July 10th: National & International Days, Celebrations and Observances

July 10th is around the corner. Even in this summer heat, there's plenty we can do right here at home.

• Those bees you see buzzing around? They need flowering plants. Add some to your garden or windowsill - marigolds and lavender work well, though they take regular watering in hot weather. Your lawn might look a bit wild at first, but skipping the chemicals helps bees thrive.
• Planning a picnic? Local foods packed in reusable containers make sense, especially when the farmers' market is just down the street. It takes extra planning, but the fresh taste is worth it.
• Between the heat waves and dry spells, bees need all the help they can get. Share what you've learned about pollinators on your social feeds. Drop by the courthouse? The staff appreciates a simple thanks - they're usually swamped this time of year. Indigenous environmental methods have protected local ecosystems for centuries. Their time-tested approaches still work today.
• That honey at the farmers' market? It's from hives just outside town. Chat with the beekeepers - most love explaining their craft. And instead of loading up on packaged drinks for summer parties, try mixing fresh alternatives at home. Sure, it takes more prep time, but guests usually prefer the real thing.

One household can't fix everything. But in our neighborhood, these daily choices add up.

July 10th left its mark through advances in exploration, science, and athletic achievement.

• The year was 1789 when Alexander Mackenzie left Fort Chipewyan with his Indigenous guides. They searched for a route to the Pacific Ocean, yet found themselves tracing what would later prove to be North America's second-largest river system. Upon reaching the Arctic waters instead of the Pacific, Mackenzie wrote "Disappointment River" in his journal. Today, this northern waterway simply bears his surname.
• At the University of Munich in 1997, a team of German researchers made a vital discovery about human origins. Working with bone fragments from Feldhofer Cave, they examined 379 pieces of mitochondrial DNA. Their results showed that modern humans split from Neanderthals roughly 465,000 years ago.
• A different kind of milestone began at Bodega Bay, California in 2007. Over the next five years, a single adventurer took on an epic quest: rowing across 27,000 nautical miles of ocean, pedaling 5,546 miles by bicycle, and climbing six towering peaks. No engines, no motors - just pure human power. The effort earned 15 Guinness World Records and marked the first time anyone had circled the globe solely under their own steam.

These five remarkable innovators were all born on July 10th.

• Back in Sweden's challenging 1700s, Eva Ekeblad found an unexpected use for potatoes. Through careful experiments, she created methods to produce both flour and alcohol - helping feed countless families during harsh famines. Not surprisingly, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences welcomed her as their first woman member.
• The brilliance of Nikola Tesla lights up modern life. By developing alternating current, he gave us the electrical system homes still use today. His genius shone brightest at Niagara Falls, where he turned rushing water into electricity. Tesla left behind 300+ patents, each one advancing how we generate power.
• With pocket change and pure conviction, Mary McLeod Bethune opened a modest Florida school. That small start grew into Bethune-Cookman University. She went beyond education, becoming a trusted voice in President Roosevelt's administration and fighting hard for African American access to education and natural resources.
• The medical field changed when Dr. Janette Sherman revealed the dangers of everyday chemicals. Her research sparked stricter rules for pesticides and nuclear safety. To this day, doctors refer to her essential guide "Chemical Exposure and Disease" when treating patients.
• Herbert Boyer reshaped science by unlocking the secrets of recombinant DNA. His vision led to founding Genentech, where cleaner production methods emerged alongside fresh solutions to environmental challenges.