Discover what happened on October 10 in history as groundbreaking achievements transformed science and transportation, cultural milestones changed sports and entertainment, historic events reshaped nations, and Michigan moments helped shape the world we know today.
What Happened on October 10 in History?
On this day, the Detroit Tigers completed an incredible comeback to win the 1968 World Series, Snoopy first imagined himself battling the Red Baron, the Wuchang Uprising helped launch the Chinese Revolution, and Hurricane Michael struck Florida as a Category 5 storm.
OCTOBER 10 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
1845 – The United States Naval Academy opened in Annapolis, MD, with 50 students and seven professors. Originally called the Naval School, it was established to provide formal education and training for U.S. Navy officers.
1846 – English astronomer William Lassell discovered Triton, the largest moon of Neptune, just 17 days after the planet itself had been discovered.
1865 – Inventor John Wesley Hyatt began developing a substitute for ivory billiard balls, work that eventually led him to develop celluloid, one of the first commercially successful plastics.
1871 – The Great Chicago Fire finally burned itself out after devastating about 3½ square miles of the city. At least 300 people died, more than 17,000 structures were destroyed, and roughly 100,000 people — about one-third of Chicago’s population — were left homeless. The exact cause of the fire was never determined.
1881 – Three Michigan railroads — the Michigan Central, Detroit, Mackinac & Marquette, and Grand Rapids & Indiana — formed the Mackinac Transportation Company to operate ferry service across the Straits of Mackinac. The service eventually transported entire railroad cars between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas and continued operating for more than a century.
1886 – The tuxedo dinner jacket reportedly made its American debut at the exclusive Tuxedo Club in Tuxedo Park, NY. The shortened formal jacket soon took its name from the club.
1887 – Thomas Edison organized the Edison Phonograph Company to market his improved phonograph, helping bring recorded sound into American homes and businesses.
1911 – The Wuchang Uprising began in China, launching the revolution that eventually overthrew the Qing dynasty and ended more than 2,000 years of imperial rule in China. October 10 later became known as “Double Ten Day.”
1933 – Procter & Gamble introduced Dreft, the first synthetic detergent marketed for household use in the United States.
1945 – The Detroit Tigers defeated the Chicago Cubs 9-3 in Game 7 of the World Series at Wrigley Field, giving Detroit its second World Series championship.
1959 – Pan American World Airways inaugurated around-the-world jet service, helping usher international air travel into the jet age.
1964 – The Summer Olympics opened in Tokyo, Japan. Television pictures from the Games were transmitted across the Pacific by satellite, marking a major milestone in live international television broadcasting.
1965 – Snoopy first imagined himself as a World War I flying ace battling the Red Baron in Charles Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip. The recurring fantasy became one of Snoopy’s most famous alter egos.
1968 – The Detroit Tigers completed an incredible comeback to win the World Series, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 4-1 in Game 7. Detroit had trailed the Series three games to one before winning three straight. Mickey Lolich pitched his third complete-game victory of the Series and was named World Series MVP.
1970 – Fiji gained its independence from Great Britain after 96 years of British colonial rule. The new Fijian flag was raised during ceremonies in the capital city of Suva.
1973 – Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned from office and pleaded no contest to a charge of federal income tax evasion. He became only the second U.S. vice president to resign from office.
1977 – Joe Namath played the last game of his National Football League career.
1978 – President Jimmy Carter signed legislation authorizing the Susan B. Anthony dollar, making Anthony the first woman depicted on a circulating U.S. coin.
1987 – British adventurer Tom McClean completed a solo row across the Atlantic Ocean in a record 54 days and 18 hours.
1993 – Iron Chef debuted on Japanese television, introducing viewers to Kitchen Stadium and its elaborate cooking battles. The series later became an international hit and inspired several American versions.
1995 – Garry Kasparov defeated Viswanathan Anand to retain the World Chess Championship after a month-long match held at the World Trade Center in New York City.
2001 – President George W. Bush unveiled the FBI’s list of 22 Most Wanted Terrorists as the United States expanded its response to the September 11 terrorist attacks.
2003 – Radio host Rush Limbaugh announced that he was addicted to prescription painkillers and would enter a rehabilitation program.
