What Happened on April 10?

April 10 is National Siblings Day — a day to celebrate brothers and sisters — on the same date the RMS Titanic left Southampton on its maiden voyage, Henry Bergh founded the ASPCA, and President Washington signed America's first patent law.

• 1790 — President Washington signs the first U.S. Patent Act

  George Washington signed a law creating America's patent system — promising inventors exclusive rights to their creations for a limited time in exchange for sharing how they worked. Read the full story →

• 1815 — Mount Tambora erupts in Indonesia — one of history's largest volcanic explosions

  The volcano on Sumbawa Island erupted with colossal force, killing tens of thousands and pumping so much ash into the sky that 1816 became known as the 'Year Without a Summer.' Read the full story →

• 1866 — Henry Bergh founds the ASPCA in New York City

  Wealthy diplomat Henry Bergh incorporated the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals — the first animal welfare organization in the United States. Read the full story →

• 1912 — The RMS Titanic sets sail on its maiden voyage from Southampton

  The world's largest ship at the time departed England carrying more than 2,200 passengers and crew — beginning a voyage that would end in tragedy four days later. Read the full story →

• 1925 — F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is published

  Scribner's released Fitzgerald's novel about Jay Gatsby and the Jazz Age — a book that sold modestly at first but later became one of America's most studied classics. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744–1829) · Joseph Pulitzer (1847–1911) · Orlando Bloom (1977) · Haley Joel Osment (1988)

Days & observances

National Siblings Day · National Farm Animals Day · National Cinnamon Roll Day · International Girls in ICT Day