Every day in history has its own set of stories, extending well beyond what happens in that one day. It may be days remembered for their political decisions and their revolutionary findings, while there may be days that mark important events in the realm of culture, a new sport, and then there may be people whose contributions cannot be measured. It is a great way to understand the present, as it proves that history is not a completed book, as it continues to shape every day of the present. Every day in history has a glimpse into its humanity, packed with successes, challenges, and the spirit of creativity. Here lie the most prominent events that make this day so important in history.Reviewing these historical events enables us to appreciate how the actions and ideas of the past have shaped the present and continue to set the stage for the future.Let’s explore the most significant things that make 10th January worth remembering.
Historical events that happened on 10th January
1863 – The world’s first underground train service started in LondonThe Metropolitan Railway opened, marking the world’s first underground passenger railway in London, which ran steam-hauled trains between Paddington and Farringdon Street to alleviate city traffic. However, the steam initially created smoky tunnels, leading to calls for electric trains later.1954 – The world’s first British-built jet plane, Comet, crashed in the Mediterranean, killing all 35 people on board.The BOAC Comet G-ALYP crashed into the Mediterranean Sea after an explosive decompression. All 35 people on board died. This crash was a major disaster that showed structural flaws (specifically metal fatigue around square windows) in the world’s first jet airliner, leading to major safety redesigns in aviation. 2006 – Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared 10 January as World Hindi DayIn 2006, Dr Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India, declared January 10th to be World Hindi Day (Vishwa Hindi Diwas). This was done to celebrate the inaugural World Hindi Conference, which took place on that date in Nagpur in 1975 and was opened by Indira Gandhi. The goal of this yearly event is to create awareness of Hindi as a global language and celebrate it.
On this day in history: Key events of 10th January
Birth anniversary
10th January in history is celebrated as the birth anniversary of the following personalities:Gurdial Singh (1933–2016)Was a famous Punjabi novelist and writer. He won the Jnanpith Award in 1999 and the Padma Shri in 1998 for his realistic representation of the poor people in rural Punjab. His important books, such as Marhi Da Deeva (The Last Flicker) and Anhe Ghore Da Daan (Alms for a Blind Horse), were translated into many languages and made into award-winning films. These works brought Punjabi literature to a wider audience and showed the problems of the working class. George Foreman (10 January 1949 – 2025)He was a boxer and heavyweight champion who later became a successful businessman. He is best known for the George Foreman Grill.Hrithik Roshan (10 January 1974)An Indian actor who works in Hindi films is noted for his dance skills and has played a wide range of roles. He is one of India’s highest-paid actors and has received many honours, including six Filmfare honours, four for Best Actor, and one each for Best Debut and Best Actor (Critics). Starting in 2012, he made the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list multiple times based on how much money he made and how popular he was.
Death anniversary
10th January in history is observed as the death anniversary of the following personalities:Sampurnanand (1 January 1889 – 10 January 1969)Was a well-known liberation fighter and politician who served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Governor of Rajasthan. He was an accomplished and daring politician, as well as a gifted writer and teacher. He possessed a thorough understanding of history, mythology, philosophy, politics, and sociology. He was also quite interested in spiritual matters. He was a socialist, and in 1934, he collaborated with Acharya Narendra Dev to form the ‘Samajwadi Party’ within the Congress.Fearless Nadia (8 January 1908 – 10 January 1996)One of the most prominent actors in Indian cinema. Not only in Hindi, but in the history of Indian cinema in general, there has never been any lady with such a daring, brave, Tarzan, or Robinhood look. Nadia’s vivacious performance as a courageous actress in Indian films in the 1930s and 1940s shattered many traditional Indian social ideas. Nadia was a major star during her time. She produced numerous successful films on her own but did not receive the recognition she deserved.