2018 – Hurricane Michael slammed into the Florida Panhandle near Mexico Beach as a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 160 mph. It was the first Category 5 hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and one of the strongest storms ever to strike the country.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON OCTOBER 10:
Leroy Hood – 88 years old (1938) – Biologist and academic
Lily Tuck – 88 years old (1938) – Novelist and short story writer
Peter Coyote – 85 years old (1941) – Actor, director, and screenwriter
Frederick Barthelme – 83 years old (1943) – Novelist and short story writer
Ben Vereen – 80 years old (1946) – Actor, singer, and dancer
Cyril Neville – 78 years old (1948) – R&B percussionist and singer
Warren Burt – 77 years old (1949) – American-Australian composer
Jessica Harper – 77 years old (1949) – Actress
Nora Roberts – 76 years old (1950) – Author
Gus Williams – 73 years old (1953) – Basketball player
David Lee Roth – 72 years old (1954) – Singer-songwriter and producer
Tanya Tucker – 68 years old (1958) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Julia Sweeney – 67 years old (1959) – Actress, comedian, producer, and screenwriter
Bradley Whitford – 67 years old (1959) – Actor and producer
Crystal Waters – 65 years old (1961) – Singer-songwriter, musician and producer
Bai Ling – 60 years old (1966) – Chinese-American model and actress
Michael Giacchino – 59 years old (1967) – Composer
Jonathan Littell – 59 years old (1967) – American-French author and humanitarian
Mike Malinin – 59 years old (1967) – Drummer and producer
Gavin Newsom – 59 years old (1967) – Businessman and politician, 40th and current Governor of California
Brett Favre – 57 years old (1969) – Football player
Wendi McLendon-Covey – 57 years old (1969) – Actress
Mario Lopez – 53 years old (1973) – Actor, television personality, and producer
Zach Thornton – 53 years old (1973) – Soccer player and coach
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 52 years old (1974) – Race car driver and actor
Plácido Polanco – 51 years old (1975) – Dominican-American baseball player
Bob Burnquist – 50 years old (1976) – Brazilian-American skateboarder
Pat Burrell – 50 years old (1976) – Baseball player
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe – 48 years old (1978) – Model and actress
Mýa – 47 years old (1979) – Singer-songwriter, producer, dancer, and actress
Tony Khan – 44 years old (1982) – Sports executive
Ryan Hollins – 42 years old (1984) – Basketball player and commentator
Paul Posluszny – 42 years old (1984) – Football player
Troy Tulowitzki – 42 years old (1984) – Baseball player
Andrew McCutchen – 40 years old (1986) – Baseball player
Ryan Mathews – 39 years old (1987) – Football player
Shelby Miller – 36 years old (1990) – Baseball player
Geno Smith – 36 years old (1990) – Football player
Kolten Wong – 36 years old (1990) – Baseball player
Michael Carter-Williams – 35 years old (1991) – Basketball player
Anthony Brown – 34 years old (1992) – Basketball player
Mike Tobey – 32 years old (1994) – American-Slovenian basketball player
Marquez Valdes-Scantling – 32 years old (1994) – Football player
Courtland Sutton – 31 years old (1995) – Football player
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR OCTOBER 10:
- National Handbag Day: From totes to satchels to clutches, treat yourself to a new handbag. With so many options, you’re sure to find something that reflects who you are.
- National Chess Day: Strategy, thinking, creativity and endless possibilities fill the game of chess with fun and interesting opportunities for play!
- Bookshop Day: Bookshop Day is a special occasion for book lovers everywhere. It celebrates the charm and importance of local bookshops. These places are more than just stores; they are community hubs where people can gather, discover new stories, and connect over shared interests. The day is a reminder of the joy...
- World Homeless Day: Help raise awareness about the 100 million+ people worldwide who are homeless, and donate to helping these people.
- I Love Yarn Day: Hop on social media to get involved in I Love Yarn Day, a day for sharing and exploring all sorts of yarn-based crafts, from knitting to crochet and beyond.
- World Porridge Day: Learn about the health benefits of porridge, eat some yourself, and volunteer to help feed the hungry on this just-right day devoted to this fiber-rich dish.
