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May 10 in History: Transcontinental Railroad Completed, Hulk Debuts, and Skype Sold to Microsoft

Scott Winters May 10, 2026

Discover what happened on May 10 in history, along with notable events that shaped transportation, entertainment, and modern technology.

What Happened on May 10 in History?

Important events on this day include completion of the first transcontinental railroad, the debut of Marvel’s Incredible Hulk, and Microsoft’s purchase of Skype.

MAY 10 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1508 – Michelangelo officially started painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling. The 5,000 square feet of frescoes with over 300 figures took him four years to complete.

1773 – The English Parliament passed the Tea Act, which taxed all tea in the U.S. colonies.

1865 – Confederate President Jefferson Davis was captured by the 4th Michigan Cavalry, commanded by Col. Prichard (of Allegan, MI), near Irvinville, GA.

1869 – Central Pacific and Union Pacific Rail Roads met at Promontory Summit, UT. A golden spike was driven in at the celebration of the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S.

1872 – Victoria Woodhull became the first woman nominated for the U.S. Presidency.

1877 – Telephones were installed at the White House in Washington, D.C.. Our 19th President, Rutherford B. Hayes, becomes the first President to use a phone in the White House.

1893 – The Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Nix vs. Hedden that a tomato is a vegetable, not a fruit, under the Tariff Act of 1883.

1898 – A vending machine law was enacted in Omaha, NE. It cost $5,000 for a permit.

1908 – The first Mother’s Day observance took place during a church service in Grafton, WV.

1924 – J. Edgar Hoover became the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and remained so until his death in 1972.

1927 – The Hotel Statler in Boston, MA. became the first hotel to install radio headsets in each of its 1,300 rooms.

1930 – The Adler Planetarium opened to the public in Chicago, IL.

1954 – Bill Haley & His Comets released “Rock Around the Clock”, the first rock and roll record to reach number one on the Billboard charts.

1960 – The U.S.S. Triton completed the first circumnavigation of the globe entirely underwater. The trip started on February 16.

1962 – Marvel Comics published the first issue of “The Incredible Hulk.”

1969 – The National and American Football Leagues announced their plans to merge for the 1970-71 season.

1972 – 12 year old Carolyn King took the field to play as the first girl in the United States to play Little League Baseball.

1975 – Sony introduced the Betamax videocassette recorder in Japan.

1983 – The last episode of TV’s “Laverne and Shirley” was broadcast on ABC.

1994 – The state of Illinois executed convicted serial killer John Wayne Gacy for the murders of 33 young men and boys.

1996 – The movie “Twister”, starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton as storm chansers, premiered in theaters.

1999 – The Cezanne painting “Still Life With Curtain, Pitcher and Bowl of Fruit” sold for 60.5 million.

2000 – Seven years after questioning the safety of saline breast implants, the FDA allowed the two largest manufacturers to market the devices despite the new evidence of serious health risks.

2000 – 11,000 residents were evacuated in Los Alamos, NM, due to a fire that was blown into a canyon. The fire had been deliberately set to clear brush.

2001 – Boeing Co. announced that it would be moving its headquarters to Chicago, IL.

2001 – After losing roughly $70 million, the XFL, co-sponsored by NBC and the World Wrestling Federation, shut down operations after just one season.

2001 – The FBI discovered several thousand pages of documents related to the Oklahoma City bombing that the agency never turned over to the lawyers for Timothy McVeigh.

2002 – Robert Hanssen was sentenced to life in prison with no chance for parole. Hanssen, an FBI agent, had sold U.S. secrets to Moscow for $1.4 million in cash and diamonds.

2002 – Dr. Pepper announced that it would be introducing a new flavor, Red Fusion, for the first time in 117 years.

2005 – The iTunes Music Store reached 400 million songs sold.

2011 – It was announced that Microsoft had closed a deal to purchase the internet phone service Skype for $8.5 billion.

2013 – In New York, NY, crane operators hoisted the final pieces of the spire atop One World Trade Center (formerly called the Freedom Tower), making it the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

2024 – Start of the May 2024 Solar Storms, the most powerful set of Geomagnetic storms since the 2003 Halloween solar storms.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON MAY 10:

Jim Calhoun – 84 years old (1942) – Basketball player and coach

Chris Berman – 71 years old (1955) – Sportscaster

Mark David Chapman – 71 years old (1955) – Murderer

Rick Santorum – 68 years old (1958) – Lawyer and politician, United States Senator from Pennsylvania

Victoria Rowell – 67 years old (1959) – Actress

Cindy Hyde-Smith – 67 years old (1959) – Politician, United States Senator from Mississippi

Dean Heller – 66 years old (1960) – Lawyer and politician, United States Senator from Nevada

Robby Thompson – 64 years old (1962) – Baseball player and coach

Lisa Nowak – 63 years old (1963) – Commander and astronaut

John Scalzi – 57 years old (1969) – Author and blogger

Kenan Thompson – 48 years old (1978) – Actor and comedian

Andrew Anderson – 31 years old (1995) – Bowler

Missy Franklin – 31 years old (1995) – Swimmer

Tyus Jones – 30 years old (1996) – Basketball player

Alex Tuch – 30 years old (1996) – Ice hockey player

Brittany Broski – 29 years old (1997) – Comedian and singer

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR MAY 10:

