10 September 1573

German pirate Klein Henszlein and 33 of his crew are beheaded in Hamburg

Klein Henszlein was a notorious German pirate active in the late 16th century during the Golden Age of Piracy, particularly around the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. His full name was Peter Henztlein, though he was commonly known as “Klein” (meaning “little”) because of his relatively small stature. Henszlein led a sizable pirate crew and was responsible for numerous acts of piracy, including attacks on merchant ships.

He gained notoriety for his ruthless methods and was eventually captured in 1573 by the Danish authorities. Following his arrest, Henszlein and many members of his crew were executed in Hamburg, Germany, by decapitation. His death marked one of the largest mass executions of pirates in Northern Europe at the time.

Klein Henszlein’s life and exploits are often referenced in historical records as part of the broader history of piracy in Europe during the 16th century. His legacy contributed to the efforts by several northern European nations to combat piracy during this era.

10 September 1960

At the Summer Olympics in Rome, Abebe Bikila becomes the first sub-Saharan African to win a gold medal, winning the marathon in bare feet.

Abebe Bikila was an Ethiopian long-distance runner who is perhaps best known for his historic victory at the 1960 Rome Olympics when he won the marathon race while running barefoot. Abebe Bikila was born on August 7, 1932, in Jato, a village in the mountains of Ethiopia. He came from a humble background and initially served in the Imperial Bodyguard of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie.

1960 Rome Olympics: Abebe Bikila made history at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy. He was selected to represent Ethiopia in the marathon, which is a 26.2-mile (42.195-kilometer) race.

Barefoot Running: Bikila made a bold decision to run the marathon without shoes. This decision was not premeditated but was due to circumstances. His official running shoes were causing him discomfort, so he decided to run barefoot, a style he had trained in previously.

Victorious Run: Bikila’s decision to run barefoot turned out to be a brilliant choice. He completed the marathon in 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 16.2 seconds, setting a new world record and becoming the first African to win a gold medal at the Olympics. His performance made him an instant global sensation.

Symbol of African Athleticism: Abebe Bikila’s victory and barefoot run symbolized the emergence of African athletes on the international stage. It shattered stereotypes and demonstrated that athletes from Africa, particularly Ethiopia, could excel in long-distance running.

Repeat Victory: Bikila’s success did not end in Rome. He went on to win another Olympic gold medal in the marathon at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first athlete to successfully defend his Olympic marathon title.

Legacy: Abebe Bikila’s legacy extends far beyond his athletic achievements. He inspired generations of Ethiopian and African athletes, paving the way for their success in long-distance running. His determination, strength, and iconic barefoot run continue to be celebrated in the world of sports.

Injury and Tragic Accident: Unfortunately, Bikila’s career was cut short by a car accident in 1969 that left him partially paralyzed. Despite this tragic event, he remained active in sports and various other pursuits.

Passing Away: Abebe Bikila passed away on October 25, 1973, at the age of 41. His legacy lives on as a symbol of Ethiopian and African athletic prowess.

10 September 1823

Simón Bolívar is named President of Peru.

He was called El Liberator by the natives of Peru, Venzeula and Colombia, who followed his military leadership to independence. Sympathetic Americans drew parallels with their own struggle for independence, and called Simon Bolivar the “George Washington of South America.” Indeed, Simon Bolivar was the most important political and military figure in South American history, liberating Bolivia, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela from Spain, and organizing them into self-sustaining nations — mostly under his leadership.

On this day, September 10, in 1823, after liberating Colombia and adding to its territory, Simon Bolivar returned to Peru to take charge of the military and government.

After the Upper Peru region became a separate nation, with Bolivar’s blessing, their government asked Bolivar to become their president. Bolivar declined, but did appoint one of his top aides, General Antonio José de Sucre, to the post. The country decided to name themselves after Bolivar: like Rome named after Romulus, from Bolivar would come Bolivia.

10 September 1846

10 September 1846 – Elias Howe gets a patent for the sewing machine.

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While working as a journeyman machinist, Elias Howe Jr. wrestled for years to find a way to mechanize sewing. With the family pinched by poverty, his wife sewed for others by hand at home. Watching her sew, Howe visualized ways to mechanize the process. In 1845, he built his first sewing machine and soon constructed an improved model, which he carried to the Patent Office in Washington to apply for a patent. He received the fifth United States patent for a sewing machine in 1846.

Howe’s patent claims were upheld in court to allow his claim to control the combination of the eye-pointed needle with a shuttle to form a lockstitch. Howe met with limited success in marketing his sewing machine. Subsequent inventors patented their versions of sewing machines, some of which infringed on Howe’s patent. He quickly realized his fortune depended on defending his patent and collecting royalty fees from sewing machine manufacturers. These royalty licenses granted companies the right to use the Howe patent on their machines.

In 1856, after years of lawsuits over patent rights, Elias Howe and three companies, Wheeler & Wilson, Grover and Baker, and I. M. Singer, formed the first patent pool in American industry. The organization was called the Sewing Machine Combination and/or the Sewing Machine Trust. This freed the companies from expensive and time-consuming litigation and enabled them to concentrate on manufacturing and marketing their machines.