Historical Discoveries

1938: American aviator and entrepreneur Howard Hughes began his historic around-the-world flight. The flight was a solo journey that would take Hughes approximately 91 hours to complete, covering a distance of 14,672 miles. Howard Hughes’ around-the-world flight was a remarkable achievement that pushed the boundaries of aviation technology and paved the way for future advances in long-distance air travel.

1962: The patent for the three-point seat belt, one of the most important safety inventions in automotive history, was filed by Nils Bohlin, a Swedish engineer working for Volvo. Bohlin’s invention revolutionized car safety by providing a simple yet effective way to restrain passengers during accidents. The three-point seat belt uses a combination of lap and shoulder straps to hold the occupant securely in place, spreading the force of the impact over a larger area of the body and reducing the risk of serious injury or death.

Scientific Breakthroughs

1908: Heike Kamerlingh Onnes was a Dutch physicist who succeeded in liquefying helium for the first time ever. He was the first person to ever observe the liquid form of this element. Onnes’ groundbreaking work earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1913, and his laboratory at Leiden University became a center for research in low-temperature physics.

1962: The Telstar 1 satellite, developed by Bell Telephone Laboratories, was successfully launched into orbit. This groundbreaking satellite enabled the first live transatlantic television signal transmission, paving the way for global satellite communication.

Political Milestones

1559: Following the death of Henry II, Francis II became the King of France at the age of 15. His short reign was marked by political instability and religious strife, leading to the French Wars of Religion.

1925: The infamous Scopes Trial began in Dayton, Tennessee. This court case, which questioned the legality of teaching evolution in public schools, sparked a nationwide debate on science, religion, and education that continues to this day.

1973: The Bahamas gained independence from Great Britain, becoming a sovereign nation. The move towards independence had been in the works for several years, and the Bahamas had already achieved self-government in 1964. The country’s leaders felt that full independence was necessary to fully assert their national identity and pursue economic development. The Bahamian flag was raised for the first time, and the national anthem, “March On, Bahamaland,” was sung.

Cultural Events

1965: The Rolling Stones achieved their first #1 hit with their song “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”. The song, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, became an instant classic and has since been recognized as one of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time.

2012: Nikola Tesla Day is an annual celebration held on July 10th to honor the life and work of Nikola Tesla. It is celebrated around the world with events and activities that showcase Tesla’s legacy and inspire future generations to pursue science and technology.

Notable Birthdays

• Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) – A Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer, was born in Smiljan, Austrian Empire (modern-day Croatia). Tesla’s pioneering work in the development of alternating current (AC) technology has had a lasting impact on the field of electrical power generation and transmission.
• Karl Plagge (1897–1957) – A German engineer and Wehrmacht officer, was born in Darmstadt, Germany. Plagge is remembered for his efforts to save hundreds of Jews from the Holocaust during World War II, for which he was posthumously recognized as one of the Righteous Among the Nations.
• Marcel Proust (1871–1922) – A French novelist, essayist, and critic known for his magnum opus, the novel “In Search of Lost Time” (also known as “Remembrance of Things Past”). Proust’s work is widely regarded as one of the greatest achievements in Western literature, and his themes of memory, time, and perception continue to influence modern literature and culture.
• Jessica Simpson (1980) – An American singer, actress, and fashion designer who rose to fame in the late 1990s with her hit song “I Wanna Love You Forever”. She has since released several successful albums and also ventured into acting and fashion design. Simpson has been recognized for her contributions to the entertainment industry and her philanthropic work.
• Fiona Shaw (1958) – An Irish actress known for her roles in films such as “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” and the TV series “Killing Eve”. She has won several awards for her acting, including a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her role in “Medea” on Broadway.
• Chiwetel Ejiofor (1977) – A British actor known for his roles in films such as “12 Years a Slave” (for which he received an Academy Award nomination) and “Doctor Strange”. He has also appeared in several stage productions and has been recognized for his contributions to acting and the arts.
• Sofia Vergara (1972) – A Colombian-American actress and model known for her role on the hit TV series “Modern Family”. She has also appeared in several films and commercials, and has been recognized for her work as an actress and entrepreneur. She has been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards for her role on “Modern Family”.

Final Word

July 10th has left an indelible mark on the course of history. From influencing scientific progress to sparking cultural movements and celebrating inspiring life stories, this day reminds us that change is always possible – no matter how large or small.