- National Cake Decorating Day: Try your hand at cake decorating. From sheet cake to cupcakes, complex frosting flowers to simple sprinkles, there’s something out there for everyone.
- National Motorcycle Ride Day: National Motorcycle Ride Day fires up engines every second Saturday in October. It's a thrilling day when motorcycle enthusiasts across the country hit the road to celebrate the joy and community of biking. This day isn't just about enjoying a ride; it's about connecting with fellow riders and embracing the...
- Dysautonomia Awareness Month: Join or host a fundraising event, do your research, and help raise awareness about dysautonomia, a class of diseases affected the autonomic nervous system.
- World Day Against the Death Penalty: Championing the cause for justice, standing firm against the irreversible, advocating for a fair and humane legal system.
- Love Your Bookshop Day: We all have a bookshop that holds a special place in our hearts. Love Your Bookshop Day celebrates these cherished local havens of literature and community. It is an exciting event that brings book lovers together to celebrate the charm and significance of local bookshops. These stores offer much more...
- Universal Music Day: Music is a natural part of life on this planet and Universal Music Day is here to raise awareness about and celebrate its benefits!
- National Costume Swap Day: While Halloween is meant to be spooky, the feeling doesn’t have to transfer over to the cost of buying a costume – or to the millions of tons of clothing that end up in landfills every year! National Costume Swap Day offers a distinct opportunity to celebrate Halloween with a...
- National Hug a Drummer Day: Honor the backbone of every band by giving a drummer a hug — or take the plunge and learn to drum yourself.
- National Angel Food Cake Day: A cake so light and fluffy that “an angel could eat it and still fly without being weighed down”, Angel Food Cake is a delightful and delicious treat to enjoy. National Angel Food Cake Day brings the perfect reason to celebrate this tasty cake boasting a recipe that was likely...
- Holy Translators Day: Holy Translators Day celebrates the incredible contribution of scholars who brought knowledge to their people through translation. This special day highlights those who dedicated their lives to making important works accessible to a wider audience, especially in Armenia. By translating key religious and literary texts, including the Bible, they played...
- Phuket Vegetarian Festival: The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a lively and spiritual event that transforms the island into a vibrant hub of culture and devotion. Each year, the festival draws large crowds to witness a unique celebration that blends tradition, faith, and community spirit. Participants follow a strict vegetarian diet, believing it will...
- International Stage Management Day: Behind every breathtaking stage show, there's someone quietly making sure everything runs like clockwork—that's the stage manager. From the moment rehearsals begin to the final curtain call, these multitasking pros guide the chaos behind the scenes. They cue the lights, prompt the actors, and coordinate the crew. You may never see...
- World Animal Road Accident Awareness Day: World Animal Road Accident Awareness Day starts with a simple truth—roads can be deadly for animals. Every time we drive, we enter a space shared with wildlife. Foxes slip through hedges, deer wander across highways, and even small creatures like frogs or hedgehogs try to cross. They don't know traffic rules...
- National Midwifery Week: Midwifery is a practice that has been around since ancient times, where an experienced person is called upon to assist and lead when a woman is giving birth. Having evolved over the years, midwives are now extremely skilled and go through rigorous training to give compassionate and competent care to...
- Inclusion Day: Inclusion Day celebrates the idea that everyone matters. It’s a time when people come together to honour differences—whether in ability, background, or belief. The goal is simple: make sure every person feels seen, heard, and valued. It’s not about grand gestures. Even small acts—like listening without judgment or inviting someone new...
- National Dance Week: Dancing is a pastime that has been part of human life and culture for thousands of years. Whether dancing during religious and cultural festivals or simply out of personal joy and delight, people have incorporated dance into life at every turn. National Dance Week aims to bring to public attention the...
- National Walk to a Park Day: National Walk to a Park Day was established through the initiatives of the Trust for Public Land, a group of concerned citizens who believe that every human being should have access to the outdoors! History of National Walk to a Park Day Fighting for healthy, livable communities, the non-profit organization, Trust for...
- National Hug a Kevin Day: National Hug a Kevin Day brings a lighthearted twist to the calendar. This quirky celebration encourages people to share a warm embrace with anyone named Kevin. Whether it's a friend, family member, or colleague, the day offers a fun excuse to spread joy and laughter. It's not just about the...
