May 10

Events - Politics & Government

1291day.year

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.
Following the death of Margaret, Maid of Norway, in 1290, Scotland faced uncertainty over its next monarch. In May 1291, leading Scottish nobles agreed to recognize Edward I of England as their feudal overlord until a new king was chosen. This provisional submission was part of the 'Great Cause', during which Edward arbitrated competing claims to the Scottish throne. Though intended as a temporary measure, Edward's intervention laid the groundwork for English influence over Scotland. Many Scots later viewed this act as a catalyst for the Wars of Scottish Independence. The agreement highlights the complex feudal relationships of medieval Britain and the fragile nature of sovereign power. It remains a significant episode in the history of Anglo-Scottish relations.
1291 nobles Edward I of England
1294day.year

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.
After the death of Kublai Khan in early 1294, his grandson Temür Khagan ascended the throne as the second Yuan emperor. His enthronement marked a smooth dynastic transition, preserving Mongol rule over China. Temür adopted the regnal name Chengzong and maintained the administrative policies established by his grandfather. He faced challenges balancing Mongol traditions with the existing Chinese bureaucratic system. During his reign, trade along the Silk Road continued to flourish under Pax Mongolica. Temür also promoted Buddhism and Confucian rituals at court. His relatively peaceful rule helped stabilize the vast empire before internal conflicts emerged later in the dynasty.
1294 Temür Khagan Mongols Yuan dynasty
1688day.year

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.
Amid escalating court intrigues and foreign influence in the Ayutthaya Kingdom, King Narai named his trusted general Phetracha as regent on May 10, 1688. This appointment heightened tensions between pro-French factions and traditionalist nobles. Within weeks, Phetracha orchestrated a coup, seizing the royal palace and declaring himself monarch. Key officials loyal to King Narai were imprisoned or executed, effectively ending French supremacy at the Siamese court. Phetracha then pursued policies of isolationism and strengthened Buddhist institutions. The revolution marked a turning point in Siam's relations with European powers. It signaled the end of a flourishing period under King Narai and the start of a new dynastic era.
1688 Narai Phetracha revolution of 1688 Ayutthaya Kingdom
1768day.year

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.
John Wilkes, a Member of Parliament and editor of The North Briton, published a sharply worded critique of King George III in issue number 45. His arrest for seditious libel ignited public outrage across London. On May 10, 1768, mobs attacked prisons where Wilkes was held, as well as properties of government officials. The unrest highlighted tensions over press freedom, parliamentary privilege, and the limits of royal authority. Wilkes's supporters lauded him as a champion of civil liberties. Authorities ultimately released him, but the riots sparked a broader debate on government censorship. The events of 1768 stand as a landmark in the evolution of free expression in Britain.
1768 John Wilkes The North Briton King George III
1773day.year

The Parliament of Great Britain passes the Tea Act, designed to save the British East India Company by reducing taxes on its tea and granting it the right to sell tea directly to North America. The legislation leads to the Boston Tea Party.

On May 10, 1773, the British Parliament enacted the Tea Act, granting the East India Company a tea monopoly in North America.
The Tea Act of May 10, 1773, was designed to rescue the faltering British East India Company by allowing it to ship tea directly to the American colonies at reduced duties. The legislation undercut colonial merchants and reinforced the principle of taxation by Parliament. American colonists viewed the law as another example of 'taxation without representation' and rallied in opposition. In December 1773, protestors in Boston famously boarded Royal Navy ships and dumped hundreds of chests of tea into the harbor. This act of defiance, known as the Boston Tea Party, fueled the growing movement for American independence. The Tea Act deepened the rift between Britain and its North American colonies. Historians regard it as a critical turning point on the road to revolution.
1773 Parliament of Great Britain Tea Act British East India Company tea Boston Tea Party
1774day.year

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette become King and Queen of France.

In 1774, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette ascended the French throne, shaping the monarchy's destiny on the eve of revolution.
On May 10, 1774, following the death of King Louis XV, his grandson Louis XVI was proclaimed King of France. His wife, Marie Antoinette, also assumed the title of Queen. The young couple inherited a kingdom burdened by financial crisis and social unrest. Their reign witnessed attempts at reform but also growing public discontent. Known for their lavish lifestyle, they became symbols of monarchical excess. Less than two decades later, revolutionary fervor would engulf France, ultimately ending their rule. Their story remains a poignant prelude to the French Revolution.
1774 Louis XVI Marie Antoinette
1775day.year

American Revolutionary War: The Second Continental Congress takes place in Philadelphia.

