This Day In History, August 10th
Five Historical Events That Happened on August 10th
610 CE: According to Islamic belief, the Prophet Muhammad got his first revelation from Allah through the Angel Gabriel while meditating in a cave on Mount Hira on August 10th, 610 CE. This event commemorates the start of the Quran's revelation.
The Aztec Empire welcomed Spanish adventurer Hernán Cortés and his warriors into their capital city, Tenochtitlan, thinking them to be gods. This finally led to the Aztec Empire's demise and Spain's occupation of Mexico.
During the French Revolution, members of the National Convention kidnapped and imprisoned King Louis XVI of France. This signaled the end of the French monarchy and prepared the way for the foundation of the First French Republic.
The Smithsonian Institution is founded in Washington, D.C., in 1846, using finances donated by British scientist James Smithson. With 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoo, and other research buildings, it is currently the world's biggest museum and research complex.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was founded in 1949 when twelve founding member countries signed the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C. NATO is a political and military alliance that seeks to enhance North Atlantic stability and security.
610 CE: According to Islamic tradition, on August 10th, 610 CE, the Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation from Allah through the Angel Gabriel while meditating in a cave on Mount Hira. This event marks the beginning of the revelation of the Quran.
This event, known as the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr), is significant in Islamic history because it symbolizes the start of the Prophet Muhammad's mission as Islam's final prophet. The revelation he received throughout a 23-year period, which contains the teachings of the Quran, is the foundation of the Islamic religion. During the last 10 nights of Ramadan, Muslims throughout the world celebrate the Night of Power, which is thought to be a moment of immense spiritual importance and benefits.
1519: The Aztec Empire welcomed Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and his men into Tenochtitlan, their capital city, believing they were gods. This eventually led to the downfall of the Aztec Empire and the colonization of Mexico by Spain.
In 1519, Hernán Cortés, a Spanish conqueror, landed with a small army in the Aztec Empire and was originally welcomed by Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II, who believed Cortés was the deity Quetzalcoatl coming as predicted. However, the Spanish-Aztec relationship quickly soured, and Cortés and his men eventually captured Moctezuma. The Aztecs revolted, resulting in a lengthy and horrific conflict that culminated in the fall of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital city, in 1521. The Spanish conquest of the Aztecs resulted in the colonization of Mexico and the expansion of Spanish influence throughout Central and South America.
1792: During the French Revolution, King Louis XVI of France was taken into custody by members of the National Convention and imprisoned. This marked the beginning of the end for the French monarchy and paved the way for the establishment of the First French Republic.
During the French Revolution, on August 10, 1792, the National Convention, France's ruling body at the time, ordered the arrest of King Louis XVI and his family. The king was charged with high treason, and his arrest represented a watershed moment in the revolution, demonstrating that the French people no longer backed the monarchy. On January 21, 1793, the monarch was tried, found guilty, and killed by guillotine. The monarchy's demise prepared the ground for the formation of the First French Republic, which lasted until 1804.
1846: The Smithsonian Institution was established in Washington D.C. with funds provided by British scientist James Smithson. It is now the world's largest museum and research complex, comprising 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoo, and numerous research facilities.
On August 10, 1846, the Smithsonian Institution was founded with monies provided by the British scientist James Smithson, who gave his whole fortune to the United States to build "an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." Since then, the Smithsonian Institution has expanded to become the world's largest museum and research complex, with 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoo, and numerous research facilities such as the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. The Smithsonian Institution's holdings comprise about 155 million artifacts, artworks, and specimens, making it an important research and educational resource.
1949: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington D.C. by twelve founding member countries. NATO is a political and military alliance that aims to promote stability and security in the North Atlantic area.
The North Atlantic Treaty was signed in Washington D.C. on April 4, 1949, by twelve founding member countries, including the United States, Canada, and many European states. The pact formed the North Atlantic pact Organization (NATO), a political and military alliance aimed at promoting North Atlantic stability and security. During the Cold War, NATO's principal mission was to offer collective defense against potential Soviet assault. NATO has continued to play an important role in supporting peace and security in Europe and beyond since the Cold War's conclusion, and its membership has grown to encompass 30 nations.