August 10

Events - Politics & Government

654day.year

Pope Eugene I elected to succeed Martinus I.

In 654, Pope Eugene I was elected to lead the Catholic Church, succeeding Pope Martinus I.
The election took place during a period of political tension between the papacy and the Byzantine Empire. Eugene I had previously served as a deacon in Rome before being chosen by the local clergy and nobility. His papacy strengthened the position of the Roman pontiff amid contested influence from Constantinople. During his brief reign, Eugene worked to address doctrinal disputes and maintain the balance with imperial authorities. His selection marked a significant moment in the development of medieval church-state relations.
654 Pope Eugene I
1270day.year

Yekuno Amlak takes the imperial throne of Ethiopia, restoring the Solomonic dynasty to power after a 100-year Zagwe interregnum.

In 1270, Yekuno Amlak ascended to the Ethiopian throne, reinstating the Solomonic dynasty after a century of Zagwe rule.
Yekuno Amlak claimed descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba to legitimize his rule. After overthrowing the last Zagwe king, he established his capital at Addis Alem. His reign initiated reforms to consolidate central authority and revitalise the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The restoration of the Solomonic line endured for over seven centuries, shaping Ethiopia's imperial identity. This dynastic revival remains a foundational moment in Ethiopian history.
1270 Yekuno Amlak imperial throne Ethiopia Solomonic dynasty Zagwe interregnum
1585day.year

The Treaty of Nonsuch signed by Elizabeth I of England and the Dutch Rebels.

In 1585, Queen Elizabeth I signed the Treaty of Nonsuch with Dutch rebels, committing England to support the Netherlands against Spain.
On August 10, 1585, Queen Elizabeth I of England and representatives of the Dutch rebels signed the Treaty of Nonsuch. The agreement committed England to provide military and financial support to the Dutch provinces fighting Spanish rule. In return, England secured control of strategic ports and a subsidy of 600,000 florins from the rebels. This alliance shifted the balance of power in Europe and escalated tensions with Spain. The Treaty of Nonsuch marked a turning point in the Eighty Years' War and expanded English influence abroad.
1585 Treaty of Nonsuch Elizabeth I Dutch Rebels
1641day.year

The Treaty of London between England and Scotland, ending the Bishops' Wars, is signed.

The 1641 Treaty of London ended the Bishops' Wars, temporarily restoring peace between England and Scotland.
On August 10, 1641, envoys from King Charles I of England and the Scottish Covenanters signed the Treaty of London. The agreement concluded the First Bishops' War, triggered by disputes over episcopal governance in Scotland. It confirmed the abolition of the king's church reforms and guaranteed Scottish religious independence. Although it brought a brief tranquility, unresolved tensions soon contributed to the outbreak of the English Civil War. The treaty highlighted deep-seated religious and political divisions within the British Isles.
1641 Treaty of London Bishops' Wars
1755day.year

Under the direction of Charles Lawrence, the British begin to forcibly deport the Acadians from Nova Scotia to the Thirteen Colonies and France.

In 1755, British authorities under Charles Lawrence began the forced deportation of Acadians from Nova Scotia in the Great Expulsion.
On August 10, 1755, Governor Charles Lawrence ordered the rounding up of French-speaking Acadian settlers in Nova Scotia. Accused of disloyalty during the escalating Seven Years' War, thousands were loaded onto ships bound for the American colonies and Europe. Homes and farms were seized, and families were separated in a campaign known as the Great Expulsion (Le Grand Dérangement). Many deportees suffered from disease, starvation, and violence during their journeys. This forced migration dramatically altered Acadian society and left a lasting legacy in North American history.
1755 Charles Lawrence forcibly deport Acadians Nova Scotia Thirteen Colonies France
1792day.year

French Revolution: Storming of the Tuileries Palace: Louis XVI is arrested and taken into custody as his Swiss Guards are massacred by the Parisian mob.

During the French Revolution on August 10, 1792, insurgents stormed the Tuileries Palace, massacring Swiss Guards and arresting King Louis XVI.
Facing public outrage over perceived royal betrayals, Parisian revolutionaries attacked the Tuileries Palace. Despite fierce resistance by King Louis XVI's Swiss Guards, the insurgents overwhelmed the defenders. Over 600 guards were killed in the brutal massacre as the monarchy's power crumbled. Louis XVI and his family were arrested and led to imprisonment, signaling the end of royal authority. The uprising paved the way for the establishment of the First French Republic and the ensuing Reign of Terror.
1792 French Revolution Storming of the Tuileries Palace Louis XVI Swiss Guards
1920day.year

World War I: Ottoman sultan Mehmed VI's representatives sign the Treaty of Sèvres that divides up the Ottoman Empire between the Allies.

