May 10

On May 10, 1849, tensions between American actor Edwin Forrest and British star William Charles Macready culminated in violent clashes at New York City's Astor Opera House. Supporters of each thespian gathered in the streets, hurling stones and missiles at police attempting to maintain order. The melee escalated into a full-scale riot, with armed officers opening fire on the crowd. At least 22 people were killed and over 120 injured in the bloodiest civil disturbance New York had seen up to that point. The incident highlighted deep cultural and class divisions within American society, as well as nativist sentiments against foreign performers. In its aftermath, Mayor Fernando Wood reinforced public safety measures and the event went down in history as a cautionary episode of mob violence. The Astor Place Riot underscored the volatile intersection of art, nationalism, and public order.

On May 10, 1908, the first official observance of Mother's Day took place at a Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia. Spearheaded by Anna Jarvis, the event aimed to honor her late mother and recognize the sacrifices of mothers worldwide. The program included floral tributes, special services, and readings that celebrated maternal love and compassion. Jarvis lobbied extensively for the holiday to gain national recognition, emphasizing personal letters and meetings with political leaders. Two years later, in 1910, other states began adopting Mother's Day observances, driven by Jarvis's tireless promotion and the popularity of the initial ceremony. The U.S. Congress eventually approved a national Mother's Day in 1914, signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson. While Jarvis later criticized the commercialization of the holiday, her efforts laid the groundwork for one of the most enduring celebrations on the American calendar.

On May 10, 1933, university students and Nazi Party members gathered in cities across Germany to burn tens of thousands of books by Jewish, liberal, and other banned authors. Orchestrated by propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels, the book burnings symbolized the regime’s suppression of dissenting ideas and cultural intimidation. Titles by writers such as Heinrich Heine, Sigmund Freud, and Ernest Hemingway went up in flames. The rallies were presented as patriotic events, drawing large crowds and marking an ominous prelude to broader human rights violations under Nazi rule.