This day in history: 10 june

Italy Declares War (1940)
On June 10, 1940, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini declared war on France and the United Kingdom, officially bringing Italy into World War II on the side of Nazi Germany and the Axis powers. This marked a significant escalation in the conflict and had major consequences for the course of the war in Europe.
Massacre at Lidice, Czechoslovakia (1942)
On June 10, 1942, the Czech village of Lidice was destroyed by Nazi forces in retaliation for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, a high-ranking Nazi official. The Nazis killed 252 adults from the village and razed Lidice to the ground, making it a symbol of Nazi brutality and wartime atrocities in Europe.
End of the Six-Day War (1967)
Although not a European event, the end of the Six-Day War on June 10, 1967, had significant global repercussions, including in Europe, due to the involvement and interests of European powers in the Middle East.
In 1999, the Kosovo War ended after an agreement for the withdrawal of Serbian forces, following a NATO bombing campaign. This was a major event in European history, affecting the Balkan region and European security policy.
In 1936, the Russian animation studio Soyuzmultfilm was established, which became an important part of Soviet and European cultural history.

Landing of U.S. Marines at Guantánamo Bay (1898): On June 10, 1898, during the Spanish-American War, U.S. Marines landed at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. This marked the beginning of a land campaign that helped end Spanish colonial rule in the Western Hemisphere. The conflict followed the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine and led to the Treaty of Paris, through which the United States gained sovereignty over Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, marking the emergence of the U.S. as a global power.
James Earl Ray’s Prison Escape (1977): On June 10, 1977, James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., escaped from Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Tennessee. He was recaptured three days later after a massive manhunt.
Founding of Alcoholics Anonymous (1935): On June 10, 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in Akron, Ohio, by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. This organization introduced the Twelve-Step program, which has become a widely used framework for addiction recovery.
Salem Witch Trials Execution (1692): Although colonial rather than modern America, on June 10, 1692, Bridget Bishop became the first person hanged during the Salem witch trials in Massachusetts Bay Colony, marking a notorious episode in early American history.
The U.S. Naval Academy held its first graduation on June 10, 1854.
In 1801, the North African state of Tripoli declared war on the U.S., related to Mediterranean maritime security.

1786 – Sichuan Landslide Dam Disaster (China)
A catastrophic event occurred when a landslide dam on the Dadu River, created by an earthquake ten days earlier, collapsed. The resulting flood killed approximately 100,000 people in Sichuan province, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in Chinese history.
Echelon Asia Summit (Singapore): On June 10–11, 2025, Singapore hosts Echelon, a major tech and startup conference that brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders from across Southeast Asia to discuss innovation and growth in the tech sector.

End of Apartheid-Era State of Emergency in South Africa (1990)
On June 10, 1990, South African President F.W. de Klerk announced the end of the state of emergency that had been in place since 1986. This was a pivotal step in South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy, signaling the government’s willingness to pursue political reform and engage in dialogue with anti-apartheid leaders, including Nelson Mandela.
Togo’s Presidential Election (2003)
On June 10, 2003, Togo held a presidential election in which long-standing leader Gnassingbé Eyadéma was re-elected. The election was controversial, with allegations of irregularities and human rights abuses, reflecting the broader challenges of democratic development in the country.
World War II: Battle of Sīdī Barrānī (1940)
On June 10, 1940, as part of the North Africa campaigns during World War II, British and Indian forces launched attacks against Italian positions at Sīdī Barrānī in Egypt. These operations were part of the larger struggle for control in North Africa, which had significant implications for the continent’s colonial and wartime history.