May 10
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Children's Day(Maldives)
Children's Day in the Maldives celebrates the rights, wellbeing, and happiness of children across the island nation.
Christianfeast day:
Alphius, Philadelphus and Cyrinus, Calepodius, Catald, Comgall, Damien of Molokai, Gordianus and Epimachus, Job(Roman Catholic Church, pre-1969 calendar), John of Ávila, May 10 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A collection of feast days honoring various Christian saints, such as Alphius, Philadelphus, Cyrinus, and others, observed in different traditions on May 10.
Confederate Memorial Day(North CarolinaandSouth Carolina)
Confederate Memorial Day is observed in North Carolina and South Carolina to honor the Confederate soldiers who died during the American Civil War.
Constitution Day(Micronesia)
Constitution Day in the Federated States of Micronesia commemorates the adoption of its constitution on May 10, 1979.
Earliest possible day on whichPentecostcan fall, while June 13 is the latest;celebrated 50 days afterEaster Day. (Christianity)
Pentecost is a major Christian feast celebrated fifty days after Easter, marking the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, which can fall as early as May 10.
Golden Spike Day(Promontory, Utah)
Golden Spike Day commemorates the driving of the final 'golden spike' at Promontory Summit, Utah on May 10, 1869, marking the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States.
Mother's Day(Guatemala,andMexico)
Mother's Day in Guatemala and Mexico is celebrated annually on May 10, with families honoring mothers through gifts, flowers, and special gatherings.
Alphius, Philadelphus and Cyrinus
The feast day of Saints Alphius, Philadelphus, and Cyrinus honors these early Christian martyrs who stood firm in their faith.
Calepodius
The feast day of Saint Calepodius honors the early Christian martyr celebrated for his dedication to the faith.
Events
A sunspot is observed by Han dynasty astronomers during the reign of Emperor Cheng of Han, one of the earliest dated sunspot observations in China.
In 28 BC, Han dynasty astronomers made one of the earliest recorded observations of a sunspot during Emperor Cheng's reign.
Scottish nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England pending the selection of a king.
In 1291, Scottish nobles acknowledged Edward I of England as their feudal overlord while awaiting a new king.
Temür, Khagan of the Mongols, is enthroned as Emperor of the Yuan dynasty.
In 1294, Temür Khagan was enthroned as Emperor of the Yuan dynasty, succeeding his grandfather Kublai Khan.
Amerigo Vespucci allegedly leaves Cádiz for his first voyage to the New World.
In 1497, Amerigo Vespucci is said to have embarked from Cádiz on his first expedition to the New World.
Christopher Columbus visits the Cayman Islands and names them Las Tortugas after the numerous turtles there.
On his fourth voyage in 1503, Christopher Columbus encountered the Cayman Islands and named them Las Tortugas for their abundant turtles.
Jacques Cartier visits Newfoundland.
In 1534, French explorer Jacques Cartier made his first landing on the shores of Newfoundland.
King Narai nominates Phetracha as regent, leading to the revolution of 1688 in which Phetracha becomes king of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
In 1688, Siamese King Narai appointed Phetracha as regent, triggering a palace coup that installed Phetracha as king.
Great Northern War: The Russian Navy led by Admiral Fyodor Apraksin land both at Katajanokka and Hietalahti during the Battle of Helsinki.
During the Great Northern War in 1713, Russian forces landed at Katajanokka and Hietalahti, initiating the Battle of Helsinki.
Rioting occurs in London after John Wilkes is imprisoned for writing an article for The North Briton severely criticizing King George III.
In 1768, violent riots broke out in London after journalist John Wilkes was imprisoned for criticizing King George III.
Births
Meng Zhixiang
Chinese military leader who founded the Later Shu kingdom during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
Al-Aziz Billah
The fifth Fatimid caliph who ruled over a golden age of prosperity and cultural flourishing in North Africa and the Levant.
Suzanne
French duchess who inherited and ruled the Bourbon estates in the early 16th century.
Jean Mairet
French playwright known for pioneering the introduction of neoclassical drama to the French stage.
Jean-Marie Leclair
French violinist and composer regarded as the founder of the French school of violin playing.
Anne-Robert-Jacques Turgot
French economist and statesman known for his pioneering ideas in political economy and brief tenure as Controller-General of Finances.
Robert Gray
American sea captain and explorer credited with the discovery of the Columbia River and the first American circumnavigation.
Johann Peter Hebel
German writer and poet celebrated for his dialect tales and contributions to German literature.
Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle
French army engineer and composer best known for writing 'La Marseillaise,' France's national anthem.
Deaths
Theingapati
Heir to the Pagan Kingdom of Burma who lived in the late 13th century.
Katherine Swynford
English noblewoman best known as mistress and later wife of John of Gaunt.
Paolo dal Pozzo Toscanelli
Italian Renaissance mathematician and astronomer whose ideas influenced the Age of Discovery.
Colin Campbell
Scottish nobleman and statesman who served as 1st Earl of Argyll and Lord Chancellor of Scotland.
Sebastian Brant
German humanist writer famous for his satirical allegory “Ship of Fools.”
Leonhart Fuchs
German Renaissance physician and botanist known for his influential herbal.
John of Ávila
Spanish priest, mystic, and influential Catholic reformer.
Johan Banér
Prominent Swedish field marshal renowned for victories in the Thirty Years’ War.
John Hathorne
American colonial judge and politician known for his role in the Salem witch trials.