Discover what happened on November 10 in history as a devastating storm claimed a legendary Great Lakes freighter, a beloved children’s television program made its debut, remarkable inventions changed everyday life, and one of the world’s most famous diamonds traveled through the U.S. mail.
What Happened on November 10 in History?
On this day, the United States Marine Corps traces its founding to 1775, Mary Anderson received her windshield wiper patent, the Hope Diamond arrived at the Smithsonian by registered mail, Sesame Street premiered on television, and the Edmund Fitzgerald sank during a violent Lake Superior storm.
NOVEMBER 10 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
1775 – The Continental Congress authorized the creation of two battalions of Continental Marines, establishing the organization recognized as the beginning of the United States Marine Corps. The original Continental Marines were disbanded after the Revolutionary War, and the modern Marine Corps was formally established in 1798.
1871 – Journalist and explorer Henry Morton Stanley located Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone in Ujiji, near Lake Tanganyika in present-day Tanzania. Stanley later popularized the famous greeting, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”
1879 – Western Union and the Bell Telephone Company reached a settlement in their legal battle over telephone patents. Western Union withdrew from the telephone business, strengthening Bell’s position in the rapidly growing industry.
1903 – Inventor Mary Anderson received a U.S. patent for a manually operated windshield-cleaning device that allowed drivers to clear rain and snow without leaving their vehicles. Her invention helped pave the way for the modern windshield wiper.
1919 – The American Legion opened its first national convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, bringing together World War I veterans to help shape the organization’s future.
1951 – Mayor M. Leslie Denning of Englewood, New Jersey, placed a telephone call to the mayor of Alameda, California, without the assistance of a long-distance operator. The demonstration marked the beginning of customer-dialed long-distance service in the United States.
1954 – President Dwight D. Eisenhower dedicated the Marine Corps War Memorial near Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The monument, inspired by the famous photograph of Marines raising the American flag on Iwo Jima, honors Marines who died in service to their country.
1957 – A crowd of 102,368 attended the Los Angeles Rams–San Francisco 49ers game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, setting a record at the time for attendance at an NFL regular-season game.
1958 – New York jeweler Harry Winston donated the famous Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution, sending the priceless gemstone to Washington, DC, by registered U.S. mail. The diamond traveled in a package with postage costing just a few dollars, plus insurance fees.
1969 – Sesame Street premiered on National Educational Television, introducing children to Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Bert, Ernie, and a revolutionary approach to educational television. The program later became a cornerstone of PBS programming.
1975 – The SS Edmund Fitzgerald, a 729-foot Great Lakes freighter, sank during a violent storm on Lake Superior, taking all 29 crew members with it. The ship disappeared without a distress call, and its sinking became one of the most haunting maritime tragedies in Great Lakes history. The wreck later inspired Gordon Lightfoot’s famous song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”
1982 – The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, opened to visitors as preparations continued for its formal dedication on November 13. Designed by Maya Lin, the memorial honors Americans who served and died during the Vietnam War.
1983 – Microsoft announced Windows, a graphical operating environment designed to make personal computers easier to use. The first commercial version, Windows 1.0, wasn’t released until November 1985.
1984 – The U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp honoring the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.
1988 – The U.S. Department of Energy selected a site near Waxahachie, Texas, for the proposed Superconducting Super Collider, an enormous particle accelerator. Congress canceled the project in 1993 after billions of dollars had been spent.
1989 – Berliners began chipping away at the Berlin Wall and celebrating the opening of border crossings following East Germany’s announcement the previous evening. The wall’s formal dismantling took place later.
1993 – The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, legislation establishing federal background-check requirements and an interim waiting period for certain handgun purchases. President Bill Clinton signed the measure later that month.
1995 – Jim Carrey returned as the eccentric pet detective in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, which opened in U.S. theaters.
1996 – Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino became the first player in NFL history to surpass 50,000 career passing yards, adding another milestone to his record-setting career.
1997 – Telecommunications companies WorldCom and MCI announced a merger valued at approximately $37 billion, one of the largest corporate deals in American history at the time.
2006 – The National Museum of the Marine Corps opened in Triangle, Virginia, near Marine Corps Base Quantico. President George W. Bush attended the dedication, which coincided with the Marine Corps’ 231st birthday.
