On This Day in History

June 10

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1997
Science

NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor Begins Aerobraking

NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor began its aerobraking maneuver to enter a stable orbit around Mars. The mission provided a detailed map of the planet and revolutionized our understanding of Martian geology.

📍 Mars Orbit

Science Space NASA
1997
Culture

Reconstruction of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Completed

A modern reconstruction of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre opened to the public in London, replicating the original 1599 design and reviving Elizabethan theatre for contemporary audiences.

📍 London, United Kingdom

Culture Theatre United Kingdom
1981
Invention

Microsoft Releases First Version of MS-DOS

Microsoft released MS-DOS 1.0, its first operating system for IBM personal computers. MS-DOS became the foundation for early computing and helped establish Microsoft as a tech giant.

📍 Seattle, Washington, United States

Invention Computing Microsoft
1976
Politics

Canada Abolishes the Death Penalty for Civilian Crimes

The Canadian Parliament passed legislation to abolish the death penalty for civilian crimes, replacing it with life imprisonment. The move marked a major shift in Canadian criminal justice policy.

📍 Ottawa, Canada

Politics Justice Canada
1976
Invention

First Public Demonstration of Cray-1 Supercomputer

The Cray-1 supercomputer, the world’s fastest at the time, was publicly demonstrated. Its revolutionary design set a new standard in high-performance computing and launched the supercomputing era.

📍 Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico, United States

Invention Computing USA
1965
Culture

Saul Bellow’s ‘Herzog’ Wins the U.S. National Book Award

Saul Bellow received the National Book Award for his novel 'Herzog,' a defining work in American postwar literature that explored themes of alienation and identity with philosophical depth and wit.

📍 New York City, United States

Culture Literature USA
1964
Tragedy

The Great Alaskan Earthquake Aftershock Hits Anchorage

An intense aftershock struck Anchorage, Alaska, following the massive 1964 earthquake earlier that year. The seismic event reminded residents of the ongoing geological instability in the region.

📍 Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Tragedy Earthquake USA
1944
Tragedy

Massacre at Oradour-sur-Glane by Nazi SS Troops

German Waffen-SS troops massacred 642 civilians in the French village of Oradour-sur-Glane. The atrocity became a symbol of Nazi brutality during their retreat from France in World War II.

📍 Oradour-sur-Glane, France

Tragedy WWII France
1940
War

Italy Declares War on France and Britain in World War II

Benito Mussolini declared war on France and the United Kingdom, formally entering Italy into World War II as part of the Axis powers. The move dramatically expanded the conflict across Europe and Africa.

📍 Rome, Italy

War WWII Italy
1921
Culture

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Born

Prince Philip, consort of Queen Elizabeth II and the longest-serving royal consort in British history, was born on the Greek island of Corfu. He played a prominent role in public life for over seven decades.

📍 Corfu, Greece

Culture Monarchy United Kingdom
1919
Exploration

First Flight of Vickers Vimy by Alcock and Brown

John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown took off in a Vickers Vimy aircraft for the first nonstop transatlantic flight, which they successfully completed on June 15. It marked a milestone in aviation history.

📍 St. John's, Newfoundland

Exploration Aviation UK
1905
Culture

First Performance of Richard Strauss’s Opera 'Salome'

Richard Strauss's controversial opera 'Salome' was performed for the first time in Graz, Austria. Its provocative themes and musical innovation made it a landmark in early 20th-century opera.

📍 Graz, Austria

Culture Opera Austria
1903
Politics

Assassination of King Alexander of Serbia Triggers Balkan Crisis

King Alexander I of Serbia and Queen Draga were assassinated during a military coup. The event marked a dramatic shift in Serbian politics and helped ignite regional instability in the Balkans.

📍 Belgrade, Serbia

Politics Balkans Assassination
1860
Politics

Abraham Lincoln Nominated as U.S. Republican Presidential Candidate

Abraham Lincoln was formally nominated as the Republican Party’s candidate for President of the United States. His election later that year set the stage for the American Civil War.

📍 Chicago, Illinois, United States

Politics USA Lincoln
1815
Politics

Congress of Vienna Concludes After Napoleonic Wars

The Congress of Vienna concluded after redrawing Europe’s borders post-Napoleon. It aimed to restore monarchies and establish a balance of power, influencing European diplomacy for decades.

📍 Vienna, Austria

Politics Europe Post-Napoleonic
1815
War

Napoleon's Troops Begin Campaign That Ends at Waterloo

Napoleon’s army began its final campaign by moving into Belgium, setting the stage for the Battle of Waterloo. This campaign would mark the end of his rule and the Napoleonic Wars.

📍 Belgium

War Napoleon France Europe
1800
Politics

U.S. President John Adams Moves Government to Washington, D.C.

President John Adams became the first U.S. president to move into the new federal capital, Washington, D.C., beginning the permanent seat of the U.S. government in the District of Columbia.

📍 Washington, D.C., United States

Politics USA Presidency
1668
Politics

Portugal and Spain Sign Treaty of Lisbon Ending Iberian War

Portugal and Spain signed the Treaty of Lisbon, officially ending the Portuguese Restoration War. The treaty confirmed Portuguese independence after 60 years under Spanish rule.

📍 Lisbon, Portugal

Politics Portugal Spain Treaty
1580
Culture

Portugal Celebrates National Day Honoring Luís de Camões

Portugal observes its National Day on the anniversary of the death of national poet Luís de Camões, author of 'Os Lusíadas'. The holiday honors Portuguese heritage and cultural pride worldwide.

📍 Lisbon, Portugal

Culture Portugal Literature
1386
Politics

Portugal and England Sign the Treaty of Windsor

Portugal and England signed the Treaty of Windsor, establishing a formal alliance that remains the oldest active diplomatic alliance in the world.

📍 Windsor, England

Politics Alliances Portugal United Kingdom