Sultan Mehmed VI signs the Treaty of Sèvres, carving up the Ottoman Empire among the Allies after WWI.
On August 10, 1920, representatives of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed VI signed the Treaty of Sèvres in the French city of Sèvres, officially partitioning the Ottoman Empire among the Allied Powers. The accord stripped the empire of vast territories in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, allocating regions to Britain, France, Greece, and Italy, and recognizing new states like Armenia. The treaty aimed to secure Allied interests but faced fierce opposition from Turkish nationalists led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, eventually leading to the Turkish War of Independence. The Treaty of Sèvres was never fully implemented and was superseded by the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923.
1920 World War I Ottoman sultan Mehmed VI Treaty of Sèvres Ottoman Empire Allies
1945day.year

The Japanese government announced that a message had been sent to the Allies accepting the terms of the Potsdam Declaration provided that it "does not comprise any demand that prejudices the prerogatives of the Emperor as sovereign ruler."

Japan notifies the Allies of its acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration, reserving the Emperor's sovereign prerogatives.
On August 10, 1945, the Japanese government informed the Allied powers that it would accept the terms of the Potsdam Declaration, which called for Japan's unconditional surrender. The message included a condition that the declaration must not infringe upon the Emperor's status as sovereign ruler. This subtle reservation reflected Japan's desire to preserve the imperial institution and prevent its removal. The announcement followed the devastating atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet Union's entry into the war against Japan. Allied leaders debated whether this qualified acceptance met the declaration's demands. Ultimately, Japan's position led to further negotiations and the Emperor's renunciation of divine status.
1945 Potsdam Declaration
1949day.year

An amendment to the National Security Act of 1947 enhances the authority of the United States Secretary of Defense over the Army, Navy and Air Force, and replaces the National Military Establishment with the Department of Defense.

The U.S. reorganizes its military structure by amending the National Security Act, establishing the Department of Defense under a stronger Secretary of Defense.
An amendment to the National Security Act of 1947 took effect on August 10, 1949, strengthening the authority of the United States Secretary of Defense over the separate military branches. It replaced the National Military Establishment with the unified Department of Defense, consolidating control of the Army, Navy, and Air Force under a single department. The change aimed to improve coordination and efficiency in the newly emerging Cold War environment. It addressed inter-service rivalry and clarified civilian oversight of the armed forces. The reorganization laid the foundation for modern U.S. defense policy and command structure. The Department of Defense remains the central authority for American military operations.
1949 National Security Act of 1947 United States Secretary of Defense Department of Defense
1988,day.year

Japanese American internment: U.S. President Ronald Reagan signs the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, providing $20,000 payments to Japanese Americans who were either interned in or relocated by the United States during World War II.

President Ronald Reagan signs landmark legislation to compensate Japanese Americans for wartime internment and forbid future injustice.
Decades after Japanese American families were forcibly relocated and interned during World War II, President Reagan addressed this dark chapter in American history. On August 10, 1988, he signed the Civil Liberties Act, offering a formal apology and $20,000 in reparations to each surviving internee. The Act recognized the profound injustice and suffering endured by over 120,000 individuals of Japanese descent. It established a precedent for governmental accountability and civil rights restitution. Congress created an administrative framework to process claims and distribute payments. The law also funded educational programs to ensure the internment would not be forgotten. This legislative milestone reaffirmed constitutional protections and inspired later efforts to redress other historical wrongs.
1988 Japanese American internment Ronald Reagan Civil Liberties Act of 1988 Japanese Americans
1995day.year

Oklahoma City bombing: Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols are indicted for the bombing. Michael Fortier pleads guilty in a plea-bargain for his testimony.

Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols are indicted for the Oklahoma City bombing, a pivotal moment in the aftermath of America’s deadliest domestic terror attack.
Following the April 19, 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, investigators worked tirelessly to identify and capture those responsible. On August 10, 1995, a federal grand jury indicted militia militants Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols on multiple counts of murder and conspiracy. Michael Fortier, a former accomplice, entered a plea agreement and provided testimony crucial to the prosecution. The indictments marked the formal start of one of the most complex and high-profile domestic terrorism trials in U.S. history. Families of victims and survivors awaited justice after the attack left 168 people dead, including children. The legal proceedings also brought national scrutiny to extremist groups and anti-government sentiments. The case reshaped federal counterterrorism policies and highlighted the importance of interagency cooperation. Trial preparations moved forward amid intense media attention and public demand for accountability.
1995 Oklahoma City bombing Timothy McVeigh Terry Nichols Michael Fortier
1998day.year

HRH Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah is proclaimed the crown prince of Brunei with a Royal Proclamation.

Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah is officially proclaimed Crown Prince of Brunei in a royal proclamation ceremony.
On August 10, 1998, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei issued a royal proclamation naming his eldest son, Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, as the Crown Prince. This formal announcement affirmed the line of succession in one of the world’s last absolute monarchies. At the ceremony in the Sultan’s palace, dignitaries and foreign envoys witnessed the prince receiving the royal regalia. Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, educated in Brunei and abroad, was tasked with preparing for future leadership responsibilities. His investiture symbolized the continuity and stability of Brunei’s monarchy and governance. The event highlighted the nation’s rich cultural traditions and reverence for palace protocol. As heir apparent, the prince would oversee key state functions and represent Brunei on the international stage. Observers noted the balance of modern influence and ancient custom reflected in the ceremony.
1998 Al-Muhtadee Billah crown prince Brunei