In History, Today on August 10

A major wildfire prompted evacuations in the Canary Islands, affecting thousands of residents and tourists.

Former South African President Jacob Zuma was ordered to return to jail after his early release was overturned by a court.

A major magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck near Haiti, resulting in significant destruction and loss of life.

Jeffrey Epstein, a financier facing charges of sex trafficking, was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City, leading to widespread controversy and conspiracy theories.

A 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck the island of Lombok in Indonesia, part of a series of quakes that caused widespread damage and loss of life.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan won the country's first direct presidential election, marking a significant shift in Turkish politics.

The Marikana miners' strike began in South Africa, leading to a series of protests and a tragic massacre later in the month.

British authorities thwarted a major terrorist plot to detonate liquid explosives on transatlantic flights from the UK to the United States, leading to significant changes in airport security measures worldwide.

The United Kingdom experienced its highest recorded temperature at 38.5°C (101.3°F) in Faversham, Kent, during a European heatwave.

The Space Shuttle Discovery launched on STS-105, a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) carrying supplies and crew members for Expedition 3.

Oklahoma City bombing suspect Timothy McVeigh and accomplice Terry Nichols were indicted on 11 counts following the devastating April 19 attack.

The Magellan spacecraft arrived at Venus, beginning its mission to map the planet's surface.

David Berkowitz, known as the 'Son of Sam', was arrested in New York City after a series of shootings.

The United Kingdom applied for membership in the European Economic Community (EEC) for the first time.

Japan offered to surrender in World War II, provided that the status of Emperor Hirohito remained unchanged.

The Battle of Guam ends in an American victory during the Pacific campaign of World War II. The recapture of Guam was part of the Allies' island-hopping strategy to advance towards Japan.

The Battle of Waterberg takes place during the German campaign against the Herero in German South West Africa, modern-day Namibia. This battle was part of the larger Herero Wars between the German colonial forces and the Herero people.

Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States, was born in West Branch, Iowa. He would later serve as President from 1929 to 1933, during the onset of the Great Depression.

During the American Civil War, the Battle of Wilson's Creek, also known as the Battle of Oak Hills, took place near Springfield, Missouri, marking the first major battle in the Western Theater and ending with a Confederate victory.

The Last Island hurricane, also known as the Isle Dernière hurricane, struck the Louisiana coast, demolishing Last Island, a popular resort destination, with devastating winds and a storm surge.

The Smithsonian Institution was established in Washington, D.C., with funds from the estate of James Smithson.

Missouri was admitted as the 24th state of the United States, following the Missouri Compromise which allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state in exchange for Maine's admission as a free state.

Quito declared independence from Spanish rule, marking the first attempt to gain autonomy in Spanish America. Although the effort failed, it inspired subsequent movements for independence across the continent.

The Tuileries Palace was stormed by the National Guard and the sans-culottes, marking a turning point in the French Revolution.

The Declaration of Independence was publicly read for the first time in Quebec City, Canada.

The Great Lisboa earthquake occurred, causing damage in Lisbon and triggering a tsunami.

The foundation stone of the Royal Greenwich Observatory in London was laid.

The Swedish warship Vasa sank on its maiden voyage in Stockholm harbor.

On August 10, 1585, the Treaty of Nonsuch was signed by Elizabeth I of England and representatives of the Dutch rebels fighting against Spanish control. By this treaty, Elizabeth agreed to provide military support for the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule, marking England's official involvement in the Eighty Years' War.

On August 10, 1557, at the Battle of St. Quentin, Spanish forces commanded by Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, defeated the French army led by Admiral Gaspard de Coligny. The battle was part of the Habsburg-Valois Wars, specifically the Italian War of 1551–1559, and it solidified Habsburg Spanish control over parts of northern France.

In 1539, on August 10, King Francis I of France signed the Edict of Villers-Cotterêts. This edict mandated the use of French in all official documents, replacing Latin, and is regarded as one of the most significant legal documents in French linguistic history, as it solidified the use of the French language in administrative affairs.

On August 10, 1519, the Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan set sail from Seville, Spain, on what would become the first successful circumnavigation of the Earth. Magellan commanded a fleet of five ships and 270 men. The expedition ultimately succeeded, proving for the first time that the Earth could be circumnavigated by sea, although Magellan himself was killed during the journey in the Philippines.

John II of France, also known as John the Good, was born. He would later become the King of France from 1350 to 1364, and his reign is noted for its fateful involvement in the Hundred Years' War.

The Swedish forces led by Birger Magnusson (later known as Birger Jarl) are repulsed during the Second Swedish Crusade against the Finns, a crucial event during the Northern Crusades aimed at converting pagan Finns to Christianity.

The Battle of Maldon takes place in Essex, England. Viking forces clashed with the English, led by Earl Byrhtnoth, in one of the period's notable early medieval battles. Despite being outnumbered, the English provided significant resistance before being defeated.

The Battle of Lechfeld took place, where Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, decisively defeated the Magyar forces, ending their incursions into Central Europe and solidifying his power.

Pope Eugene I was elected as the 75th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, succeeding Pope Martin I, who had been exiled by the Byzantine Emperor Constans II.

Saint Lawrence was executed during the persecution of Christians by the Roman Emperor Valerian.