National Small Business Day: Celebrate National Small Business Day by supporting local shops, honoring entrepreneurs’ creativity and resilience, and strengthening communities and local economies.
National Lipid Day: National Lipid Day raises awareness of lipids, dyslipidemia, and heart health, encouraging screenings, healthier habits, and informed choices for prevention.
Trust Your Intuition Day: Trust Your Intuition Day celebrates listening to your inner voice, strengthening self-awareness, decision-making, and confidence through mindful, intuitive practices.
National Veal Ban Action Day: Discover National Veal Ban Action Day, raising awareness of calf cruelty, promoting compassionate food choices, and inspiring action for better animal welfare.
National Washington Day: Discover National Washington Day, honoring the Evergreen State’s stunning landscapes, rich culture, tech innovation, and agricultural bounty across the nation.
National Clean Your Room Day: Celebrate National Clean Your Room Day by decluttering, donating, and organizing to boost mood, reduce stress, and create a cleaner, happier personal space.
One Day Without Shoes Day: Discover the impact of going barefoot for a day. One Day Without Shoes Day raises awareness of global poverty and inspires action to help children in need.
Mother Ocean Day: Mother Ocean Day honors the beauty, mystery, and vital role of the oceans, inspiring education, sustainable choices, and deeper respect for marine life.
World Lupus Day: World Lupus Day raises global awareness of lupus, an often-misunderstood autoimmune disease, encouraging education, advocacy, support, and research.
National Shrimp Day: Celebrate National Shrimp Day by enjoying favorite shrimp dishes, learning fun shrimp facts, and exploring the history, health benefits, and allergies of this seafood.
National Ship Via Rail Day: National Ship Via Rail Day honors rail shipping’s role in efficient, cost-effective, low-emission freight transport and its historic impact on commerce and industry.
International Day of Argania: Every year during this time of year, people worldwide celebrate the International Day of Argania. This special day celebrates the argan tree, an ancient species that has grown in Morocco for about 80 million years. These trees are not just old; they play a crucial role in the local economy and...
Deaf Awareness Week: Deaf Awareness Week is the one week when society can really make an effort to raise public awareness of the issues that can affect deaf people and their culture. Society and its development are entwined with the growth of deaf communities and deaf education this week. It’s when we can...
National German Shepherd Day: National German Shepherd Day celebrates one of the most admired dog breeds in the world. These dogs are known for their sharp minds, steady focus, and strong work ethic. You’ll often see them in uniforms or helping people with daily tasks. But they’re more than just workers—they’re loyal companions too. Their...
Mother’s Day: Discover the meaning and history of Mother’s Day, with heartfelt ideas to honor moms, grandmas and mother figures through time, memories and celebration.
National Nurse’s Week: Give a big thank-you to the hard-working, often under-paid medical professionals who keep hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes and hospice care running.
Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week: The topic of postpartum support used to be something that was not spoken of in ‘polite company’, but in recent decades, the conversation – and subsequent action – has been promising. In 2005, Brooke Shields released her book Down Came the Rain, which told her story with postpartum depression (PPD)...
Children’s Book Week : Spark the joy of exploration in young minds through tales that open doors to realms of endless fascination and growth.
Screen-Free Week: Have you ever tried turning off your screens for a whole week? Imagine a week without your phone, computer, or TV. This is what Screen-Free Week is all about. It happens every year during the first week of May. During this time, people across the globe power down their devices...
Christian Aid Week: Christian Aid Week is an important time that provides urgent humanitarian relief to the less fortunate and urges long-term programs to help. It calls out the plight of the suffering, giving immediate aid. But it does more; it stands up for the rights of - and demands justice for -...
Dog Anxiety Awareness Week: Dog Anxiety Awareness Week spotlights a common but often overlooked issue affecting our canine companions. This special week encourages dog owners to recognize and address the signs of anxiety in their pets, promoting a happier, healthier life for them! How to Celebrate Dog Anxiety Awareness Week Be a Detective for the...
Dying Matters Awareness Week: Dying Matters Awareness Week is a vibrant annual event in the UK. This week encourages open conversations about death, dying, and bereavement. It invites communities to break the silence around these often-taboo subjects to foster a more supportive environment for everyone facing these realities. How to Observe Dying Matters Week Host a...
National Mills Weekend: National Mills Weekend is a vibrant event in the UK, where hundreds of windmills and watermills open their doors to the public. How to Celebrate National Mills Weekend Visit a Local Mill Start your adventure by visiting a nearby windmill or watermill. Many open their doors to the public during National Mills...
Tracky Dack Day: Tracky Dack Day is a funny name for a serious cause. This annual event, run by TLC for Kids, encourages people to wear their favorite track pants (aka 'tracky dacks'!) to support children in hospitals! The name brings a smile, but the mission is profound. It raises awareness and funds...
Somerset Day: Somerset Day turns the spotlight on the stunning county of Somerset in southwest England. This day isn't just a date on the calendar; it's a heartfelt tribute to Somerset's rich tapestry of life! From its historical battles to modern-day festivals, Somerset has carved its niche as a place of beauty...
National Public Gardens Week: National Public Gardens Week shines a spotlight on the incredible beauty and significance of public gardens. Held each year in early May, it's a week-long celebration designed to highlight the vital role these gardens play in our communities. From fragrant flower displays to serene landscapes, they offer more than just...
National Hospital Week: Whether performing a small elective procedure or treating a life-threatening illness, hospitals are critical places that make a huge difference in the health of individuals, families and communities across the nation. National Hospital Week is here to celebrate and show appreciation for all of the different people who are integral...
National Stuttering Awareness Week: National Stuttering Awareness Week focuses on understanding stuttering and supporting those who live with it. Stuttering is a speech condition that affects the flow of speaking, and it touches millions of people worldwide. This week encourages open conversations and helps break the silence around a challenge many face every day. It...
I Love My State Parks Week: The United States defines up to 10,000 different areas as state parks. State parks protect more than 14 million acres of landscape, ranging from coastal beaches to forests, sandy deserts to swampland. In addition, state parks provide local residents with opportunities for recreation, access to clean and safe green spaces...