On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia to coordinate colonial resistance against Britain.
As tensions with Britain escalated, delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies assembled at the Pennsylvania State House. The Second Continental Congress represented a united front to address grievances following the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Over the coming months, it would assume de facto governance of the colonies, issuing currency, forming the Continental Army, and appointing George Washington as commander. This gathering laid the groundwork for declaring independence the following year. It navigated complex political divisions while balancing calls for reconciliation and armed resistance. The Congress's actions transformed colonial protest into an organized revolutionary government. Its proceedings on May 10, 1775, marked a pivotal step toward American nationhood.
Second Continental Congress Philadelphia
1872day.year

Victoria Woodhull becomes the first woman nominated for President of the United States.

Victoria Woodhull becomes the first woman nominated for President of the United States in 1872.
On May 10, 1872, Victoria Woodhull made history by becoming the first woman nominated for President of the United States, representing the Equal Rights Party. A charismatic lecturer and early feminist, she championed universal suffrage, labor reform, and free love in a rigidly patriarchal society. Woodhull had already broken barriers as the first woman to operate a brokerage firm on Wall Street and to publish her own newspaper. Her presidential campaign challenged prevailing gender norms and drew both fervent support and fierce criticism from the press and political establishment. Though she was ultimately ineligible to vote herself and faced legal battles, her candidacy sparked national conversations about women's rights and political participation. Woodhull's bold campaign laid the groundwork for future female candidates and remains a landmark moment in the struggle for gender equality.
1872 Victoria Woodhull President of the United States
1881day.year

Carol I is crowned the King of the Romanian Kingdom.

Carol I is crowned the first King of the Romanian Kingdom, establishing a modern monarchy in Romania.
On May 10, 1881, Prince Carol I of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was formally crowned as King Carol I of the newly proclaimed Romanian Kingdom. His ascension marked Romania's elevation from a principality to a kingdom, solidifying its independence from Ottoman suzerainty. Carol I had already led Romanian forces to victory in the 1877–1878 War of Independence, which secured international recognition for Romania. His reign ushered in a period of significant modernization, including the development of Romania's infrastructure, legal system, and educational institutions. The crowning ceremony in Bucharest was attended by European royals, dignitaries, and a jubilant public. Under Carol I's guidance, Romania balanced relations with the great powers while fostering national identity and cultural growth. His legacy endured until the monarchy's end in 1947, leaving a foundation for Romania's statehood.
1881 Carol I King Romanian Kingdom
1922day.year

The United States annexes the Kingman Reef.

The United States formally annexes Kingman Reef, expanding its territorial holdings in the Pacific Ocean.
On May 10, 1922, the United States officially annexed Kingman Reef, an uninhabited atoll located about 700 nautical miles south of Hawaii. The annexation was part of a broader U.S. strategy to secure strategic outposts and safeguard maritime routes in the Pacific. Kingman Reef's remote location and harsh environment made permanent settlement impractical, but its legal status provided valuable fishing rights and navigational markers. The atoll later served as a base for scientific research and wildlife preservation efforts, recognized for its unique marine ecosystem. Under U.S. jurisdiction, Kingman Reef became part of the Territory of Hawaii and is now managed as a National Wildlife Refuge. The 1922 annexation reflects the era's emphasis on American expansionism and control of Pacific resources. Today, Kingman Reef's protected status helps conserve coral habitats and seabird populations.
1922 Kingman Reef
1924day.year

J. Edgar Hoover is appointed first Director of the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and remains so until his death in 1972.

J. Edgar Hoover becomes the inaugural Director of the FBI, shaping the agency for nearly five decades.
On May 10, 1924, President Calvin Coolidge appointed J. Edgar Hoover as the first Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Hoover transformed the nascent Bureau into a powerful federal agency through standardized crime labs, rigorous record-keeping, and nationwide investigative teams. Under his leadership, the FBI gained a reputation for professionalism and modern investigative techniques. Hoover would remain at the helm until his death in 1972, overseeing Prohibition-era gang crackdowns, anti-communist investigations, and controversial surveillance programs. His tenure left a complex legacy of innovation in law enforcement and debates over civil liberties.
1924 J. Edgar Hoover Federal Bureau of Investigation 1972
1940day.year

World War II: Winston Churchill is appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom following the resignation of Neville Chamberlain. On the same day, Germany invades France, The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom occupies Iceland.

Winston Churchill becomes UK Prime Minister as Germany invades Western Europe and Britain seizes Iceland.
On May 10, 1940, Winston Churchill replaced Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister, bringing a defiant spirit to Britain at a critical juncture in World War II. That same day, Germany launched its blitzkrieg into France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg in Operation Fall Gelb. To secure Atlantic routes, Britain occupied Iceland to prevent German control. Churchill’s appointment marked the start of his resolute wartime leadership, symbolized by his famous pledge to fight on beaches and never surrender, setting the tone for Britain's resistance against the Axis advance.
Winston Churchill Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Neville Chamberlain occupies Iceland