2008 – NASA announced that its Phoenix Mars lander mission had ended after the spacecraft stopped communicating as the Martian winter approached. During its months on Mars, Phoenix confirmed the presence of water ice beneath the planet’s surface.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON NOVEMBER 10:
Albert Hall – 89 years old (1937) – Actor
Robert F. Engle – 84 years old (1942) – Economist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate
Saxby Chambliss – 83 years old (1943) – Lawyer and politician
Mark E. Neely – 82 years old (1944) – Jr. , American historian, author, and academic
Silvestre Reyes – 82 years old (1944) – Sergeant and politician
Donna Fargo – 81 years old (1945) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Jack Scalia – 76 years old (1950) – Actor
Les Miles – 73 years old (1953) – Football player and coach
Bob Stanley – 72 years old (1954) – Baseball player and coach
Jack Clark – 71 years old (1955) – Baseball player, coach, and manager
Sinbad – 70 years old (1956) – Comedian and actor
Stephen Herek – 68 years old (1958) – Director and producer
Omar Minaya – 68 years old (1958) – Baseball player and manager
Brooks Williams – 68 years old (1958) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Mackenzie Phillips – 67 years old (1959) – Actress
Dan Hawkins – 66 years old (1960) – Football player, coach, and sportscaster
Daniel Waters – 64 years old (1962) – Director and screenwriter
Tommy Davidson – 63 years old (1963) – Actor and comedian
Mike McCarthy – 63 years old (1963) – Football player and coach
Mike Powell – 63 years old (1963) – Long jumper
Kenny Rogers – 62 years old (1964) – Baseball player and coach
Jamie Dixon – 61 years old (1965) – Basketball player and coach
Tracy Morgan – 58 years old (1968) – Comedian and actor
Tom Papa – 58 years old (1968) – Comedian, actor, television host
Ellen Pompeo – 57 years old (1969) – Actress
Warren G – 56 years old (1970) – Rapper and producer
U-God – 56 years old (1970) – Rapper
Walton Goggins – 55 years old (1971) – Actor and producer
Shawn Green – 54 years old (1972) – Baseball player
Jim Adkins – 51 years old (1975) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Josh Barnett – 49 years old (1977) – Mixed martial artist and wrestler
Diplo – 48 years old (1978) – DJ, songwriter, and producer
Eve – 48 years old (1978) – Rapper and producer
Troy Bell – 46 years old (1980) – Basketball player
Ryback – 45 years old (1981) – Wrestler
Heather Matarazzo – 44 years old (1982) – Actress
Miranda Lambert – 43 years old (1983) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Kendrick Perkins – 42 years old (1984) – Basketball player
Aaron Crow – 40 years old (1986) – Baseball player
Josh Peck – 40 years old (1986) – Actor
Eric Thames – 40 years old (1986) – Baseball player
D. J. Augustin – 39 years old (1987) – Basketball player
Charles Hamilton – 39 years old (1987) – Rapper
Jacob Pullen – 37 years old (1989) – Basketball player
Marcus Browne – 36 years old (1990) – Boxer
Zach Ertz – 36 years old (1990) – Football player
Tony Snell – 35 years old (1991) – Basketball player
Teddy Bridgewater – 34 years old (1992) – Football player
Zoey Deutch – 32 years old (1994) – Actress
Drew Lock – 30 years old (1996) – Football player
Armand Duplantis – 27 years old (1999) – Swedish-American pole vaulter
Michael Cimino – 27 years old (1999) – Actor
Kiernan Shipka – 27 years old (1999) – Actress
Mackenzie Foy – 26 years old (2000) – Actress and model
Scotty Pippen Jr. – 26 years old (2000) – Basketball player
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR NOVEMBER 10:
- US Marine Corps Birthday: A legendary brotherhood that upholds honor, courage, and commitment. With unmatched strength and resilience, they protect and serve, embodying true heroes in action!
- Sesame Street Day: Introduce your kids to a beloved educational program on Sesame Street Day, binge your favorite episodes and purchase some Elmo or Cookie Monster merch.
- International Accounting Day: Consider joining the fulfilling profession of accountants, network with others, or dig into options for earning an accounting degree for yourself.
- National Vanilla Cupcake Day: Soft and fluffy, with a creamy topping - this heavenly treat is perfect for a special occasion or to satisfy your sweet tooth.
- USMC Day: USMC Day is a vibrant celebration honoring the United States Marine Corps' commitment and sacrifices. It's a day when people across the nation acknowledge the bravery and dedication of Marines. From thrilling parades to solemn ceremonies, the day bursts with patriotic pride and respect for those who serve in this...
