20 Interesting Facts About March 10: This Day in History

ByKim Richmond Hours Updated Categories Time & Calendar

When exploring the remarkable facts about March 10, one moment stands out as transformative: Alexander Graham Bell’s first successful telephone call in 1876, uttering the famous words “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.”

This groundbreaking achievement set the stage for a date rich in technological innovations, cultural milestones, and social progress that would shape the course of human communication and connection.

March 10 Facts At-a-Glance

Historical Significance: First Telephone Call (1876)
Famous Birthdays: Chuck Norris, Sharon Stone
Cultural Observances: Mario Day (MAR10)
Notable Event: Tibet Uprising Day (1959)
Numerological Position: 69th day of the year
Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Historical Events and Turning Points

March 10 stands as a crucial date that has witnessed events that revolutionized communication and human rights.

  1. On March 10, 1629, King Charles I of England dissolved Parliament, initiating an eleven-year period known as the Personal Rule, during which he governed without parliamentary consent.
  2. The French Foreign Legion was formed on March 10, 1831, by King Louis Philippe, allowing foreign nationals to serve in the French Army.
  3. On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful telephone call, revolutionizing human communication.
  4. On March 10, 1933, a devastating 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Long Beach, California, claiming between 115 and 120 lives, affecting more than 120,000 people, and causing an estimated $40 million in damage.
  5. On March 10, 1945, U.S. B-29 bombers conducted the deadliest conventional air raid on Tokyo.
  6. On March 10, 1952, Fulgencio Batista led a successful coup in Cuba, setting the stage for later revolution.
  7. On March 10, 1959, the Tibetan Uprising began in Lhasa against Chinese occupation, leading to the Dalai Lama’s exile.
  8. On March 10, 1969, James Earl Ray pleaded guilty to assassinating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., receiving a 99-year sentence.
  9. On March 10, 1975, North Vietnamese forces, also known as PAVN, encircled Ban Me Thuot, starting their final offensive of the Vietnam War.
  10. On March 10, 1985, Soviet leader Konstantin Chernenko died in office, paving the way for Mikhail Gorbachev’s rise to power.

Notable Births

March 10 has marked the birth of influential figures who have shaped our world.

  1. On March 10, 1928, James Earl Ray, an American fugitive who was convicted of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, was born in Alton, Illinois.
  2. On March 10, 1940, Chuck Norris was born in Ryan, Oklahoma, later becoming a martial arts legend and actor.
  3. On March 10, 1957, Osama bin Laden was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He later became one of history’s most notorious terrorists as the founder of al-Qaeda, orchestrating numerous attacks, including the September 11 attacks in 2001.
  4. On March 10, 1958, Sharon Stone was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania, later becoming an acclaimed actress.

Scientific and Technological Milestones

March 10 marks several significant advances in science and space exploration.

  1. On March 10, 1977, astronomers discovered the rings around Uranus during their observation of the planet. The discovery was made by observing Uranus pass in front of a star, which is called a stellar occultation.
  2. On March 10, 1982, all nine planets were considered to be on the same side of the sun, an event sometimes referred to as a “planetary alignment.”

Sports and Entertainment History

The world of sports and entertainment has witnessed remarkable achievements on March 10.

  1. On March 10, 1997, the TV series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” premiered, revolutionizing genre television.
  2. “The Incredible Hulk” TV series, starring Bill Bixby, premiered on March 10, 1978, becoming a popular show in American television history.

Modern Significance and Observances

Today, March 10 continues to hold special significance through various observances and commemorations.

  1. Mario Day (MAR10), observed on March 10 every year, is celebrated globally by Nintendo fans and gaming enthusiasts. It is a tribute to the beloved character Mario and the vast universe he inhabits.
  2. March 10 is recognized as National Pack Your Lunch Day in the United States, promoting the practice of bringing homemade meals to encourage healthier eating habits and cost savings.

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