Osun Defender History Corner: January 10 In Focus

Today, on the history corner, we take a trip in the realm of flashback and recall some events that marked this day.

January 10, 49 BCE

Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon River, sparking a civil war in Rome.

January 10, 1776

Thomas Paine publishes “Common Sense,” advocating for American independence.

January 10, 1863

The world’s first underground railway, the London Underground, opens to the public.

January 10, 1920

The Treaty of Versailles takes effect, officially ending World War I.

January 10, 1927

Fritz Lang’s iconic film “Metropolis” premieres in Berlin.

January 10, 1946

The first General Assembly of the United Nations convenes in London.

January 10, 1962

NASA launches the first spacecraft in the Ranger program, aiming to capture close-up images of the moon.

January 10, 1984

The United States and the Vatican establish full diplomatic relations after 117 years.

January 10, 2005

A probe, Huygens, lands on Saturn’s moon Titan, providing valuable data about its atmosphere and surface.

January 10, 2010

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake strikes Haiti, causing widespread devastation in and around the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

January 10, 2011

The Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia runs aground off the coast of Tuscany, leading to multiple fatalities and a large-scale rescue operation.

January 10, 2016

Music legend David Bowie passes away at the age of 69.

January 10, 2018

The Mudslides in Montecito, California, result in numerous casualties and widespread destruction.

January 10, 2019

Andy Murray announces his impending retirement from professional tennis due to persistent hip injuries.

January 10, 2020

The World Health Organization confirms the first case of COVID-19 outside China in Thailand.

January 10, 2020

The Taal Volcano in the Philippines erupts, leading to evacuations and flight cancellations.

January 10, 2020

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle announce their intention to step back from their roles as senior members of the British royal family.

January 10, 2021

Twitter permanently suspends then-US President Donald Trump’s account after the storming of the U.S. Capitol.

January 10, 2021

China’s Chang’e-5 mission successfully returns lunar samples to Earth.

January 10, 2022

The Winter Olympics open in Beijing, China.

Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on January 10. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.