34 fun facts for February, 10
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
February 10th is marked by a wide range of historical, scientific, and cultural events, from the founding of the YWCA to the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Notable events also include the invention of the automobile, the foundation of American Express, and the famous gold record awarded to Glenn Miller, among many others.
34 Fun facts
- In 1763, France ceded Canada to England after signing the Treaty of Paris, ending the French and Indian War. This greatly shaped the history and culture of the area, as well as the events leading up to the American Revolution.
- In 1798, the French revolutionary politician Louis Alexandre Berthier removed Pope Pius VI from power in Rome. This led to theocracy and religious conflicts during the French Revolution.
- In 1840, Queen Victoria of England married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. They became one of the most well-known royal couples and had nine children, which solidified the union between the two nations.
- In 1846, British Parliament officially granted the right of the British American Land Company to establish settlements in the Eastern Townships of Lower Canada, which created communities and economic development in the region.
- In 1863, American Express was founded by William Fargo and Henry Wells, which is now one of the largest and most recognizable financial service corporations in the world. Their services encompass credit cards, traveler's checks, and more.
- In 1870, the YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association) was founded in New York City to advocate for women's rights, provide support for women, and offer programs for women of all ages.
- In 1897, the New York Times coined the term "automobile" in a column about a new patent filed for a motorized vehicle.
- In 1931, New Delhi officially became the capital city of India, replacing Calcutta. Sir Edwin Lutyens designed the city as a symbol of British colonial power in the 20th century.
- In 1933, Dr. James E. Smith performed the first operation to remove a lung affected by cancer. This was a major milestone in cancer treatment and surgical technologies.
- In 1940, the famous animated film "Pinocchio" by Walt Disney was released, which remains a classic children's movie today.
- In 1942, Glenn Miller received the first-ever gold record for his song "Chattanooga Choo Choo," which sold over a million copies and kickstarted a new trend in the music industry.
- In 1949, the first Tesla coil was patented by Leland J. Anderson, an influential invention in electric power transmission and one of the foundations for modern wireless communications.
- In 1954, President Eisenhower warned against United States involvement in Vietnam, foreshadowing the country's eventual controversial role in the Vietnam War.
- In 1962, the United States began launching weather satellites, allowing for improved meteorological forecasting and increased understanding of global weather patterns.
- In 1967, the 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, outlining procedures for filling vacancies in the office of President and Vice President.
- In 1971, Britain converted to a decimal currency system, which made financial calculations and transactions much more straightforward.
- In 1996, IBM's supercomputer Deep Blue defeated the world chess champion, Garry Kasparov, marking a significant achievement for artificial intelligence and technology.
- In 2005, North Korea publicly admitted to possessing nuclear weapons, sparking international concern and diplomatic challenges in the following years.
- In 2006, Roald Dahl's writing hut was opened to the public, providing fans with a glimpse into the personal workspace of the well-loved children's author.
- In 2008, the United States passed a $168 billion stimulus package to combat the financial crisis at the time.
- In 2014, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a "digital ceasefire" to halt cyber warfare.
- In 2015, it was announced that Harper Lee's second novel, "Go Set a Watchman," had been discovered after editors believed it had been lost for nearly 60 years.
- In 2016, the satellite "Hitomi" was launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to further observe and understand the universe.
- In 2017, the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa Sky Lounge, opened in Dubai at a staggering 555 meters (1,821 feet) above ground level.
- February 10th is National Umbrella Day, a day to celebrate one of the most useful inventions in human history that has protected us from rain, sun, and much more.
- In Finland, February 10th is known as Finnish Culture Day, celebrating the cultural heritage and unique traditions of the Finnish people.
- In 2016, a new study showed that Pluto's "heart" contains an ice cap shaped by the dwarf planet's geological processes, changing scientists' perspective on the celestial body.
- February 10th is Teddy Day in India, an unofficial celebration of the beloved cuddly toys.
- In 2020, researchers discovered the deepest land canyon on Earth beneath the Denman Glacier in East Antarctica, measuring over 3,500 meters (11,500 feet) below sea level.
- In 2013, scientists at Harvard University created a functional, synthetic biological tissue from scratch, paving the way for future advancements in artificial organs.
- In 2012, Whitney Houston's unexpected death was reported, shocking the world and leaving a profound impact on the music industry.
- In 2003, the clip-on necktie was patented, saving wearers from the hassle of tying a traditional knot.
- The world's largest surfboard, measuring 42 feet long and 11 feet wide, was created in 2015 and successfully ridden by 66 people together.
- In 2019, researchers reported that a lost continent that existed 2 billion years ago may have provided crucial minerals for the rise of life on Earth.