This Day In History : November 10

1968 United States

Launch of Zond 6, 2nd unmanned circumlunar & return flight

In 1968, the Soviet Union launched Zond 6, the second unmanned circumlunar and return flight. The mission was part of the Soviet lunar program, aimed at testing spacecraft systems and conducting scientific research. Zond 6 successfully flew around the Moon and returned to Earth, providing valuable data and photographs of the lunar surface. However, it encountered technical difficulties during re-entry, leading to the depressurization of its cabin.

Also on This Day in History November 10

Discover what happened on November 10 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, November 10
  • 1483 Martin Luther

    German monk and priest, leader of the Protestant Reformation

  • 1895 Jack Northrop

    American aircraft designer (Northrop Air)

  • 1793 Jared Kirtland

    American physician, naturalist and reformed penitentiaries

  • 1764 Andrés Manuel Del Rio

    Spanish-American mineralogist who discovered (1801) a new element - vanadium

  • 1919 Mikhail Kalashnikov

    Russian general and inventor of the AK-47

Deaths on This Day, November 10
  • 1994 William Higinbotham

    American physicist (member of team who developed first nuclear bomb), who invented the first video game, Tennis for Two

  • 1914 Nils Christofer Dunér

    Swedish astronomer who studied the rotational period of the Sun

  • 1852 Gideon Algernon Mantell

    British physician, geologist, and paleontologist, who discovered 4 of the 5 genera of dinosaurs known during his time

  • 1990 Mário Schenberg

    Brazilian physicist and electrical engineer

  • 2015 Gene Amdahl

    American computer scientist who designed the IBM mainframe

1775

The United States Marine Corps is founded in Philadelphia

The United States Marine Corps was founded in Philadelphia on November 10, 1775, by Captain Samuel Nicholas. This creation was authorized by the Continental Congress to serve as an infantry unit aboard naval vessels, primarily tasked with ship-to-ship fighting, providing shipboard security, and helping with landing forces. The Marine Corps has since evolved into a key branch of the U.S. military, known for its distinct role in expeditionary warfare and its proud traditions.
1983

U.S. student Fred Cohen presented to a security seminar the results of his test - the first documented virus, created as an experiment in computer security

In 1983, U.S. student Fred Cohen presented the results of his experiment at a security seminar, marking the first documented instance of a computer virus. Created as part of a computer security test, Cohen's virus demonstrated the potential risks and vulnerabilities in computer systems, paving the way for the development of cybersecurity measures.
1951

Dial coast-to-coast telephone service begins in the United States

In 1951, direct-dial, coast-to-coast telephone service began in North America. This innovation allowed users to dial long-distance calls directly without operator assistance, revolutionizing communication by making it faster, more convenient, and accessible.
2020

Word of the year is "Lockdown" according to Collins English Dictionary

In 2020, "Lockdown" was named Word of the Year by the Collins English Dictionary, reflecting the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The term highlighted the significant changes and challenges, including movement restrictions, business closures, and shifts to remote work and education, marking the unprecedented nature of the year.
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