Caesar's Big Risk and London's First Tube!
Welcome to January 10th, a day where HUGE decisions were made! Imagine a general making a choice so big it started a civil war—that happened today! We also dive into the noisy, dark birth of the famous London Underground. Get ready for politics, powerful pamphlets, and the start of the world's oldest subway system!
On this day, Thomas Paine dropped a publishing bomb called *Common Sense*, making tons of regular people in America suddenly believe they should break up with England! It was like a massive viral post before the internet existed. Later that day, Londoners were brave enough to hop onto the *first ever* underground train—talk about a brave commute!
What Happened on This Day
Caesar Crosses the Rubicon River
In 49 BC, the famous Roman general Julius Caesar faced a massive choice. He was told he couldn't bring his army back to Rome! So, he bravely marched his troops across the Rubicon River, which was the legal boundary. This was basically saying, 'I'm starting a war!' The Latin phrase he reportedly said, *Alea iacta est*, means 'The die is cast'—meaning there's no turning back now!
Thomas Paine Publishes 'Common Sense'
Imagine writing a short book that suddenly convinces a whole country to demand a huge change! That's what Thomas Paine did when he published *Common Sense* on January 10, 1776. This pamphlet clearly explained why the American colonies should become totally independent from Great Britain. It was a massive bestseller and helped fuel the fire that became the American Revolution!
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London's First Underground Railway Opens!
Forget the cool subway trains you know—on this day in 1863, London opened the Metropolitan Railway, the very first underground train line in the whole world! It wasn't sleek and electric like today; it used loud, smoky steam trains running in tunnels. People were nervous but excited to travel below the busy streets. This was the beginning of 'The Tube'!
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Standard Oil is Officially Incorporated
Ever wonder how some huge companies start? John D. Rockefeller and his brother incorporated Standard Oil on January 10, 1870. They took the valuable new oil being discovered (like at Spindletop a bit later!) and decided to control how it was refined and sold. This company grew to be one of the biggest in history, showing how powerful big business could become!
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First Flying Boat Takes to the Sky
Planes that can take off AND land on water? That's a flying boat! On January 10, 1912, Glenn Curtiss flew his new design for the first time in Hammondsport, New York. It looked a bit like a plane with a giant boat hull underneath. This invention was a big step forward, proving that aircraft could travel over large bodies of water—perfect for exploring or future travel!
Learn moreFun Facts About January 10
- In 49 BC, crossing the Rubicon was basically like declaring war on your own government!
- Thomas Paine's *Common Sense* sold over 500,000 copies quickly—huge for that time!
- London's 'Tube' opened in 1863, making it the oldest subway system on Earth.
- The first flying boat was invented by Glenn Curtiss, an airplane pioneer!
A Look Back in Time
January 10th often marks moments of big transition. In 49 BC, it was the moment a powerful general decided to seize control, leading to the end of the Roman Republic. In 1776, it was the start of a battle of *ideas* that launched the American Revolution, showing the power of words. By 1863, while America was fighting a Civil War, the industrial world was moving forward with massive engineering feats like the London Underground, connecting cities in revolutionary new ways.
Born on This Day
Rod Stewart
This legendary singer is famous for his rock and pop hits and his spiky, cool hairstyle! He’s sold millions of records and his voice is instantly recognizable worldwide.
George Foreman
An amazing heavyweight boxing champion who won Olympic gold and later became an even more famous businessman! He created a super popular indoor grill named after himself.
Donald Knuth
A brilliant computer scientist and mathematician. He wrote a massive, famous series of books about how computers actually work, which many see as the foundation of modern computer science!
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Jim Croce
A wonderful American singer-songwriter known for his storytelling songs like 'Bad, Bad Leroy Brown.' His music was gentle and thoughtful, making him a big star in the early 1970s.