A closer look at key historic events that took place on April 10:
In 2019, the first image of a black hole is captured
Astronomers released the first-ever image of a black hole at the center of a giant elliptical galaxy called Messier 87. More than 50 million light-years away, the supermassive black hole contains the same mass as 6.5 billion suns.
In 2001, the Netherlands legalize euthanasia
The Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act, commonly known as the Euthanasia Act, was passed on April 10, 2001 and came into effect on April 1, 2002.
This law allows for euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide under strict conditions, including the patient’s voluntary and well-considered request, unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement, and consultation with at least one other independent doctor. The law was proposed by Els Borst, the D66 minister of Health.
Dutch Minister of Health, Dr. Els Borst-Eilers on 11 August 1999 speaking on a proposed bill legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide in the Netherlands, including for children over the age of 12. EPA PHOTO EPA/LOUISA GOULIAMAKI
In 1938, Anschluss approved in Austria
The Anschluss refers to the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in March 1938. The term “Anschluss” means “union” or “connection” in German. Soon after Adolf Hitler‘s invasion of the country, in a controlled plebiscite, 99.7 % of Austrians approved the Anschluss.
Hitler announces Anschluss at Heldenplatz, Vienna, March 15, 1938. CC BY SA 3.0
In 1912, the Titanic embarks on its maiden voyage
The RMS Titanic, a British passenger liner, embarked on its first and last voyage from Southampton to New York on April 10, 1912. It sank on April 15, after colliding with an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean, costing over 1,500 people their lives in one of the deadliest maritime disasters in history.
The last known image of the Titanic as she sets sail from Queenstown for New York. REUTERS/Christie’s
In 1633, Bananas go on sale for the first time in London.
The shopkeeper Thomas Johnson, who had a herbalist shop on Snow Hill in Holborn hung bananas for the first time on his shop window. Despite this early start, bananas weren’t regularly available until the 1800s, when they came from Madeira, and even then they were still considered a luxury.
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