Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
May 10 Sunday, May 10, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on May 10 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
6
Holidays
US history 157 years ago
The First transcontinental railroad, linking the eastern and western United States, is completed at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory with the golden spike.
The first transcontinental railroad is completed at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory, with the driving of the golden spike, linking the eastern and western United States.
History
What happened on May 10
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -28Science
A sunspot is observed by Han dynasty astronomers during the reign of Emperor Cheng of Han, one of the earliest dated sunspot observations in China.
Han dynasty astronomers observe a sunspot, marking one of the earliest recorded solar phenomena in Chinese history.
- 946Royalty
Alberic II of Spoleto arranges the election of pope Agapetus II following the death of Pope Marinus II.
Alberic II of Spoleto, the de facto ruler of Rome, orchestrates the election of Pope Agapetus II following the death of Pope Marinus II.
- 1291UK history
Scottish nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England pending the selection of a king.
Scottish nobles acknowledge Edward I of England's authority until a new king is chosen.
- 1294World history
Temür, Khagan of the Mongols, is enthroned as Emperor of the Yuan dynasty.
Temür is enthroned as the Khagan of the Mongols and Emperor of the Yuan dynasty.
- 1497Science
Amerigo Vespucci allegedly leaves Cádiz for his first voyage to the New World.
Amerigo Vespucci sets sail from Cádiz on a voyage that will lead him to explore parts of the New World.
- 1503World history
Christopher Columbus visits the Cayman Islands and names them Las Tortugas after the numerous turtles there.
Christopher Columbus names the Cayman Islands Las Tortugas due to the abundance of turtles he encounters.
- 1534Canadian history
Jacques Cartier visits Newfoundland.
Jacques Cartier explores Newfoundland, claiming it for France.
- 1688Royalty
King Narai nominates Phetracha as regent, leading to the revolution of 1688 in which Phetracha becomes king of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
King Narai appoints Phetracha as regent, setting the stage for Phetracha's eventual coup and ascension to the throne.
- 1713War
Great Northern War: The Russian Navy led by Admiral Fyodor Apraksin land both at Katajanokka and Hietalahti during the Battle of Helsinki.
Admiral Fyodor Apraksin leads the Russian Navy to victory in the Battle of Helsinki, landing forces at Katajanokka and Hietalahti.
- 1775US history
American Revolutionary War: A small Colonial militia led by Ethan Allen and Colonel Benedict Arnold captures Fort Ticonderoga.
Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold lead a small colonial militia in a surprise dawn raid to capture Fort Ticonderoga from the British.
- 1869US history
The First transcontinental railroad, linking the eastern and western United States, is completed at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory with the golden spike.
The first transcontinental railroad is completed at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory, with the driving of the golden spike, linking the eastern and western United States.
- 1922US history
The United States annexes the Kingman Reef.
The United States annexes Kingman Reef, a coral reef in the Pacific Ocean.
Born today
Famous birthdays on May 10
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 84
Jim Calhoun
American basketball player and coach
Jim Calhoun, who coached the University of Connecticut men's basketball team to three NCAA national championships and seventeen Big East titles, turns 84 today.
Born
1942
Turns 84
today
Augustin-Jean Fresnel
French physicist and engineer
1788 – 1827
Victoria Rowell
American actress
b. 1959 · 67
Dean Heller
American lawyer and politician, United States Senator from Nevada
b. 1960 · 66
Lisa Nowak
American commander and astronaut
b. 1963 · 63
John Scalzi
American author and blogger
b. 1969 · 57
Ryan Getzlaf
Canadian ice hockey player
b. 1985 · 41
Music
The number one songs on May 10
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Rein Me In"— Sam Fender and Olivia Dean
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Espresso"— Sabrina Carpenter
- 2023"Miracle"— Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding
- 2022"As It Was"— Harry Styles
- 2021"Montero (Call Me by Your Name)"— Lil Nas X
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport May 10, 1994
Michael Jordan scores 55 points in his fifth NBA game after returning from retirement
Jordan, who had retired in 1993 to pursue baseball, returned to the Chicago Bulls in March 1994. His 55-point performance against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden demonstrated he had lost none of his dominance.
Read the story
🔬 Science May 10, 2024
Start of the May 2024 solar storms, the most powerful set of geomagnetic storms since the 2003 Halloween solar storms.
Powerful solar storms begin, causing the strongest geomagnetic disturbances since those in 2003.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Children's Day (Maldives)
International
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honour of children, whose date of observance varies by country
Confederate Memorial Day (North Carolina and South Carolina)
International
Confederate Memorial Day is a holiday observed in several Southern U
Constitution Day (Micronesia)
International
Constitution Day is a holiday to honour the constitution of a country
Earliest possible day on which Pentecost can fall, while June 13 is the latest; celebrated 50 days after Easter Day. (Christianity)
International
Pentecost is a Christian holiday that takes place on the 49th day after Easter
Golden Spike Day (Promontory, Utah)
International
The golden spike is the ceremonial 17
Mother's Day (Guatemala, and Mexico)
International
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society
❝
Not one more day. Not one more day where someone says you can't do it.
— Jim Calhoun · born May 10, 1942