On This Day: April 10th

Robert Walpole resigns from the British government, commencing the Whig Split which lasts until 1720.

The Statute of Anne, the first law regulating copyright, comes into force in Great Britain.

The Virginia Company of London is established by royal charter by James I of England with the purpose of establishing colonial settlements in North America.

The settlement of Villa Imperial de Carlos V (now the city of Potosí) in Bolivia is founded after the discovery of huge silver deposits in the area.

Ludovico Sforza is captured by Swiss troops at Novara and is handed over to the French.

Deshin Shekpa, 5th Karmapa Lama visits the Ming dynasty capital at Nanjing and is awarded the title "Great Treasure Prince of Dharma".

Election of Pope Leo IV following the death of Pope Sergius II.

Halley's Comet makes its closest approach to Earth at a distance equal to 0.0342 AU (5.1 million kilometres/3.2 million miles).

Nestorius becomes the Patriarch of Constantinople.

During the year of Six Emperors, forces of Gordian I and Gordian II are defeated by those of Maximinus Thrax in the battle of Carthage.