during the French Revolution. Today, the Louvre is home to over 35,000 works of art, including the iconic Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and Venus de Milo.

1981: Baseball legend Pete Rose broke Stan Musial’s National League record by getting his 3,631st hit. Rose played for the Philadelphia Phillies at the time and achieved the milestone hit against pitcher Jerry Koosman of the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Notable Birthdays

1. Herbert Hoover (1874–1964) – The 31st President of the United States (1929–1933), a mining engineer and humanitarian. He led the country during the early years of the Great Depression. He was also known for his work in famine relief, serving as head of the Commission for Relief in Belgium during World War I.
2. Charles Darrow (1889–1967) – An American game designer who is best known for creating the board game Monopoly. He came up with the idea during the Great Depression. After being turned down by several game manufacturers, he decided to produce and sell the game himself. Monopoly became a huge success and has since become one of the most popular board games in history.
3. Jack Haley (1898–1979) – An American actor and singer who appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career. He is perhaps best known for his role as the Tin Man in the classic film The Wizard of Oz.
4. Rhonda Fleming (1923–2020) – An American actress known for her roles in films such as Spellbound and The Spiral Staircase. She was also known for her work in television, appearing in shows like The Virginian and The Love Boat.
5. Jimmy Dean (1928–2010) – An American singer, actor, and businessman who founded the Jimmy Dean Food Company. He began his career as a country singer in the 1950s and had several hits, including “Big Bad John” and “The First Thing Ev’ry Morning”. Later in his career, he turned to acting.
6. Eddie Fisher (1928–2010) – An American singer and actor who had numerous hits in the 1950s and 1960s, including “Oh! My Pa-Pa” and “Wish You Were Here”. He also appeared in films like Bundle of Joy and Butterfield 8.
7. Ronnie Spector (1943) – An American singer known for her work as the lead vocalist of the Ronettes. The group had several hits in the 1960s, including “Be My Baby” and “Walking in the Rain”.
8. Suzanne Collins (1962) – An American author best known for writing the Hunger Games trilogy. The books, which were later adapted into successful films, tell the story of a dystopian society in which teenagers are forced to compete in a televised fight to the death.
9. Kylie Jenner (1997) – An American television personality known for her appearances on the reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians. She is also a successful businesswoman and has her own cosmetics company, Kylie Cosmetics.

Final Word

From the birth of notable figures to the creation of beloved board games, August 10th has been a day of significant occurrences. This day, we also see various establishments such as the start of Canon and the revolution of optical lenses, as well as the 24th state of America. All of these only serve as a reminder of the greatness of humanity, and how we truly are the most intelligent species on earth.