33 fun facts for December, 10

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
December 10 has seen many notable events like the installation of the world's first traffic light, the creation of International Human Rights Day, and the awarding of the first Nobel Prizes. It also marks the anniversary of numerous achievements, such as the invention of liquid soap, the opening of Antarctica's first post office, and the release of iconic computer game DOOM.
33 Fun facts
  1. On December 10, 1868, the world's first traffic light was installed near the British Parliament in London. However, it ended up exploding after just one month in operation, injuring the police officer operating it.
  2. December 10 is celebrated as International Human Rights Day, commemorating the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The day serves to promote the awareness and protection of human rights worldwide.
  3. The Nobel Prizes are awarded annually on December 10 in honor of the birthday of Alfred Nobel, who established the prizes in his will. Nobel Prizes recognize outstanding achievements in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Peace.
  4. In 1901, the first ever Nobel Prizes were awarded in Stockholm, Sweden, and in Oslo, Norway. The prizes were established by the will of the inventor of dynamite, Alfred Nobel.
  5. On December 10, 1896, Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, engineer, and inventor, passed away. He held over 350 patents and invented dynamite, which revolutionized construction, mining, and other industries.
  6. The South Korean boyband BTS won the IFPI Global Recording Artist Award for 2020, being the first and only Asian artist to receive the honor. The award was presented on December 10, 2021.
  7. In 2019, Finland appointed 34-year-old Sanna Marin as Prime Minister on December 10, making her the youngest serving Prime Minister in the world at that time.
  8. On December 10, 2007, controversial Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced the creation of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela to unite various political parties supporting his government.
  9. In 2006, former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet passed away, just days after his 91st birthday. His controversial rule is remembered for the ruthless repression of opposition and human rights abuses.
  10. Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 1979, for her humanitarian work with the poor and destitute in India.
  11. On December 10, 1993, the popular computer game DOOM was released by id Software, revolutionizing the gaming world with its cutting-edge graphics, networked multiplayer gaming, and modding capabilities.
  12. December 10 is celebrated as National Lager Day in the United States, honoring the popular type of beer that originated in Germany and is enjoyed worldwide.
  13. Mississippi became the 20th U.S. state on December 10, 1817, when President James Monroe signed the document admitting it into the Union.
  14. Antarctica's first post office opened on December 10, 1956, at McMurdo Station, a research center on Ross Island.
  15. The iconic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, California, was illuminated for the first time on December 10, 1928, signaling the beginning of the movie industry's dominance in the area.
  16. The United Nations General Assembly recognized Palestine as a non-member observer state on December 10, 2012, increasing their international recognition and status.
  17. In 1948, on December 10, the United States, Great Britain, China, and France announced plans for the Case-Zablocki Act, which facilitated international agreements between nations and increased cooperation after World War II.
  18. On December 10, 2005, the now-closed California theme park, Marineland of the Pacific, celebrated its 50th anniversary. The park once featured numerous marine animals and exhibits, including the famous "Bubbles the Whale."
  19. In Cuba, Rafael Trejo Boxing was inaugurated on December 10, 1973. This iconic gym is named after a revolutionary martyr and is the oldest boxing gym in the country.
  20. In 2013, Pope Francis was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year on December 10, just nine months after being elected as the leader of the Catholic Church.
  21. December 10 is celebrated as Thailand's Constitution Day, marking the country's transition from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy in 1932.
  22. Malta's Independence Day falls on December 10, celebrating the country's independence from the British Empire in 1964.
  23. The Malaysia Agreement was signed on December 10, 1962, paving the way for the creation of the Malaysian Federation in 1963.
  24. December 10 is recognized as National Day in Morocco, commemorating the death of King Mohammed V in 1961.
  25. On December 10, 1971, William H. Rehnquist was confirmed as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, serving in that capacity until his promotion to Chief Justice in 1986.
  26. The first public ice rink in Westminster, London, named The Glaciarium, was opened on December 10, 1876, featuring a surface made from a mixture of salts and chemicals instead of actual ice.
  27. The Arabian peninsula nation of Qatar became an independent state on December 10, 1971, after Britain terminated its protectorate.
  28. December 10 is celebrated as National Tango Day in Argentina, honoring the popular dance style that originated in the country during the 19th century.
  29. Sir Elton John's biggest-selling single, "Candle in the Wind 1997," was named the best-selling single of all time by Guinness World Records on December 10, 1997, with over 33 million copies sold worldwide.
  30. On December 10, 1965, a popular Christmas song called "Snoopy's Christmas" by The Royal Guardsmen was released. It was inspired by the comic strip character Snoopy from Charles Schulz's Peanuts.
  31. The first American patent for liquid soap was issued to William Sheppard on December 10, 1865. His invention paved the way for the modern soap and cleaning products industries.
  32. On December 10, 1953, a research paper co-authored by James D. Watson and Francis H.C Crick was published in the journal 'Nature.' The paper described their discovery of the double helix DNA structure, which revolutionized the field of molecular biology.
  33. The first commercial uranium mines in the United States began operations near Moab, Utah, on December 10, 1949, signaling the beginning of the country's nuclear industry.

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