This Day In History, May 10th.

Five Historical Events That Happened on May 10th.

  • The Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia in 1775. The Continental Congress went on to form the Continental Army and designate George Washington as its commander-in-chief.

  • The First Transcontinental Railroad is completed in Promontory, Utah, in 1869. This was a watershed moment in American history since it connected the East and West Coasts of the country for the first time.

  • J. Edgar Hoover is appointed Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 1924. Hoover would occupy the position for the next 48 years, until his death in 1972.

  • Winston Churchill is elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1940. Churchill led Britain through some of its darkest hours during World War II and is largely recognized as one of the twentieth century's finest politicians.

  • Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa's first black president in 1994. Mandela had spent 27 years in jail for his fight to apartheid, and his victory heralded the end of South Africa's decades of racial segregation.

May 10th, 1775: The Second Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia. The Congress would go on to organize the Continental Army and appoint George Washington as its commander-in-chief.

The Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia from May 10, 1775, to March 1, 1781, and was composed of members from the Thirteen Colonies. The Congress was created in reaction to the onset of the American Revolution and played an important role in leading the colonies to independence from Great Britain.

During its first session, the Continental Congress founded the Continental Army, which would go on to face the British in the Revolutionary War. On June 15, 1775, George Washington, a Virginia delegate, was chosen commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. He would later lead the army to victory over the British in a number of crucial battles, including the Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Yorktown.

This Day In History, May 10th, 1869: The completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad in Promontory, Utah. This was a major milestone in American history, as it connected the East Coast and the West Coast of the United States for the first time.

The First Transcontinental Railroad was a 1,912-mile (3,077-kilometer) continuous railroad line that connected the east and west coasts of the United States. When the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railways connected at Promontory, Utah, on May 10, 1869, it was finished. This was a watershed moment in American history because it drastically decreased the time and expense of travel and transit between the East and West Coasts.

The railroad's construction was a tremendous engineering marvel that required the effort of thousands of people and the surmounting of several challenges, including steep terrain and hostile Native American tribes. The railroad's construction helped to open up the western United States to settlement and development, and it played a vital part in the country's economic expansion.

J. Edgar Hoover becomes the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Hoover would go on to hold the position for 48 years, until his death in 1972.

On May 10, 1924, J. Edgar Hoover was appointed head of the Bureau of Investigation (BOI), which was eventually renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). At the time, he was 29 years old, making him the youngest individual to occupy the office.

Hoover went on to serve as FBI Director for the next 48 years, until his death in 1972. During his tenure, he evolved the FBI into a highly effective and strong law enforcement organization noted for its crime-fighting activities and capacity to acquire intelligence on suspected criminals and organizations.

Hoover's presidency, however, was not without controversy. He was accused of misusing his influence and illegally spying on American individuals and political figures. His legacy is still a source of contention among historians and legal academics today.

Winston Churchill becomes the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Churchill led Britain through some of its darkest hours during World War II, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest statesmen of the 20th century.

Following the departure of Neville Chamberlain on May 10, 1940, Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Churchill's appointment occurred at a pivotal juncture in British history, when the country faced invasion by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Churchill is largely recognized as one of the twentieth century's finest politicians, and his leadership during World War II is seen as a watershed point in British history. He is remembered for his motivational lectures and his desire to combat the Nazi government even when the odds appeared overwhelming.

Britain played a critical part in the Allied triumph in World War II under Churchill's leadership. Churchill remained Prime Minister after the war until 1955, and he remained a key influence in British politics until his death in 1965.

Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as the first black president of South Africa. Mandela had spent 27 years in prison for his opposition to apartheid, and his election marked the end of decades of racial segregation in South Africa.

Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa's first black president on May 10, 1994, following the country's first multiracial democratic elections. Mandela had spent 27 years in jail for his opposition to apartheid, South Africa's racial segregation regime that had been in effect since 1948.

Mandela's election signaled the end of South Africa's decades of racial segregation and persecution. He worked relentlessly to foster peace and togetherness among the country's varied people, and he was instrumental in the country's democratic transition.

Mandela is largely recognized as one of the twentieth century's greatest leaders, and his legacy continues to inspire people worldwide to strive for justice and equality. He died in 2013 at the age of 95.

Previous
Previous

This Day In History, May 11th.

Next
Next

This Day In History, May 9th.