What Happened on August 10?
August 10 is National S'mores Day — gooey chocolate, marshmallow, and graham crackers! The same date Congress founded the Smithsonian in 1846, Magellan set sail in 1519, and Sweden's warship Vasa sank in 1628.
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1519 — Magellan's fleet departs Spain to sail around the world
On August 10, 1519, Ferdinand Magellan's five ships left Seville, beginning the first expedition to circumnavigate Earth. Read the full story →
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1628 — The Swedish warship Vasa sinks on its maiden voyage
On August 10, 1628, the mighty warship Vasa sailed about 1,300 meters from Stockholm's dock — then tipped and sank in front of a shocked crowd. Read the full story →
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1793 — The Louvre opens as a public museum in Paris
On August 10, 1793, during the French Revolution, the former royal palace opened as a public art museum — today's Louvre. Read the full story →
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1846 — Congress establishes the Smithsonian Institution
On August 10, 1846, Congress created the Smithsonian Institution — a gift from British scientist James Smithson that became America's national museum complex. Read the full story →
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1966 — NASA launches Lunar Orbiter 1 to photograph the Moon
On August 10, 1966, NASA launched Lunar Orbiter 1, which soon sent back the first photo of Earth taken from lunar orbit. Read the full story →
Famous birthdays
Herbert Hoover (1874–1964) · Antonio Banderas (1960) · Suzanne Collins (1962) · Rosanna Arquette (1959)
Days & observances
National S'mores Day · National Lazy Day · World Lion Day · Smithsonian Institution Anniversary