1628day.year
The Swedish warship Vasa sinks on her maiden voyage off Stockholm.
In 1628, the Swedish warship Vasa tragically sank on her maiden voyage from Stockholm due to instability in her design.
Built for King Gustavus Adolphus, the Vasa was one of the most heavily armed warships of the era.
On August 10, 1628, she sailed from Stockholm harbor but capsized and sank after traveling just over a kilometer.
Design flaws and inadequate ballast caused the ship to list dangerously.
The wreck lay submerged for over 300 years before being salvaged in 1961 nearly intact.
Today, the Vasa Museum in Stockholm displays this remarkable vessel and its richly decorated hull.
1628
Vasa
Stockholm
1856day.year
The Last Island hurricane strikes Louisiana, resulting in over 200 deaths.
The Last Island hurricane struck Louisiana on August 10, 1856, destroying the resort and killing over 200 people.
On this day, a powerful hurricane made landfall on Last Island (Isle Dernière) in Louisiana with devastating force.
High winds and a massive storm surge obliterated cottages, sweeping debris and boats inland.
More than 200 resort guests and local residents perished in the sudden catastrophe.
Survivors described entire buildings disintegrating around them as the sea claimed the island.
The disaster spurred early discussions on storm warnings and coastal safety in the Gulf region.
1856
Last Island hurricane
Louisiana
1966day.year
The Heron Road Bridge collapses while being built, killing nine workers in the deadliest construction accident in both Ottawa and Ontario.
Nine workers are killed when the under-construction Heron Road Bridge in Ottawa collapses, marking Ontario's deadliest construction accident.
On August 10, 1966, a section of the Heron Road Bridge collapsed during construction over the Rideau River in Ottawa, Ontario. The accident occurred when temporary supports gave way, sending concrete spans crashing down onto workers below. Nine construction laborers lost their lives, making it the deadliest construction disaster in both the city and province's history. Rescue teams faced challenging conditions amid debris and unstable structures. The incident prompted a rigorous investigation into engineering and safety practices. It led to significant reforms in construction regulations and oversight, improving standards for bridge-building projects across Canada.
1966
Heron Road Bridge
Ottawa
Ontario
1978day.year
Three members of the Ulrich family are killed in an accident. This leads to the Ford Pinto litigation.
A tragic accident kills three members of the Ulrich family in a Ford Pinto, triggering one of the most infamous product liability lawsuits in U.S. history.
On August 10, 1978, a Ford Pinto driven by the Ulrich family suffered a rear-end collision that led to a fuel tank rupture and fatal fire. The accident claimed the lives of three family members and exposed critical design flaws in the Pinto. Victims argued that Ford had neglected safety concerns in pursuit of cost savings. The resulting litigation became a landmark case in product liability law. It highlighted the importance of corporate responsibility and consumer protection. Public outrage mounted as details of internal Ford documents emerged. The case influenced changes in automotive safety standards and regulatory oversight. Today, the Ford Pinto litigation remains a cautionary tale in engineering ethics and legal accountability.
1978
Ford Pinto
litigation
1993day.year
Two earthquakes affect New Zealand. A 7.0 Mw shock (intensity VI (Strong)) in the South Island was followed nine hours later by a 6.4 Mw event (intensity VII (Very strong)) in the North Island.
Two strong earthquakes rattle New Zealand within hours, one striking the South Island and another shaking the North Island.
In the early hours of August 10, 1993, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near the South Island’s West Coast, registering intensity VI on the Mercalli scale. Nine hours later, a magnitude 6.4 tremor hit the North Island, reaching intensity VII and causing significant shaking. Both events were felt widely, triggering landslides, power outages, and structural damage in rural and urban areas. Authorities coordinated emergency responses to clear debris and restore essential services. Geologists attributed the quakes to strain accumulation along the Pacific-Australian plate boundary. Residents reported aftershocks for days, heightening anxiety in affected communities. The twin disasters prompted a review of building codes and disaster preparedness measures nationwide. New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to seismic research and public education stems in part from the lessons learned in 1993.
1993
earthquakes affect New Zealand
South Island
1997day.year
Sixteen people are killed when Formosa Airlines Flight 7601 crashes near Beigan Airport in the Matsu Islands of Taiwan.
A Formosa Airlines flight crashes near Beigan Airport, claiming sixteen lives and raising concerns over aviation safety in Taiwan.
