On this day in history: 10 November

1202: Siege of Zara During the Fourth Crusade

On November 10, 1202, the Fourth Crusade began the Siege of Zara (now Zadar, Croatia), marking the first time a Crusader army attacked a Christian city. This controversial siege highlighted the mixed motives and complex politics of the Crusades.

“A kingdom divided within itself cannot stand. To bring war to one’s brethren is to betray the cause in which we are united.”
~ Pope Innocent III

1619: René Descartes Has His “Vision of a New Science”

On the night of November 10, 1619, René Descartes experienced a series of dreams that inspired him to develop his philosophical ideas on reason and existence, leading to the famous phrase, “I think, therefore I am.”

“Cogito, ergo sum. This truth alone is indubitable, the foundation upon which all other truths must rest.”
~ René Descartes

1775: U.S. Marine Corps Established

On November 10, 1775, the United States Marine Corps was established by the Continental Congress to serve as a landing force for the Navy. Since then, the Marines have been integral to U.S. military operations.

“Once a Marine, always a Marine. For the honor, courage, and commitment it takes to earn the title lives on forever.”
~ U.S. Marine Corps motto

1808: Osage Treaty Signed with the United States

On November 10, 1808, the Osage Nation signed a treaty with the United States, ceding land in Missouri and Arkansas in exchange for protection and goods. This treaty was one of several that dramatically reduced Osage territory over time.

“Our lands are taken not with guns but with words on paper, yet the loss is no less. We are asked to move as if the land is not part of our soul.”
~ Osage elder

1871: Stanley Locates Livingstone in Africa

On November 10, 1871, Welsh-American journalist Henry Morton Stanley found Dr. David Livingstone near Lake Tanganyika after years of his absence. The meeting gave rise to the legendary greeting, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”

“The journey has been long and treacherous, yet this moment proves that perseverance can overcome even the greatest of unknowns.”
~ Henry Morton Stanley

1898: Wilmington Insurrection in North Carolina

On November 10, 1898, white supremacists staged a violent coup in Wilmington, North Carolina, overthrowing the elected government and attacking Black citizens. Known as the Wilmington Massacre, it remains the only successful coup in U.S. history.

“This day marks a dark chapter, a brutal reminder that freedom, once won, must still be fiercely protected.”
~ W.E.B. Du Bois

1928: Hirohito Crowned Emperor of Japan

On November 10, 1928, Hirohito was formally crowned Emperor of Japan. His reign spanned World War II and Japan’s post-war transformation, making him one of Japan’s most consequential rulers.

“Our future depends on the strength and unity of our people, for our nation must rise anew from the ashes of the past.”
~ Emperor Hirohito

1951: Direct-Dial Long-Distance Telephone Service Introduced

On November 10, 1951, AT&T introduced direct-dial long-distance telephone service, allowing customers to place long-distance calls without an operator. This innovation marked a significant advancement in telecommunications.

“One day, distance will be no obstacle to human connection, and voices will travel as swiftly as thought itself.”
~ Theodore Newton Vail, former AT&T president

1975: Sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald

On November 10, 1975, the American freighter SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior during a severe storm, killing all 29 crew members on board. This tragedy became one of the most infamous shipwrecks on the Great Lakes.

“The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead, and today we remember the lives lost to the mighty waters of Superior.”
~ Gordon Lightfoot, from The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

1983: Bill Gates Announces Microsoft Windows

On November 10, 1983, Bill Gates and Microsoft announced the development of Windows, a graphical operating system that introduced a new way to interact with personal computers. This set the stage for Windows’ dominance in the tech industry.

“We envision a future where computing is accessible to all, where the power of technology is at every person’s fingertips, simplifying and empowering daily life.”
~ Bill Gates