ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY - April 10th
On this day in history in 837, Halley's Comet came closer to Earth than at any point in history. It managed a near miss of only 3.2 million miles.
Although Halley's Comet is named after the astronomer Edmund Halley, he didn't discover it. Although he did predict its orbit and observed it more than once.
The oldest record of Halley's Comet is from Records Of The Grand Historian in China, in 240 BC. It even appeared in the Bayeux Tapestry, the embroidery, not an actual tapestry, depicting the invasion of England by the Normans in 1066.
Halley's comet orbits the sun every 75-76 years. The last time it was seen in the skies above Earth was in 1986. It won't be seen again until 2061.
On this day in history in 1858, Big Ben was re-cast after the original bell suffered a crack on testing.
Big Ben is the name of the Great Bell that resides in Elizabeth Tower. It's not the name of the tower, or the clock face, as some believe.
Big Ben weighs a staggering 13.76 tonnes, which is over 30,000 pounds.
On this day in history in 401, Theodosius II was born. He became Emperor of Rome when he was just 13-years-old, but had to yield power to his older sister, Aelia Pulcheria, who kept bullying and teasing poor Theodosius until he gave her what she wanted.
She proclaimed herself as Empress and reined as regent for a couple of years until Theodosius stopped crying, grew a pair, and finally kicked her out.
On this day in history in 1512, James V of Scotland was born. He became king of Scotland at the tender age of one and half after his father, James IV, head butted an axe.
Did you know: James was the father of Mary, Queen of Scots. And his illegitimate son, James Stewart, was the first person to be assassinated by a firearm.
On this day in history in 1988, Haley Joel Osment was born. He starred in big blockbusters when he was a kid - including the Sixth Sense and A.I Artificial Intelligence and Pay It Forward. He hasn't been as successful now he's all grown up.
Did you know: His sister has appeared in Hannah Montana.
Bonus facts
On this day in 1912, RMS Titanic departed Southampton, England, on her maiden voyage. It was also her only voyage as the ship hit an iceburg and sank before it reached its destination.
On this day in 1970, Paul McCartney announced he was leaving The Beatles. He cited personal and professional reason.
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