- SHIFT10 Day: Shift 10% of your shopping to local sellers on SHIFT10 Day, to support local businesses, farmer’s markets, and other alternatives to big box stores.
- International African Penguin Awareness Day: While many people think of penguins as cold climate inhabitants, such as the ones in Antarctica, these delightful creatures can also be found off the southern coast of Africa in rather temperate climates. International African Penguin Awareness Day is here to bring attention to these rare flightless birds! History of...
- World Gulab Jamun Day: Mouthwatering spheres, dripping with sweetness—delightful treats that capture the essence of culinary indulgence and celebration.
- World Plant-Based Burger Day: World Plant-Based Burger Day celebrates a tasty shift in how we eat. This day shines a spotlight on burgers made entirely from plants—no meat, just wholesome ingredients. These burgers are crafted from foods like beans, grains, and vegetables, offering a delicious alternative to traditional meat patties. Whether you're a long-time vegetarian...
- National Formalwear Day: National Formalwear Day is all about stepping into something a little sharper than usual. It's that moment when you zip up a dress or button your best shirt and instantly feel a bit more special. There’s something fun about trading jeans for a blazer, or sneakers for shiny shoes. This day...
- Urban Wildlife Conservation Day: People thrive on nature, no matter where they live! And considering that 80% of the US population lives in or near an urban context, it is vital to consider ways to protect and stay connected with wildlife and nature in a local setting. Urban Wildlife Conservation Day encourages everyone to not...
- International Jumping Spider Day: International Jumping Spider Day is a fun and friendly celebration of one of nature’s tiniest show-stealers. These little spiders aren’t the creepy kind. They’re curious, alert, and surprisingly cute. With their big eyes and jerky, playful movements, they’ve charmed people across the world. On this day, fans post close-up photos, trade...
- World Mental Health Day: Focus on improving your own mental health, ending the stigma surrounding it, and supporting others through World Mental Health Day events and fundraisers.
- National Curry Week: Savor vibrant spices and rich blends, an aromatic dance on your palate, igniting a culinary journey of delight.
- Baby Loss Awareness Week: Baby Loss Awareness Week brings light to a tender topic, uniting those touched by the loss of a baby. Celebrated from the 9th to the 15th of October every year, it offers a meaningful time for parents, families, and friends to honor and remember their dearly missed babies. This week serves...
- Rtveli: Rtveli is a vibrant grape harvest festival celebrated across Georgia. It is a joyful blend of hard work and celebration. It's a time when people unite to collect the fruits of their labor and honor the cultural heritage of winemaking that has been cherished for generations. The festival extends beyond...
- Haemophilia Awareness Week: Haemophilia Awareness Week plays a crucial role in shining a light on bleeding disorders. This week helps educate the public about haemophilia, a genetic condition that affects blood clotting. People with haemophilia bleed longer than usual, which can lead to serious health issues. By raising awareness, the event aims to...
- Hispanic Heritage Month: Join an event, forum, or exhibition for Hispanic Heritage Month, and appreciate the art, history, and cultural offerings of this rich and expansive heritage.
- Mental Illness Awareness Week: Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an annual event that highlights mental health issues. It takes place during the first week of October and aims to educate and reduce stigma around mental illnesses. This initiative brings together individuals and organizations across the nation, highlighting the urgent need for dialogue and...
- National Spinning and Weaving Week: Two different crafts that often go together, spinning and weaving are ancient practices that are still relevant in modern times to producing all sorts of textiles and fabrics. Spinning in the process of spinning raw fibers, like cotton or wool, into threads. Weaving uses the threads or yarn to layer...
- International Cephalopod Awareness Days: International Cephalopod Awareness Days bring attention to some of the ocean’s most surprising animals. These aren’t your average sea creatures. Octopuses, squids, cuttlefish, and nautiluses all belong to this wild underwater group. They move like dancers, shift colors like mood rings, and squeeze through tiny cracks like soft-bodied escape artists. People...
- Fire Prevention Week: Head over to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) website to learn what you need to do to protect your home and community in case of a fire.
- Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week: These superheroes of the hospital kitchen ensure patients receive delicious, nutritious meals, taking pride in boosting morale and recovery.
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