This day in history: 10 january

Europa

• 49 BCE – Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon: This act by Caesar, defying the Roman Senate, marked the start of the Roman Civil War and has since become synonymous with passing a point of no return.
• 1072 – Normans capture Palermo: Led by Robert Guiscard, Norman forces took control of Palermo in Sicily, consolidating Norman power in southern Italy.
• 1430 – Order of the Golden Fleece established: Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, founded this prestigious chivalric order, which became one of Europe’s most exclusive honors.
• 1645 – Execution of Archbishop William Laud: Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury and a prominent religious figure in England, was executed during the English Civil War.
• 1863 – London Underground opens: The Metropolitan Railway, the world’s first underground railway, began operations between Paddington and Farringdon, marking a major milestone in urban transport.
• 1918 – House of Lords approves women’s suffrage: The UK House of Lords gave its approval to the Representation of the People Bill, granting women over 30 the right to vote, a key moment in the history of democracy and women’s rights in Europe.
• 1920 – Treaty of Versailles takes effect / League of Nations established: The Treaty of Versailles officially ended World War I for most combatant nations (except the US), and the League of Nations, precursor to the United Nations, was inaugurated to promote peace and cooperation after the war.
• 1929 – First Adventures of Tintin published: The first comic book featuring Tintin was published by Hergé, beginning a series that became hugely influential in European and global popular culture.
• 1946 – First United Nations General Assembly convenes: Representatives from 51 nations, including many European countries, met in London for the inaugural session of the UN General Assembly.

America

• 1776: Thomas Paine anonymously published his influential pamphlet Common Sense, which powerfully argued for American independence from British rule and helped galvanize the Revolutionary War effort.
• 1861: Florida became the third state to secede from the Union, a key step leading up to the American Civil War.
• 1870: John D. Rockefeller incorporated the Standard Oil Company, which would become a dominant force in the American oil industry and a major example of early corporate monopoly.
• 1901: The discovery of the Spindletop oil gusher in Beaumont, Texas, marked the beginning of the Texas oil boom and transformed the U.S. energy industry.
• 1914: Labor activist Joe Hill was arrested following the murder of a grocer and his son in Salt Lake City; Hill was later controversially convicted and executed, becoming a martyr for the American labor movement.
• 1982: In sports history, the famous NFL play known as “The Catch” occurred on January 10, when San Francisco 49ers receiver Dwight Clark caught a last-minute touchdown pass from Joe Montana to defeat the Dallas Cowboys and advance to Super Bowl XVI.

Asia

• AD 9: The Western Han dynasty in China ended when Wang Mang declared the beginning of his Xin dynasty, claiming the divine Mandate of Heaven to justify the dynastic change. This marked a significant turning point in Chinese imperial history.
• 1914: Birth of Yu Kuo-hwa, who later became the 23rd Premier of the Republic of China (Taiwan), serving as an important political figure in modern Chinese history.
• 1983: Birth of Li Nina, a prominent Chinese skier, and in 1986, Chen Jin, a noted Chinese badminton player, were born on this day.
• 1983 (Philippines): President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed the country’s first comprehensive Local Government Code into law, a key development in the governance structure of the Philippines.

Africa

• 1879 – Beginning of the Anglo-Zulu War: After the expiration of a British ultimatum to the Zulu kingdom, British forces invaded Zululand, marking the start of the Anglo-Zulu War. This conflict was a direct result of British colonial ambitions and the perceived threat of the independent Zulu kingdom under King Cetshwayo. The invasion began on January 10, 1879, when three columns of British troops entered Zululand.
• 1806 – British Occupation of Cape Town: Two British brigades occupied Cape Town following the defeat of Dutch forces at the Battle of Blaauwberg. This marked the second and final surrender of the Cape Colony to British control, shaping the future of South Africa.