THE DAY IN HISTORY · MAY 10
May 10 in history
What happened on May 10: 5 moments from the Maps of History atlases, in 1857, 1869, 1871, 1940 and 1994, each linked to the map that shows it.
— Meerut mutiny
10 May 1857 — A day after 85 troopers of the 3rd Light Cavalry were shackled on parade for refusing the new cartridges, their comrades broke open the jail, killed officers and civilians, and rode through the night for Delhi. A garrison mutiny had begun to look for a sovereign.
READ THIS MOMENT → · SEE IT ON THE INDIAN INDEPENDENCE & PARTITION MAP → · THE FULL STORY →
— First transcontinental railroad
10 May 1869 — The Central Pacific and Union Pacific meet in Utah, completing the first transcontinental railroad. Chinese workers — about 90 per cent of the Central Pacific’s workforce — built the western half.
READ THIS MOMENT → · SEE IT ON THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION MAP → · THE FULL STORY →
— Treaty of Frankfurt
10 May 1871 — France cedes Alsace and most of Lorraine and owes an indemnity of five billion francs, with German troops on its soil until it is paid. France pays early, by September 1873, but never accepts the loss of the provinces.
READ THIS MOMENT → · SEE IT ON THE WWI MAP → · THE FULL STORY →
Germany strikes west through the Low Countries — and, the same evening, Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister. One day, two hinges.
READ THIS MOMENT → · SEE IT ON THE WW2 MAP →
— Inauguration of Nelson Mandela
10 May 1994 — Nelson Mandela is sworn in at the Union Buildings as South Africa’s first democratically elected president, jets of the old regime dipping their wings overhead. The map of a free Africa is complete.
READ THIS MOMENT → · SEE IT ON THE DECOLONIZATION OF AFRICA MAP → · THE FULL STORY →
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