Skip to main content

View Historical Events by Day:

What Happened Today in History on January 10

Explore the historical events that shaped our world on January 10th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.

Julius Caesar, defying the order of the Roman Senate not to so, crosses the Rubicon River with his legion, famously uttering "alea iacta est" meaning "the die has been cast" and leading to the Roman Civil War. He was assassinated on March 15, 44 BC

Arcadius, Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, proclaims his nine months old son, Theodosius, co-Augustus, a title for co-emperor, When Arcadius died on May 1, 408 AD, Theodosius at the age of seven, became the sole ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire as Theodosius II. Because of his young age, A regency was established, Initially, under the Praetorian Prefect  Anthemius to govern the empire.

Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, issues the Golden Bull of 1356, formalizing the electoral college that selected the King of the Romans, who would later become Holy Roman Emperor and also defined a process to end disputes over imperial elections.

Battle of Vaslui between the Moldavian Prince Stephen the Great and the Ottoman Empire concludes with a decisive victory for Stephen the Great against a larger Ottoman army led by Hadım Suleiman Pasha.

The Council of Trent reconvenes in Trento, Italy, to discuss reforms in response to the Protestant Reformation.

Thomas Paine publishes "Common Sense," advocating American independence from Britain. More

The first freight train is introduced in the United States, operating in Quincy, Massachusetts.

The Great Eastern ship is launched in England, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

The Pemberton Mill in Lawrence, Massachusetts, collapses, resulting in the death of over 145 workers.

The Salvation Army begins operations in the United States.

The Lucas Gusher at Spindletop, just south of Beaumont, Texas, blew a stream of oil over 100 feet high until it was capped nine days later and flowed an estimated 100,000 barrels a day. It was found at a depth of 1,139 feet and it herald the beginning of the American Oil era. While some made fortunes, others lost everything. More

The Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) is established in New York City.

The League of Nations officially comes into existence holding its first council meeting in Paris. On November 15, 1920, 41 members states, representing more than 70% of the world’s population, gathered in Geneva for the opening of the first session of the Assembly. More

The Irish War of Independence begins as Irish guerrillas attack and burn down the Custom House in Dublin.

U.S. President Harding issues an executive order halting U.S. occupation of the Rhine allowing the return of the final contingent of American troops to return home, more than four years after the end of World War I.

The Soviet Union orders the exile of Leon Trotsky.

The United Nations convened the First Session of the General Assembly in London, England. Delegates representing 51 nations attended the session, wherein the scope and purpose of the United Nations was defined. More