July 10: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

Turkish President Recep Erdogan decreed that Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia should be reopened as a mosque.

The Hagia Sophia, originally built in the sixth century as a cathedral and later used as a mosque, has a long and tumultuous history. Until 2020, it had spent the previous 80 years as a museum showcasing its Christian and Islamic past.

The British newspaper, News of the World, published its last-ever edition following a phone-hacking scandal.

After 168 years in print, the newspaper came to an end after the owner Rupert Murdoch received a high amount of criticism after his staff was accused of phone hacking and police bribing to obtain the newspapers' stories.

Erden Eruç began the world’s first successful solo human-powered circumnavigation of the world.

A chemical factory in Seveso, near Milan, Italy, exploded, covering surrounding areas in dioxin.

The chemical factory produced cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and when a chemical reactor exploded, a cloud of dioxin spread across neighboring towns, causing terrible health implications for residents. If exposed to high levels of dioxin, you can increase your risk of developing cancer, you can experience developmental problems, and it can affect your immune system.

The Beatles’ album “VI” topped the Billboard charts at number one and stayed there for six weeks.

Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested for a demonstration he was involved in during December 1961.

Nazi forces moved on Britain for the first time after attacking shipping containers in the English Channel.

Aviator Howard Hughes started his around-the-world flight.

The journey began and ended at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, New York, and took him 91 hours to complete.

West Virginia had its hottest day on record at a sweltering 112°F (44°C).

The Scopes Monkey Trial took place in Dayton, Tennessee.

The trial occurred due to the fact that science teacher John T. Scopes taught evolution in his classroom. At the time, this violated the Butler Act, a law that prohibited public school teachers from denying the Biblical account of mankind's origin.

Wyoming became the 44th state to join the United States of America.

Louis XVI of France declared war on Great Britain during the American Revolution.

Lady Jane Grey began her 9-day reign as the Queen of England, France, and Ireland.

After Edward VI died, his will stated that Lady Jane Grey should become queen. However, King Henry VIII's daughter Mary had countless supporters, despite her claim to the throne being labeled as illegitimate. The Privy Council of England changed sides and announced that Mary was the rightful heir to the throne. Mary was proclaimed queen on July 19, 1553.

The Battle of Dyrrhachium occurred.

The battle happened during Caesar's Civil War. The fight was between Julius Caesar and Gnaeus Pompey. Pompey was victorious on this day, and up to 6,000 lives were lost.