10 May in history
8 events that happened on 10 May, from 28 BCE to 1940.
✦ Anniversary of the day
28 BCE 2,053 years ago
Han astronomers record China's first precisely dated sunspot
During the reign of Emperor Cheng of Han, Chinese astronomers made the first precisely dated sunspot observation in China. The astronomer Gan De of the State of Qi had recognised sunspots as solar phenomena in the 4th century BCE.
1503 CE 523 years ago
Columbus sights the Cayman Islands
On his fourth voyage, Christopher Columbus sighted two small islands teeming with turtles, which he named Las Tortugas. They later became known as the Cayman Islands.
1773 CE 253 years ago
Parliament passes the Tea Act
The Act let the East India Company ship tea directly to America, undercutting smugglers while keeping the Townshend duty. Colonists saw it as a ploy to make them accept taxation, leading to the Boston Tea Party.
1775 CE 251 years ago
Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia
Delegates from the colonies gathered weeks after Lexington and Concord. The Congress created the Continental Army, appointed George Washington to command it and declared independence in 1776.
1863 CE 163 years ago
Stonewall Jackson dies of pneumonia
Eight days after being wounded by his own men at Chancellorsville, General Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson died. Lee said he had lost his right arm.
1940 CE 86 years ago
Churchill becomes Prime Minister as Germany attacks in the West
As German forces invaded the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, Neville Chamberlain resigned and Winston Churchill formed a coalition government to lead Britain's war.
Born on 10 May 5
Died on 10 May 4
Dates as the sources give them: in the Julian calendar before 1582, and in some countries for longer (Britain until 1752, Russia until 1918). Only people whose day of birth or death the records agree on are listed.