What Happened on October 10?

October 10 is National Cake Decorating Day — a sweet celebration of frosting art — on the same date the U.S. Naval Academy opened in 1845, Triton was discovered in 1846, and the Outer Space Treaty took effect in 1967.

• 1845 — The United States Naval Academy opens in Annapolis

  On October 10, 1845, the Naval School — later the U.S. Naval Academy — opened in Annapolis, Maryland. Read the full story →

• 1846 — William Lassell discovers Neptune's moon Triton

  On October 10, 1846, English astronomer William Lassell spotted Triton — Neptune's largest moon — only weeks after Neptune itself was found. Read the full story →

• 1935 — George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess premieres

  On October 10, 1935, Porgy and Bess opened in New York — blending jazz, blues, and opera in a landmark American work. Read the full story →

• 1957 — Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged is published

  On October 10, 1957, Ayn Rand published Atlas Shrugged — a long novel about inventors, industry, and individualism. Read the full story →

• 1967 — The Outer Space Treaty enters into force

  On October 10, 1967, the Outer Space Treaty took effect — setting basic rules for peaceful exploration beyond Earth. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Thelonious Monk (1917–1982) · Helen Hayes (1900–1993) · Brett Favre (1969) · David Lee Roth (1954)

Days & observances

National Cake Decorating Day · World Mental Health Day · National Angel Food Cake Day · National Handbag Day