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Good Morning! It’s Friday, January 10 , 2025.  I am Dom Einhorn, your lead curator, and here are your insights into what makes this day in history relevant today. First time reading? Join our community of intellectually curious readers who explore the history behind every day. [Sign up here]

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Today in History

Marquee Event of the Day

> January 10, 1776: Common Sense published.

On this day in 1776, Thomas Paine published Common Sense, a 50-page pamphlet that sold over 500,000 copies in a few months, urging Americans to pursue independence and igniting the American Revolution.

Why this matters: The publication of Common Sense in 1776 was a pivotal moment in world history, as it galvanized public support for American independence and reshaped the political landscape of the era. Thomas Paine’s clear and persuasive arguments not only inspired colonists to challenge British rule but also introduced the idea that ordinary people could govern themselves without a monarchy. The pamphlet’s success helped lay the ideological foundation for the American Revolution, a conflict that would birth the United States and influence democratic movements worldwide. Common Sense remains a landmark in political literature, demonstrating the power of ideas to drive historical change.

Find out how much you know about the American Revolution with this special quiz.

Notable Events

• January 10, 1840 - The Uniform Penny Post mail system launches across the United Kingdom, a concept championed by Rowland Hill to make mail more accessible and affordable for all, including the poorer classes.

• January 10, 1900 - British generals Frederick Roberts and Herbert Kitchener arrive in Cape Town during the Second Boer War.

• January 10, 49 B.C. - Julius Caesar defies the Roman Senate by crossing the Rubicon and declaring, "alea iacta est" (the die is cast), igniting a civil war that ultimately leads to his appointment as Roman dictator for life.

In partnership with Masters of Trivia 
Knowledge Gamified

A recent MSN article titled “Top 10 Self-Made Entrepreneurs Who Turned Vision into Reality” featured Dom Einhorn, founder of Intelligent Games, in the #3 spot. For transparency, Intelligent Games is the parent company of both the KRONIKL newsletter and Masters of Trivia, the quiz platform linked to many topics featured in this newsletter. Additionally, the November 2024 issue of New York Weekly Magazine describes Masters of Trivia as follows:

Einhorn points to the company’s slogan to explain the value of Masters of Trivia’s platform. “Our slogan is ‘Knowledge Gamified’ and not ‘Gamified Knowledge’ for a good reason,” he explains. “We aim to educate and inform first and foremost, but we also know that most people need to be deeply engaged in the learning process. Hence, we added a heavy dose of entertainment and incentives to the mix.”

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Echoes in Time

Here are two events from January 10 that continue to resonate in the present day.

1. Event: January 10, 1946 - The first United Nations General Assembly met in London.

Lasting Significance: The first meeting marked a pivotal moment in global history, symbolizing the world's collective commitment to peace and cooperation following the devastation of World War II. This gathering of representatives from 51 nations laid the foundation for a new era of diplomacy and multilateralism, aiming to prevent future conflicts and address international challenges through dialogue and collective action. 

2. Event:  January 10, 1901- A drilling rig at Spindletop Hill near Beaumont, Texas, struck a massive crude oil gusher, marking the birth of the American oil industry.

Lasting Significance: The Spindletop oil gusher was a transformative moment that launched the modern American oil industry. Producing more oil in one day than many previous wells combined, it ushered in an era of rapid industrial growth and economic transformation. Spindletop attracted investment, gave rise to major oil companies like Gulf, Texaco, and Exxon, and solidified Texas as a global energy powerhouse. This discovery not only revolutionized transportation and manufacturing but also reshaped geopolitics by establishing oil as a central resource for the 20th and 21st centuries. Its impact continues to resonate in energy policy and economic development today.

In the Spotlight

Birthdays, Passings & Milestones
Highlighting the influential figures who were born or died on this day, along with their legacies.

• January 10, 1945 - Rod Stewart was born. Stewart’s legacy lies in his distinctive voice, timeless hits, and decades-long career, making him one of the most celebrated figures in rock and pop.

• January 10, 2016- The world lost David Bowie, an innovative artist with genre-defying music, and iconic persona, cementing him as a cultural and musical trailblazer.

• January 10, 1430 - The Catholic Order of the Golden Fleece is founded in Bruges to celebrate the wealth and prosperity of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy’s domains.

Science & Discovery

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• January 10, 2008 - Tata Motors unveils the Nano at the New Delhi Auto Expo in India, promoting it as the world’s cheapest car with an expected price of around $2,500.

• January 10, 1946 - Radar signals were detected bouncing off the Moon for the first time.

• January 10, 1863 - First underground railway opens in London.

• January 10, 1897 - Ukrainian bacteriologist Waldemar Haffkine conducts the first human trial of a plague vaccine on himself during the Bombay epidemic.

Today in Finance

Brought to you by Born2Invest.
Curated reads and interesting tidbits from the world of finance.

• January 10, 2000 - America Online Inc. (AOL) announced plans to acquire Time Warner Inc. in a historic media merger valued at approximately $182 billion in stock and debt.

• January 10, 1873 - The Standard Oil Company is founded by John D. Rockefeller (30%), his brother, and other partners, initially controlling about 10% of the world’s oil supply.

• January 10, 1920 - Silver reaches record $1.37 an ounce.

Today in Sports

Brought to you by The Hunslet Wolves, a new UK-based rugby franchise coached by the former defensive head coach of the French National Team, David Ellis.

• January 10, 1949 - George Foreman was born. Foreman’s legacy spans his dominance as a two-time heavyweight boxing champion and his inspiring comeback.

• January 10, 1951 - Maurice Richard scores his 16th hat trick in the Canadiens' 3-0 win, bringing his total to 274 goals and surpassing Howie Morenz as the NHL's #2 all-time scorer.

• January 10, 1982 - NFC Championship at Candlestick Park: The 49ers edge the Cowboys 28-27 with "The Catch"—Dwight Clark’s iconic fingertip TD from Joe Montana with 58 seconds left. San Francisco advances to win the Super Bowl.

• January 10, 1984 - Luis Aparicio, Harmon Killebrew, and Don Drysdale are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

In the Arts Today

• January 10, 1988 - The first episode of The Sopranos premiered on HBO, starring James Gandolfini and Edie Falco, and was later acclaimed as a television classic.

• January 10, 1924 - American jazz drummer and percussionist Max Roach was born.

• January 10, 1903 - Renowned British sculptor, Dame Barbara Hepworth, a pioneer in abstract sculpture, often working with materials like wood, stone, and bronze to create organic, was born.

The Rest of the Story

• January 10, 1843 - Franklin James, the older and lesser-known brother of Jesse James, is born in Clay County, Missouri.

• January 10, 1962 - An avalanche on the slopes of an extinct volcano in Peru killed over 4,000 people, destroying nine towns and seven smaller villages.

• January 10, 1920 - The League of Nations was officially established as its Covenant, ratified by 42 nations in 1919, came into effect.

Quote of the Day

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Why KRONIKL? Inspired by the timeless concept of chronicles, KRONIKL is dedicated to bringing you the most intriguing, thought-provoking stories from this date. Culture, science, politics, and more — all condensed for a quick, insightful read that connects your present with our past.

*Disclosure: Masters of Trivia is a quiz platform founded by Dom Einhorn and owned by Intelligent Games LLC—the same company that brings you the KRONIKL newsletter.