Today in History: 10 Events That Shaped the World on May 10th

Today in History, May 10 marks a day of major changes across the globe. This date is will be remembered as a day of new beginnings and for the fight for freedom.

On this day, India witnessed the rise of Mughals. It also reminds us of the brave struggle for human rights in South Africa.

From the scaling of Mount Everest twice by a woman to the appointment of Winston Churchill as PM of the United Kingdom, events of May 10 have shaped our modern world. Let us look at the events that define this day. 

Babur enters Agra to establish the Mughal Empire ( 1526)

After the great victory of Panipat, Babur reached the city of Agra on this day. He was the first ruler of the Mughal Empire in India. Having conquered the Sultan of Delhi he went to Agra to take possession of the new city. 

This represented the start of a dynasty that would dominate the country for more than three hundred years. The Mughals brought new styles of art and grand buildings to South Asia. 

Their rule changed the culture and history of the land forever. One can still find their influence in well-known places in India today.

The Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia (1775)

The meeting was a crucial one in which leaders from the thirteen American colonies met in Pennsylvania. They met during the escalation of tensions with Great Britain to total war. 

This group served as the first national government of the young nation of the United States. In their time they formed a new army to fight for freedom. 

They even selected George Washington to command these troops in combat. This meeting was an important part in creating a new free nation. A year later, its efforts resulted in the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The Indian Rebellion begins in the town of Meerut (1857)

On this day the Indian soldiers (sepoys) revolted against the British East India Company. This event initiated a great struggle for freedom in northern and central India. 

The rebellion was against the imposition of unjust laws and the threat to local traditions. It became a pivotal moment in Britain's rule of the country for the next ninety years. 

This is now known by many as the First War of Indian Independence. It demonstrated to the world the Indian opposition to foreign rule. 

Workers finish the First Transcontinental Railroad in the United States (1869)

A group of workers from two great rail lines namely the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads met in Promontory Summit, Utah, to connect the two rail lines. In order to mark the end of the project, they drove a golden spike into the ground. 

It was the first railroad to connect the Atlantic and Pacific coast of the country. It reduced the time for a journey over the continent from months to a few days. 

It was an engineering achievement that enabled the U.S. to expand and trade more readily. It also changed the lives of many people living in the West.

Source: Andrew J. Russell / Adam Cuerden - Yale University Libraries

Did You Know?

On May 10, 1994, the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" was played at Nelson Mandela's inauguration. It was a joyful tribute to the "Lion of Africa" as he took office.

J. Edgar Hoover becomes the head of the Bureau of Investigation (1924)

J.Edgar Hoover became the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He remained in this powerful position for 48 years until he died. It was during his tenure that the FBI became a modern institution for crime solving. 

He employed new methods such as finger prints, lab tests to apprehend criminals. But his extended reign was also marred by his secret files on citizens. He influenced the way law and order works in the United States today.

The Nazis burn books in cities across Germany (1933)

The Nazi party led students to burn thousands of books, as part of a dark moment in world history. They singled out works by Jewish authors and others who did not conform to their beliefs. 

This occurred in Berlin and elsewhere in the university towns of Germany. They sought to annihilate all concepts that were in opposition to them. The event demonstrated to the world the new German government wasn't going to tolerate free speech. 

Winston Churchill becomes the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1940)

On this day Winston Churchill came to power as the Prime Minister of United Kingdom, coincidentally it was also the day that Germany invaded Western Europe. 

He succeeded Neville Chamberlain in the early, dark days of World War II. Churchill was famous for his courageous oratory as well as his refusal to surrender. For five years he conducted his country to victory in the war. 

His leadership helped to sustain his people's spirits throughout the Blitz. Today he is remembered as one of the greatest leaders of the war. 

The USS Triton finishes the first submerged trip around the world (1960)

This U.S. nuclear submarine sailed down the route of Ferdinand Magellan. During the entire 84 day voyage the ship remained below the water. This mission was a big test of science and human skill. 

It demonstrated the ability of nuclear ships to make long voyages without surfacing for air or fuel. The voyage was used to collect important information about the oceans and the earth's shape. 

This was a demonstration of the emergence of modern technology during the Cold War. It is still a historic milestone in the history of maritime navigation.

Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

Santosh Yadav becomes the first woman to scale Mount Everest twice (1993)

On this day, this gallant Indian mountaineer Santosh Yadav conquered the world's highest peak for the second time. She climbed Everest for the first time a year ago. 

This made her a hero among many young people in India and the world. Yadav twice scaled to the top in extreme cold temperatures and thin air. In addition, on her first trip, she saved the life of another climber. 

Her accomplishments demonstrated that women could be outstanding in the most challenging of sports. She is recognised as a symbol of strength and women empowerment in South Asia.

Nelson Mandela takes office as the President of South Africa (1994)

Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa after the first free and fair elections held in the country.

On this day, he took office as the President of the South Africa. Mandela had been in prison for 27 years for his struggle for equality. 

The speech given by him on that day was on healing the wounds of the past. He called everyone, irrespective of skin color, to participate in the process of constructing a new nation.

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