April 10: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On April 10, 837, Halley's Comet swung closer to Earth than it ever had or would again — just 3.2 million miles away, likely appearing spectacularly bright in ancient skies.
About April 10
April 10 is a day of remarkable firsts and departures. The Virginia Company received its royal charter from James I in 1606, laying the bureaucratic groundwork for English settlement in North America. Over a century later, the Statute of Anne became the world's first copyright law in 1710, establishing the radical idea that authors — not just printers — deserved control over their work. And in 1912, the RMS Titanic departed Southampton on its maiden and only voyage, carrying over 1,500 souls who would never see land again.
The day carries a creative spirit, too. Johann Sebastian Bach led the premiere of his Easter cantata Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen in Leipzig in 1724, while in 1970 Paul McCartney publicly announced his departure from The Beatles, effectively closing the book on the most influential band in rock history. Construction workers in Shandong made an astonishing literary discovery in 1972: ancient bamboo slips bearing Sun Tzu's Art of War alongside a long-lost military treatise by Sun Bin, texts that had been buried for two millennia.
Internationally, Siblings Day encourages people to honor the brothers and sisters in their lives — a quietly powerful observance that resonates across cultures. Meanwhile, the ASPCA, founded on this day in 1866 by Henry Bergh, reminds us that compassion extends to animals as well. And for those who gaze at the stars, it's worth remembering that on this date in 837, Halley's Comet passed closer to Earth than at any other point in recorded human history — a celestial visit our ancestors surely never forgot.
Holidays & Observances on April 10
- Day of the Builder (Azerbaijan)
- Feast of the Third Day of the Writing of the Book of the Law (Thelema)
- Siblings Day (International observance)
Fun & National Days on April 10
- National Hug Your Dog Day — Wrap your arms around your pup and enjoy the tail wags; they'll never complain about it.
- Encourage a Young Writer Day — Hand a kid a blank notebook and tell them their story matters — because it absolutely does.
- Golfer's Day — Hit the links or the mini-golf course; either way, try not to take yourself too seriously.
- National Cinnamon Crescent Day — Bake or buy a warm cinnamon crescent and savor the spiraled sweetness with your morning coffee.
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Day
- Day of (No) Silence
- Global Work From Home Day
- National Dive Bar Day
- National Farm Animals Day
- Poet in a Cupcake Day
On This Day in History
- 837 — Halley's Comet made its closest recorded approach to Earth, passing just 3.2 million miles away — a proximity unequalled before or since in human history.
- 1407 — Deshin Shekpa, the fifth Karmapa Lama, arrived at Nanjing where the Ming dynasty emperor bestowed upon him the title Great Treasure Prince of Dharma.
- 1545 — The city of Potosí was founded in present-day Bolivia after enormous silver deposits were discovered nearby, fueling Spanish colonial wealth for generations.
- 1606 — King James I of England granted a royal charter to the Virginia Company of London, authorizing colonial settlement in North America.
- 1710 — The Statute of Anne took effect in Great Britain, becoming the world's first legislation to regulate copyright and protect authors' rights.
- 1724 — Johann Sebastian Bach conducted the first performance of his Easter cantata Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen, his inaugural Easter work as Leipzig's cantor.
- 1815 — Mount Tambora in Indonesia began a massive three-month eruption that ultimately killed roughly 71,000 people and triggered global climate disruptions for two years.
- 1866 — Henry Bergh established the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in New York City, pioneering organized animal welfare in the United States.
- 1912 — The RMS Titanic departed Southampton on its maiden voyage, carrying passengers and crew toward a fate that would captivate the world for over a century.
- 1970 — Paul McCartney publicly announced he was leaving The Beatles, citing personal and professional reasons, effectively ending the legendary band.
- 1972 — Construction workers in Shandong, China, unearthed tombs containing bamboo slips bearing Sun Tzu's Art of War and a long-lost military treatise by Sun Bin.
- 1998 — The Good Friday Agreement was signed in Northern Ireland, marking a landmark step toward ending decades of sectarian conflict known as the Troubles.
Famous Birthdays on April 10
- 1583 — Hugo Grotius, Dutch philosopher and jurist widely regarded as the father of international law for his foundational writings on natural rights and war.
- 1829 — William Booth, English minister who founded The Salvation Army in 1865, dedicating his life to serving the poor and marginalized of Victorian society.
- 1847 — Joseph Pulitzer, Hungarian-American newspaper publisher who revolutionized journalism and lent his name to the most prestigious awards in American letters and reporting.
- 1880 — Frances Perkins, American sociologist and politician who became the first woman to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet, championing labor reforms as Secretary of Labor.
- 1887 — Bernardo Houssay, Argentinian physiologist whose research on the pituitary gland's role in diabetes earned him the Nobel Prize in 1947, advancing Latin American science.
- 1929 — Max von Sydow, Swedish-French actor whose commanding presence graced Bergman classics and blockbusters alike, from The Seventh Seal to Star Wars.
- 1932 — Omar Sharif, Egyptian actor who captivated global audiences in Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago, becoming one of cinema's most recognizable leading men.
- 1936 — John Madden, American football coach turned legendary sportscaster whose name became synonymous with the sport and a beloved video game franchise.