August 10

Jaume Ferrer's expedition aimed to establish a maritime route from the Mediterranean to West Africa's gold-rich regions. Sailing from Mallorca in a single small ship, he ventured beyond the familiar waters of the Atlantic coast. Although the outcome of his journey is unknown, his attempt prefigured later Portuguese exploration along Africa's shores. Ferrer's voyage reflects early European commercial ambition and curiosity about sub-Saharan Africa. It stands as a precursor to the major Age of Discovery expeditions of the 15th and 16th centuries.

On the night of August 10, 1969, two members of Charles Manson's cult entered the home of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca in the Los Angeles area and brutally murdered the couple. The killings followed the shocking murder of actress Sharon Tate and four others by Manson's followers the previous night. Manson directed his followers to leave messages scrawled in blood, aiming to incite fear and social unrest. The LaBianca murders intensified the national outcry over violence and the dark side of the 1960s counterculture. The crime scenes drew massive media attention and led to one of the most infamous FBI investigations of the era. Subsequent trials would cement Charles Manson and his followers in American criminal history.

On August 10, 1977, law enforcement arrested 24-year-old postal worker David Berkowitz in Yonkers, New York, ending a year-long hunt for the 'Son of Sam' serial killer. Berkowitz had terrorized New York City and surrounding suburbs with a string of sniper-style shootings targeting young women and couples. His crimes generated widespread fear, inspired panic, and sparked massive police investigations. Upon arrest, Berkowitz claimed he was following orders from a demon-possessed dog belonging to his neighbor, fueling sensational media coverage. He later pleaded guilty to six murders and received multiple life sentences. The case remains a chilling example of serial crime in modern American history.

On August 10, 2019, Philip Manshaus carried out a racist shooting at a mosque in Bærum, Norway, targeting worshippers during evening prayers. Earlier that day, he tragically murdered his stepsister in an apparent attempt to remove personal ties before committing the attack. The gunman was quickly overpowered by congregants and arrested at the scene, preventing further casualties. Manshaus was motivated by far-right extremist beliefs, and his actions shocked the peaceful Norwegian community. The incident prompted national reflection on rising hate crimes and led to calls for stronger measures against online radicalization.