25 fun facts for August, 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
August 10th is a day filled with historical events, notable birthdays, and celebrated days. Highlights include the establishment of the Smithsonian Institution, the birth of actor Antonio Banderas, and Ecuador's National Day. It is also home to unique celebrations such as National Lazy Day and World Lion Day.
25 Fun facts
  1. August 10th is Ecuador's National Day, also known as Independence Day. It marks the day Quito rebelled against Spanish rule in 1809, starting the Latin American independence movement.
  2. On August 10, 1675, the foundation stone for the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London was laid. The observatory was an important facility for scientific research and astronomical observations.
  3. The Smithsonian Institution was established on August 10, 1846, after an act of Congress in the United States. The institution is a group of museums and research centers that promote education, research, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
  4. The first electric traffic signal system was installed on August 10, 1914, in Cleveland, Ohio. This invention revolutionized traffic management and road safety worldwide.
  5. On August 10, 1948, Candid Camera, one of the first-ever reality television shows, made its television debut. The show featured people being caught in amusing and unexpected situations.
  6. The famous movie director, actor, and producer Cecil B. DeMille was born on August 10, 1881. DeMille was one of the most influential filmmakers in the history of cinema.
  7. On August 10, 1842, the Webster-Ashburton Treaty was signed between the United States and the United Kingdom to resolve a border dispute. The treaty helped to maintain peace and cooperation between the two countries.
  8. The Baseball Hall of Fame, located in Cooperstown, New York, was opened on August 10, 1939. It honors the history of the sport and its players, managers, umpires, and executives.
  9. The French opera singer, songwriter, and composer Marie-Joseph Auguste Émile Legros, known as Emma Calvé, was born on August 10, 1858. Calvé was one of the most famous sopranos of her time.
  10. August 10th is World Lion Day. This day is celebrated to raise awareness about the need to protect and conserve lions and their habitats.
  11. The United States Postal Service Test, a forerunner of today's email, was first introduced on August 10, 1982. The system allowed users to send electronic messages through physical mail.
  12. The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also called Mangalyaan, was launched by the Indian Space Research Organization on August 10, 2014. MOM is India's first interplanetary mission and made India the first Asian country to reach Mars.
  13. On August 10, 2013, Usain Bolt won the 2013 World Championships in Athletics, held in Moscow, Russia. Bolt achieved a time of 9.77 seconds in the men's 100-meter race.
  14. August 10 is celebrated as National Lazy Day in the United States. The day encourages people to take a break from work, relax, and enjoy some leisure time.
  15. On August 10, 2003, one of the hottest days in UK history was recorded, with temperatures reaching 38.5°C (101.3°F) in Faversham, Kent.
  16. The film Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World, a direct-to-video sequel to Disney's Pocahontas, was released on August 10, 1998.
  17. The singer and actor Antonio Banderas was born on August 10, 1960. Banderas has starred in numerous films including The Mask of Zorro, Philadelphia, The 13th Warrior, and the Shrek series.
  18. August 10 marks the founding day of the city of Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, in 1538.
  19. The first ever World's Exposition, known as the Great Exhibition, held in London from May 1 to October 15, 1851, reached its peak attendance on August 10, with over 109,000 visitors.
  20. New Orleans Square, a section of Disneyland in California, was opened to the public on August 10, 1966. The area features attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion.
  21. In 1990, NASA's spacecraft Magellan arrived at Venus on August 10. Magellan's mission was to map the planet's surface.
  22. On August 10, 1985, the pop superstar Michael Jackson acquired the rights to the Beatles' publishing catalog for $47.5 million.
  23. August 10th is known as National Banana Split Day in the United States, celebrating the iconic dessert consisting of bananas, ice cream, and various toppings.
  24. The famous suspense and thriller writer Sue Grafton was born on August 10, 1940. Grafton is best known for her alphabet series featuring private investigator Kinsey Millhone.
  25. The largest-ever power blackout in North America occurred on August 10, 1996, affecting the Western United States and parts of Canada. The blackout left millions of people without electricity for up to six hours.

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