What happened on March 10th?

A historic step in Mars exploration

Author

Matthew Jones
March 10, 2025

2006 NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Begins Mapping Mars

On March 10th, 2006, NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter entered Mars’ orbit, marking a significant step in the search for signs of water and ice on the Red Planet. The orbiter’s mission to map the planet’s surface provided vital data, enhancing our understanding of Mars's geological history and its potential to sustain life. This mission laid the groundwork for future exploration missions and contributed to the growing body of knowledge about our neighboring planet.

This is an illustration depicting NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter above Mars.

🗞️Today’s Headlines

Everything important that’s ever happened on March 10:

2017 — South Korean President Park Geun-Hye’s presidency ended when the country’s Constitutional Court upheld her impeachment over a corruption scandal, leading to her removal from office.

1969 — James Earl Ray pled guilty to the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr, receiving a 99-year prison sentence for the crime.

1933 — The Nazis opened Dachau, their first concentration camp, marking the beginning of a horrific system of imprisonment and persecution of Jews, political enemies, and other groups.

1876 — Alexander Graham Bell’s “liquid” transmitter enabled the first successful transmission of speech, famously calling out to his assistant, Thomas Watson, “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.”

1793 — The National Convention in France established the Revolutionary Tribunal to try suspects of counter-revolutionary activity, intensifying the struggle during the French Revolution.

🎂 Today’s Birthdays

On March 10, we’re singing to:

Sharon Stone (1958) — American actress celebrated for her roles in Basic Instinct and Casino, known for her bold performances in both thrillers and dramas.

Rick Rubin (1963) — Influential music producer known for his work across a variety of genres, including hip-hop, rock, and country with artists such as Johnny Cash, Metallica, and Kanye West.

Prince Edward (1964) — British royal, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II, and currently the Duke of Edinburgh, known for his charity work and media ventures.

Timbaland (1971) — Pioneering music producer and performer recognized for shaping the sound of 2000s hip-hop and R&B through collaborations with Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Aaliyah, and more.

Samuel Eto’o (1981) — Cameroonian footballer regarded as one of Africa's greatest players, with a career spanning top European clubs such as Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea.

Olivia Wilde (1984) — Actress, director, and screenwriter known for her roles in House and Tron: Legacy, as well as for directing Booksmart and Don't Worry Darling.

 🪦Who Died Today?

On March 10, we’re saying goodbye to:

Mikhail Bulgakov (1940) — Russian author best known for his novel The Master and Margarita, a satirical masterpiece that blends fantasy, politics, and religion.

Zelda Fitzgerald (1948) — American writer and artist famed for her tumultuous marriage to F. Scott Fitzgerald and her novel Save Me the Waltz.

F. Sherwood Rowland (2012) — American chemist who co-discovered the depletion of the ozone layer caused by CFCs, earning him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995.

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