On August 10, 1997, Formosa Airlines Flight 7601 departed from Hualien en route to Beigan Airport in the Matsu Islands. Shortly before landing, the aircraft encountered poor visibility and adverse weather conditions. The plane tragically lost control and crashed, killing sixteen passengers and crew members on board. A thorough investigation pointed to pilot disorientation and inadequate navigational support at the remote airport. The accident prompted Taiwanese regulators to upgrade landing aids and weather monitoring systems across small airfields. Families of the victims called for stricter safety standards and improved pilot training programs. The disaster underscored the challenges of operating flights in mountainous island terrains. Lessons learned from the crash led to critical reforms in regional aviation protocols.
1997
Formosa Airlines Flight 7601
Beigan Airport
Matsu Islands
Taiwan
2009day.year
Twenty people are killed in Handlová, Trenčín Region, in the deadliest mining disaster in Slovakia's history.
A methane explosion tore through the Handlová coal mine in Slovakia, killing 20 workers in the country's worst mining disaster.
On August 10, 2009, a methane explosion ripped through the coal mine in Handlová, Trenčín Region, Slovakia. The blast claimed the lives of 20 miners, making it the worst mining accident in Slovak history. Rescue teams worked through hazardous conditions to recover survivors and victims from deep underground. Investigations pointed to ventilation failures and gas buildup as contributing factors. The tragedy prompted a nationwide review of mining safety standards and led to stricter regulations aimed at preventing similar accidents.
2009
Handlová
Trenčín Region
mining disaster
Slovakia
2014day.year
Forty people are killed when Sepahan Airlines Flight 5915 crashes at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport.
Sepahan Airlines Flight 5915 crashed during takeoff at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport, killing 40 people.
On August 10, 2014, Sepahan Airlines Flight 5915 veered off the runway while attempting to take off from Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran. The twin-engine turboprop aircraft broke apart and burst into flames, leading to the deaths of 40 passengers and crew. Only a handful of travelers survived the impact but sustained serious injuries. Investigators cited possible mechanical failure and pilot misjudgment as contributing factors, prompting an overhaul of safety checks for regional flights. The crash underscored ongoing concerns about aviation safety in Iran's domestic airline network.
2014
Sepahan Airlines Flight 5915
Mehrabad International Airport
2018day.year
Horizon Air employee Richard Russell hijacks and performs an unauthorized takeoff on a Horizon Air Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 plane at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport in Washington, flying it for more than an hour before crashing the plane and killing himself on Ketron Island in Puget Sound.
A Horizon Air ground service agent hijacked a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 and crashed into Puget Sound, ending in his death.
On August 10, 2018, Richard Russell, an airline employee with no pilot training, stole a Horizon Air Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. He performed an unauthorized takeoff and flew the plane erratically for more than an hour over Puget Sound. Air traffic controllers and F-15 jets attempted to communicate and coax him out of the cockpit but were unsuccessful. The plane eventually crashed on Ketron Island, killing Russell but sparing lives on the ground. The unprecedented incident raised questions about airport security protocols and the psychological well-being of employees with airfield access.
2018
Horizon Air
hijacks and performs an unauthorized takeoff
Horizon Air
Bombardier Dash 8 Q400
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport
Ketron Island
Puget Sound
2019day.year
Thirty-two are killed and one million are evacuated as Typhoon Lekima makes landfall in Zhejiang, China. Earlier it had caused flooding in the Philippines.
Typhoon Lekima made landfall in Zhejiang Province, China, killing 32 people and forcing over a million to evacuate.
On August 10, 2019, Typhoon Lekima struck Zhejiang Province in eastern China as a powerful Category 4 storm. The cyclone unleashed torrential rains and winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour, causing widespread flooding and infrastructure damage. At least 32 people lost their lives, and authorities evacuated over one million residents to safer areas. Prior to landfall in China, Lekima had already caused significant flooding and casualties in the Philippines. The disaster highlighted the growing need for improved early warning systems and resilient infrastructure in typhoon-prone regions.
2019
Typhoon Lekima
Zhejiang
Philippines
2020day.year
Derecho in Iowa becomes the most costly thunderstorm disaster in U.S. history.
A powerful derecho swept across Iowa, becoming the most expensive thunderstorm disaster in U.S. history.
On August 10, 2020, a massive derecho—a fast-moving line of severe storms—tore across the state of Iowa. Straight-line winds reaching up to 140 kilometers per hour damaged crops, homes, and infrastructure over hundreds of miles. The storm caused power outages for over a million residents and disrupted critical food processing facilities. Damage estimates soared past $11 billion, surpassing all other severe convective wind events in U.S. history. The derecho underscored vulnerabilities in power grid resilience and the increasing risk of extreme weather events linked to climate change.
2020
Derecho
Iowa