25 fun facts for January, 10
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
From the first underground railway opening in London and the League of Nations' first council meeting, to the National Cut Your Energy Costs Day and the Apple iPhone's introduction, January 10 is a day filled with fascinating historical events, technology breakthroughs, and unique celebrations.
25 Fun facts
- On January 10, 1949, the popular TV show "The Lone Ranger" premiered on ABC. It starred Clayton Moore as the masked hero and Jay Silverheels as Tonto. The show would run for 221 episodes until 1957 and has since become a beloved classic.
- January 10, 1984, marked the first time the United States Supreme Court used a TV for evidence viewing. This occurred during the case of Chris Schact vs. The New York Yankees, where a film clip was used as evidence in the trial.
- January 10 is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day, a day dedicated to looking for ways to reduce energy consumption and save money on utility bills. People are encouraged to implement energy-saving measures and consider alternative energy sources on this day.
- January 10, 1920, the League of Nations, a precursor to the United Nations, held its first council meeting in Paris. The League was formed after World War I to promote international cooperation and maintain global peace, however, its mission ultimately failed to prevent World War II.
- On January 10, 1861, Florida became the third U.S. state to secede from the Union and join the Confederacy, after South Carolina and Mississippi. The Civil War would still be more than three months away.
- January 10 is National Bittersweet Chocolate Day in the United States, a day to enjoy the rich, decadent flavor of bittersweet chocolate. With its high cocoa content and lower sugar content, bittersweet chocolate is considered a healthier indulgence compared to milk chocolate.
- The first ever underground railway in London, known as the Metropolitan Railway or "The Tube," opened on January 10, 1863. Today, London's tube network is one of the largest and busiest in the world, stretching over 400 kilometers and serving more than 270 stations.
- The Gombe Stream Research Center was established in Tanzania on January 10, 1960, by British primatologist Jane Goodall. Renowned for its groundbreaking research on chimpanzee behavior and conservation, the center has helped redefine human-animal relationships and inspired a new generation of researchers and conservationists.
- On January 10, 2000, the popular online marketplace, AOL, announced it would be acquiring Time Warner for $164 billion, creating the largest merger in history at that time. However, the merger would later turn out to be a disastrous failure, resulting in a 2002 split.
- American inventor and businessman Thomas Edison received a patent for the Electric Incandescent Lamp on January 10, 1880. The invention revolutionized lighting, eventually replacing gas lights and becoming a precursor to the electric light bulbs widely used today.
- January 10, 2001, saw the first public demonstration of the Segway PT, a two-wheeled, self-balancing personal transporter developed by Dean Kamen. Despite its initial hype, the Segway never achieved the anticipated impact on transportation, and its production was discontinued in 2020.
- On January 10, 1901, the Spindletop Oil Field was discovered in Beaumont, Texas. The subsequent oil boom transformed the U.S. economy and made Texas a major player in the oil industry, leading to the establishment of companies like Texaco and Gulf Oil.
- January 10, 1990, marked the release of Time–Life's iconic "Mysteries of the Unknown" book series. Covering topics such as UFOs, psychic powers, and ancient mysteries, the series became an instant hit and inspired many readers' interest in unexplained phenomena.
- Born on January 10, 1945, Rod Stewart is a highly accomplished British rock and pop singer with a career spanning over five decades. Known for his raspy voice and energetic performances, Stewart has sold over 120 million records worldwide.
- In 1917, the silent film adaptation of Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" was released on January 10. It was the first motion picture filmed underwater, using a watertight camera and pioneering underwater cinematography techniques.
- On January 10, 1956, the hit song "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets reached one million sales in the United Kingdom, making it the first rock ‘n’ roll record to accomplish this feat.
- The Apple iPhone was first introduced to the world on January 10, 2007, by Steve Jobs during an Apple Keynote presentation at Macworld Expo. The iPhone revolutionized the smartphone industry and its release marked a significant turning point in mobile technology.
- On January 10, 1946, Project Diana, a United States Army experiment, successfully bounced radar signals off the Moon for the first time. This achievement paved the way for lunar exploration and was a precursor to satellite communication.
- In 1985, Sir Clive Sinclair launched the Sinclair C5 on January 10, a battery-electric vehicle designed to revolutionize personal transportation. Unfortunately, the C5 was met with poor reception and commercial failure, but its design remains an iconic part of 1980s British culture.
- The International Festival of Laughter is held on January 10 in Zadar, Croatia, where performers from all over the world come together to showcase their talents in humor, satire, and stand-up comedy.
- January 10 is National Houseplant Appreciation Day in the United States, acknowledging the positive impact houseplants have on our health, happiness, and indoor air quality. People are encouraged to buy, care for, or learn about houseplants on this day.
- Born on January 10, 1949, Allu Aravind is a highly influential Indian film producer and distributor known for popularizing Telugu cinema worldwide. He has produced over 60 films and is considered one of the most successful producers in Indian cinema history.
- The Toyota Motor Corporation was founded on January 10, 1937, in Japan by Kiichiro Toyoda. Today, Toyota is one of the world's largest automobile manufacturers and a leading innovator in hybrid vehicles and green technology.
- Born on January 10, 1961, Evan Handler is an American actor best known for his roles as Harry Goldenblatt on the hit TV show "Sex and the City" and Charlie Runkle on "Californication."
- January 10 is celebrated as World Hindi Day, promoting the Hindi language and its cultural significance. Hindi, one of the official languages of India, is spoken by roughly 41% of the Indian population, making it the fourth most spoken language in the world.