Today in history, 10 August, connects political upheaval, the creation of major public institutions, treaties that redrew borders, space exploration and the opening phase of one of democratic South Africa’s most painful labour conflicts. The events below are presented chronologically, with South African and African relevance foregrounded where the evidence supports it.
1675 – Greenwich Observatory’s foundation stone is laid
John Flamsteed, Britain’s first Astronomer Royal, laid the foundation stone of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich. The institution was created to improve astronomical tables and help solve the practical navigation problem of determining longitude at sea. Greenwich later became central to global timekeeping and cartography, systems that shaped shipping, imperial administration and scientific exchange—including navigation around southern Africa.
1792 – The French monarchy is overthrown
Revolutionary forces attacked the Tuileries Palace in Paris, a decisive moment in the French Revolution. King Louis XVI was suspended, and the constitutional monarchy collapsed. The event accelerated the movement towards a republic and helped transform political ideas about citizenship, sovereignty and popular power far beyond France.
1821 – Missouri becomes the 24th US state
Missouri entered the United States under the political settlement known as the Missouri Compromise. The agreement attempted to balance slave and free states, but it postponed rather than resolved the conflict over slavery that would culminate in the American Civil War.
1846 – The Smithsonian Institution is established
US President James K. Polk signed the act establishing the Smithsonian Institution, funded by the bequest of British scientist James Smithson. It grew into one of the world’s largest museum, education and research complexes. Its founding illustrates how public collections can connect scientific inquiry, cultural memory and education.
1913 – The Treaty of Bucharest ends the Second Balkan War
Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro and Greece signed the Treaty of Bucharest. It ended the Second Balkan War and redistributed territory, but the settlement left deep grievances in a region already under intense nationalist pressure one year before the First World War.
1920 – The Treaty of Sèvres is signed
The defeated Ottoman government signed the Treaty of Sèvres with the Allied powers after the First World War. The treaty proposed a far-reaching partition of Ottoman territory but was rejected by the Turkish nationalist movement. It was later superseded by the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923.
1945 – Japan signals conditional acceptance of surrender terms
Japan communicated that it was prepared to accept the Allies’ Potsdam terms provided the emperor’s sovereign position was preserved. The exchange formed part of the final diplomatic sequence before Japan announced its surrender, ending the Second World War.
1966 – Lunar Orbiter 1 begins its journey to the Moon
NASA launched Lunar Orbiter 1 to photograph possible landing sites and improve knowledge of the Moon’s surface. It became the first US spacecraft to orbit the Moon, photographed all nine primary Apollo landing-site candidates assigned to it and returned the first photograph of Earth taken from the vicinity of the Moon. The mission demonstrated how robotic reconnaissance reduced risk before crewed exploration.
1990 – Magellan arrives at Venus
NASA’s Magellan spacecraft entered orbit around Venus after a 15-month journey. Using radar to see through the planet’s dense clouds, Magellan produced detailed maps that revealed volcanic and tectonic features across much of the surface.
This Day in South African History
2012 – The Marikana strike begins
Rock-drill operators at Lonmin’s Marikana platinum mine began an unprotected strike over wages. The dispute escalated over the following days amid failed negotiations, violence and deaths. On 16 August, police shot and killed 34 mineworkers. The massacre became a defining test of labour relations, policing, corporate accountability and post-apartheid governance.
Remembering 10 August as the beginning of the strike helps place the massacre in a longer sequence rather than treating the police shooting as an isolated moment. The days before 16 August included workplace grievances, union rivalry, attempts to reach management and growing violence.
Born on This Day
1874 – Herbert Hoover
The future 31st president of the United States was born in Iowa. Before entering the White House, Hoover worked as a mining engineer and led large humanitarian relief efforts. His presidency became closely associated with the onset of the Great Depression.
1960 – Antonio Banderas
The Spanish actor and director was born in Málaga. His career moved from Spanish cinema, including work with Pedro Almodóvar, to major international films and theatre.
Died on This Day
2008 – Isaac Hayes
The American singer, songwriter, producer and actor died aged 65. His work at Stax Records and the soundtrack for Shaft helped shape soul music and expanded the creative possibilities available to Black composers and performers in popular cinema.
Why 10 August matters
The date brings together the building of institutions and the costs of unresolved conflict. The Smithsonian and Magellan mission represent knowledge made public through sustained investment. The treaties of 1913 and 1920 show how agreements can end fighting without settling underlying disputes. Marikana reminds South Africans that labour demands, institutional failures and state power must be examined before a crisis reaches its most violent point.