December 10: What Happened on This Day in History
December 10th marks the 344th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 345th in case of leap years). There are 21 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on December 10th in history, famous birthdays on December 10th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to December 10.

What happened on December 10?
Here's what happened on December 10th in history:
- 2021: A catastrophic and widespread tornado outbreak devastated the Central, Midwestern, and Southern United States, resulting in 89 fatalities. Kentucky bore the brunt of the disaster, with a single tornado causing 57 deaths and hundreds of injuries, making it one of the most destructive tornado events in recent U.S. history.
- 2008: The New York Yankees signed starting pitcher CC Sabathia to a groundbreaking seven-year, $161-million contract, which was the largest ever for a free-agent pitcher at the time.
- 2002: The High Court of Australia delivered a significant judgment in the Gutnick v Dow Jones case, which was a pivotal moment in establishing legal precedents for online defamation and jurisdictional issues in digital publishing.
- 2000: Herbert Kroemer was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his groundbreaking work in semiconductor technology. His research significantly advanced the development of fast transistors, laser diodes, and integrated circuits while working at RCA Laboratories and Varian Associates, contributing to major technological innovations in electronics.
- 1994: Alexander Wilson, a notable Canadian athlete who played for Notre Dame, passed away. Born in 1905, he was remembered for his contributions to sports.
- 1990: Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-35 mission) successfully landed, concluding a scientific research mission in space.
- 1985: The United States Congress passed a significant legislative measure aimed at balancing the federal budget, reflecting ongoing efforts to manage national fiscal policy and reduce government spending during the mid-1980s.
- 1981: The United Nations General Assembly approves a landmark proposal by Pakistan to establish a nuclear-free zone in South Asia, aiming to reduce regional tensions and prevent nuclear proliferation.
- 1977: On December 10, 1977, the Soyuz 26 spacecraft successfully launched and transported two Soviet cosmonauts to the Salyut 6 space station, marking an important milestone in Soviet space exploration and long-duration space missions.
- 1975: Professional wrestler Terry Funk defeats Jack Brisco in Miami Beach, Florida, capturing the prestigious National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) World Heavyweight Championship, a significant moment in professional wrestling history.

What famous birthdays are on December 10?
On December 10th there are the following famous birthdays:
- Kenneth Branagh (1960)
Renowned British actor, director, and filmmaker known for his Shakespearean adaptations and critically acclaimed performances in film and...
- Michael Clarke Duncan (1957)
Renowned American actor best known for his Oscar-nominated role in 'The Green Mile', famous for his imposing physique and powerful...
- Dan Blocker (1929)
Famous American actor best known for playing Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright in the iconic Western television series Bonanza, which ran from 1959 to...
- Buck Henry (1930)
Buck Henry was an acclaimed American actor, screenwriter, and comedian known for his work on Saturday Night Live and films like The...
- Teyana Taylor (1990)
Multi-talented American artist known for her work in music, dance, and acting, with significant influence in R&B and hip-hop scenes.
- Nia Peeples (1961)
American actress, singer, and dancer known for her roles in 'Walker, Texas Ranger' and the TV series 'Fame'.
- Emmanuelle Chriqui (1977)
Canadian actress known for her roles in television series like 'Entourage' and films such as 'You Don't Mess with the Zohan'.
- Fionnula Flanagan (1941)
Acclaimed Irish actress known for her role in the television miniseries 'Rich Man, Poor Man'.
- Una Merkel (1903)
American film actress known for her comedic roles in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s, particularly in movies like '42nd Street' and...
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide

Who died on December 10?
On December 10th the following celebrities died:
- Jascha Heifetz (1987)
Jascha Heifetz was a legendary Lithuanian-American violinist considered one of the greatest classical musicians of the 20th century.
- Ashok Kumar (2001)
Legendary Indian actor, singer, and producer who was a pioneering figure in Bollywood's golden era, known for his versatile performances...
- Richard Pryor (2005)
Groundbreaking African American comedian and actor who revolutionized stand-up comedy with his raw, unfiltered social commentary and...
- Michael Nesmith (2021)
American musician and founding member of the iconic pop-rock band 'The Monkees', created as a TV show mimicking the Beatles' style.
- Thomas Merton (1968)
Thomas Merton was a prominent Trappist monk, writer, poet, and social critic who significantly influenced 20th-century spiritual and...
- Ann Dvorak (1979)
Ann Dvorak was a prominent American actress of the 1930s, known for her roles in classic films like 'Scarface', 'G Men', and 'A Life of Her...
- Barbara Windsor (2020)
Iconic British actress and comedian famous for her roles in the 'Carry On' film series and her distinctive blonde beehive hairstyle.
- Otis Redding (1967)
Legendary soul singer who tragically died in a plane crash at 26, leaving behind the iconic posthumous hit 'Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay'.
- Henri Vidal (1959)
French film actor who made his debut with Edith Piaf in Montmartre-sur-Seine (1941) and appeared in 36 films between 1941-1959.
- Ian MacNaughton (2002)
Scottish television producer and director best known for his work with comedy groups, particularly Monty Python's Flying Circus.

What day of the year is December 10?
December 10th marks the 344th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 345th in case of leap years).
There are 21 days remaining until the end of the year.
December 10th is the 10th day of the month of December.
What day of the week is December 10?
On December 10th, 2025 the day of the week is Wednesday.
December | 2025 | |||||
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Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
29 | 30 | 31 |

What zodiac sign is associated with the day December 10?
The zodiac sign associated with December 10th is Sagittarius according to the Western Zodiac.