- World Science Day for Peace and Development: Every November 10th, World Science Day for Peace and Development lights up our calendars. It's a day to appreciate science's crucial role in our lives and its power to foster peace and development globally. This celebration encourages everyone to engage with scientific topics and emphasizes how science impacts our daily...
- Rad Tech Week: Rad Tech Week is a lively celebration of radiologic technologists and their essential work in the medical field. This special week shines a spotlight on the professionals who use cutting-edge imaging technology to diagnose and treat countless conditions. From X-rays to MRIs, these skilled technologists help doctors understand what’s happening...
- World NET Cancer Day: World NET Cancer Day puts a face to a cancer many still haven’t heard of. It’s about real people who spent years feeling unwell, only to find out later that something more serious was going on. Neuroendocrine tumors don’t always shout—they whisper. They hide behind symptoms that seem harmless, like stomach...
- World Top Up Day: Supporting family back home can be tough, taking resilience, hard work, and love to bridge the distance and provide for those who matter most.
- National Book Award Week: National Book Award Week, celebrated from November 7 to 13, shines a spotlight on the power of storytelling and the diversity of voices in American literature. This special week marks a time to honor and discover the incredible works of authors that shape our understanding and enjoyment of books. From...
- National Forget-Me-Not Day: Tiny blue blooms that silently honor those who served, a symbol of remembrance for the brave souls who defended our freedom.
- Dear Santa Letter Week: Have you ever wondered what it feels like to send a wish directly to Santa Claus? Every year, during Dear Santa Letter Week, children and adults alike take pen to paper to craft personal messages to the jolly old elf. Celebrated during November, this week captures the essence of childhood...
- Nurse Practitioner Week: Nurse Practitioner Week is a lively celebration of the essential work nurse practitioners (NPs) do. This special week highlights their contributions to healthcare, emphasizing their role in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. The week draws attention to the unique combination of clinical expertise and compassionate care that NPs provide. It's a...
- National Recycling Week: National Recycling Week is an exciting time to highlight the significance of recycling. This week aims to educate and inspire individuals, communities, and organizations to improve their recycling habits. Celebrating National Recycling Week helps spread awareness about the importance of recycling. It emphasizes reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling properly. These...
- World Keratoconus Day: World Keratoconus Day starts with something as small as a blurry street sign or a glare that won’t go away. These early signs often point to keratoconus, a condition where the cornea—the eye’s clear front layer—gets thinner and bulges forward. As it changes shape, vision becomes distorted and everyday things, like...
- World Immunization Day: World Immunization Day marks the power of prevention in one quick moment—a vaccine that stops illness before it starts. Every year, this day draws attention to how vaccines quietly protect people from diseases that once spread without warning. A single shot can block viruses from moving through homes, schools, and neighborhoods...
- National Civic Pride Day: National Civic Pride Day is all about feeling good about the place you call home. It’s that little spark you get when you see your town looking its best or when neighbors lend a hand without being asked. This day brings people together—not with big speeches, but with small actions...
- National Survivors’ Day: Recognizing survivors of abuse, allies, and those who speak out against injustice, fostering healing and empowerment.
- Area Code Day: Extra digits that secretly define where we're from, each area code carrying the stories of countless conversations, connections, and communities.
- Web Summit Lisbon: Web Summit Lisbon stands as one of the world's largest technology conferences. It brings together over 70,000 attendees from various sectors, including tech startups, investors, and global leaders. The four-day event, which takes place in the lively city of Lisbon, offers a platform for networking, learning, and innovation. Participants get...
- National Tradition Day in Argentina: National Tradition Day spotlights the rich cultural practices that connect us to our heritage. It's a day when people across the nation take pride in the customs, music, and art that make their culture unique. The celebration invites everyone to reflect on the values and stories passed down through generations...
- National Split Pea Soup Week: Savoring a comforting blend of legumes, slow-cooked to perfection, offering warmth and nourishment during the cold season.
- Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week: From our furry companions to majestic wildlife, our connection with the animal kingdom is a bond that goes beyond words.
- Sugar Awareness Week: Have you ever checked the ingredients on your favorite snack? Sugar shows up in places you wouldn't expect—like pasta sauce, bread, and yogurt. Sugar Awareness Week brings attention to this sneaky habit in the food world. It challenges everyone to take a closer look at what they eat and drink each...
- National Young Readers Week: Fostering young minds' love for stories and expanding horizons through the magic of books; opening doors to imagination.
- Children’s Book Week : Spark the joy of exploration in young minds through tales that open doors to realms of endless fascination and growth.
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