1692: First Salem witch hanging
The first execution linked to the Salem witch trials took place on June 10, 1692. The hanging marked the beginning of one of the most notorious episodes in colonial American history and became a lasting symbol of fear, suspicion and miscarriages of justice.
1752: Benjamin Franklin’s kite experiment
Benjamin Franklin carried out his famous kite experiment during a thunderstorm on June 10, 1752. Using a silk kite fitted with a metal wire and key, he collected an electrical charge in a jar. Although he was not the first to demonstrate that lightning was electrical, the experiment became a defining moment in the study of electricity.
1768: John Hancock’s ship seized
British customs officials seized John Hancock’s ship, The Liberty, on June 10, 1768, suspecting that cargo had been unloaded without duties being paid. The incident became a notable point of tension between colonial merchants and British authorities.
1770: Great Barrier Reef encountered by James Cook
British explorer Captain James Cook became the first European to discover the Great Barrier Reef off Australia on June 10, 1770, when his vessel struck the coral formation and began leaking. The ship was later beached and repaired, allowing the voyage to continue.
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1898: US Marines land in Cuba
US Marines landed in Cuba on June 10, 1898, during the Spanish-American War. The deployment formed part of the broader military campaign and reflected the expanding role of American forces in the conflict.
1907: France and Japan sign China agreement
France and Japan signed an agreement on June 10, 1907, affirming the independence and integrity of China, equality in trade and the existing balance of power in the Far East. The accord represented a diplomatic effort to preserve stability in the region.
1933: Bonnie Parker injured in car accident
Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker crashed their car into a ravine on June 10, 1933. Parker suffered severe third-degree burns that affected her for the remainder of her life, making the accident one of the most consequential incidents involving the notorious duo.
1933: Mount Rushmore joins National Park Service
US President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order on June 10, 1933, placing Mount Rushmore under the National Park Service. The move brought the monument within the federal park system and strengthened its national significance.
1935: Alcoholics Anonymous founded
Alcoholics Anonymous was founded on June 10, 1935. The organisation went on to become one of the most widely recognised support groups for people seeking recovery from alcohol addiction.
1940: Italy enters World War II
Italy, led by Benito Mussolini, declared war on France and Great Britain on June 10, 1940, officially entering World War II. The decision expanded the conflict and aligned Italy directly with the Axis war effort.
1940: Norway surrenders to Germany
Norway surrendered to Germany on June 10, 1940, following military operations during World War II. The capitulation marked a significant development in the war’s early stages in Europe.
1942: Lidice destroyed by Nazi forces
Nazi troops obliterated the village of Lidice in Czechoslovakia on June 10, 1942. All adult males were killed, while most surviving women and children were deported to concentration camps. The action was carried out in retaliation for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich despite there being no confirmed evidence linking the village to the plot.
1943: Liquidation of Lodz ghetto ordered
Heinrich Himmler ordered the final liquidation of the Lodz ghetto in occupied Poland on June 10, 1943. The directive formed part of Nazi policies during World War II and had devastating consequences for the ghetto’s remaining population.
1946: Italian Republic established
The Italian Republic was established on June 10, 1946. The event marked a major political transformation in Italy and ushered in a new chapter in the country’s governance.
1963: Equal Pay Act becomes law
US President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law on June 10, 1963. The legislation represented a significant step toward addressing wage disparities and promoting fairness in the workplace.
1967: Six-Day War ends
The Six-Day War concluded on June 10, 1967, with a United Nations-brokered ceasefire between Israel and its Arab neighbours. Israel secured a swift victory, significantly expanded the territory under its control and captured the Old City of Jerusalem, including the Western Wall.
1972: Elvis Presley records live album
Elvis Presley recorded a live album at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 10, 1972. The recording captured a major performance by one of the most influential figures in popular music.
1977: James Earl Ray escapes prison
James Earl Ray, the convicted killer of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., escaped from a Tennessee prison on June 10, 1977. He remained at large for approximately 54 hours before being recaptured.
1994: China conducts nuclear test
China carried out a nuclear test at Lop Nor on June 10, 1994. The test represented another development in the country’s nuclear programme.
2007: The Sopranos airs final episode
HBO broadcast the final episode of The Sopranos on June 10, 2007. The landmark television series, centred on Mafia boss Tony Soprano played by James Gandolfini, concluded after becoming one of the most influential dramas in television history.
2013: Man of Steel premieres
Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder and starring Henry Cavill and Amy Adams, premiered in New York City on June 10, 2013. The release marked a major moment for the Superman film franchise.
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