zpostcode
Today in History—March 10: The Day the Planets Aligned—and the World Didn’t End
Jul 29, 2026 7:43 PM

  

Today in History—March 10: The Day the Planets Aligned—and the World Didn’t End1

  March 10, 1982: Could planetary alignment predict doomsday? (more) Today in History—March 10: The Day the Planets Aligned—and the World Didn’t End Written by Tara Ramanathan Assistant Technology Editor at Encyclopedia Britannica. Tara Ramanathan Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Mar. 6, 2026 •History March 10, 1982: Could planetary alignment predict doomsday?© Glen Martin—The Denver Post/Getty Images; Photo Illustration Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. On this day in 1982, every planet in the solar system aligned on one side of the Sun—and we braced for the world to end. Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Want to learn more about what happened on March 10, or any other day of the year? Sign up to receive the...

  .eb-448-paywall-overlay { position: relative; background: white; border: 2px solid #93c5fd; border-radius: 16px; text-align: center; box-shadow: 0 4px 8px 0px #bfdbfe; width: 100%; overflow: hidden; } .eb-448-paywall-overlay-padding { padding: 40px 48px; } .eb-448-paywall-simple { border: 2px solid #93c5fd; } .eb-448-decorative-left-simple, .eb-448-decorative-right-simple { position: absolute; top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%); } .eb-448-decorative-left-simple { left: 0px; transform: translateY(-50%) scaleX(-1); } .eb-448-paywall-simple .eb-448-decorative-right-simple { right: 0; } .eb-448-paywall-content { position: relative; z-index: 15; } .eb-448-header-section { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; gap: 12px; margin-bottom: 8px; } .eb-448-features { display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; gap: 12px; margin-bottom: 32px; font-size: 14px; color: #525252; } .eb-448-features-simple { color: #6b6b6b; } .eb-448-feature-free-trial { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; color: black; } .eb-448-feature-secondary { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; } .eb-448-feature { font-weight: 600; } .eb-448-feature.simple { font-weight: 400; } .eb-448-feature.bold { color: balck; font-weight: 700; } .eb-448-feature.blue { color: #14599d; } .eb-448-divider { color: #cbd5e0; font-weight: 300; } .eb-448-unsubscribe-text { color: #525252; margin-bottom: 8px; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; } .eb-448-unsubscribe-text-simple { font-weight: 400; color: #6b6b6b; } .eb-448-decorative-left { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; height: 100%; z-index: -1; } .eb-448-decorative-right { position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; height: 100%; } .eb-448-decorative-image { height: 100%; } .eb-448-decorative-mobile { width: 100%; display: none; img { width: 100%; } } @media (max-width: 672px) { .eb-448-features { gap: 8px; font-size: 12px; } .eb-448-unsubscribe-text { font-size: 12px; } .eb-448-decorative-left, .eb-448-decorative-right { display: none; } .eb-448-decorative-mobile { display: flex; } .eb-448-paywall-overlay-padding { padding: 20px 24px; } .eb-448-features-simple { flex-direction: column; } .eb-448-feature-free-trial .eb-448-divider { display: none; } .eb-448-thistle-icon { filter: blur(2px); } }

  

Today in History—March 10: The Day the Planets Aligned—and the World Didn’t End2

  Discover the world with Britannica Subscribe to Continue Reading Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content Unsubscribe Anytime!

  Explore Subscriptions

  

Today in History—March 10: The Day the Planets Aligned—and the World Didn’t End3

  

Today in History—March 10: The Day the Planets Aligned—and the World Didn’t End4

  

Today in History—March 10: The Day the Planets Aligned—and the World Didn’t End5

Comments
Welcome to zpostcode comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Recommend >
The World’s Tallest Statues
     Statue of Unity The tallest statue in the world, honoring the Indian leader Vallabhbhai Patel, is the Statue of Unity, which stands at 597 feet (182 meters), or 787 feet (240 meters) with the base, in the Narmada River valley, Gujarat, India. (more) The World’s Tallest Statues Written by Charles Preston Charles Preston is Associate Editor for Religion at...
Today in History—April 6: ABBA Makes History—and References It
     Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica. (more) Today in History—April 6: ABBA Makes History—and References It Written by Meg Matthias Meg Matthias is Senior Video Production Manager at Encyclopædia Britannica. Meg Matthias Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working...
gunpowder empires
     Mughal era gunpowder holder This 17th-century zoomorphic priming flask, with intricately carved animals, was made from ivory. These small vessels were used to hold fine-grained gunpowder for priming the main charge in a firearm. (more) gunpowder empires Written by Shatarupa Chaudhuri Shatarupa Chaudhuri is a senior editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica, bringing over 15 years of editorial experience in news...
Lohri
     Lohri Celebrants gathering around a bonfire during Lohri celebrations at Dilli Haat in New Delhi, on January 13, 2019. (more) Lohri harvest festival Also known as: Loi Written by Tamanna Nangia Tamanna Nangia is Associate Editor, Encyclopaedia Britannica. She has over five years of experience in editorial processes, handling many different aspects of the publishing process: content development,... Tamanna...
Information Recommendation
List of Strange Deaths in the Mughal Empire
     Babur A miniature portrait of Babur inspecting a garden was painted in the 16th century to illustrate a manuscript copy of the Baburnama. The book is in the British Library (MS. Or 3714). (more) List of Strange Deaths in the Mughal Empire Written by Tamanna Nangia Tamanna Nangia is Associate Editor, Encyclopaedia Britannica. She has over five years of...
Today in History—April 5: The U.S. Joins the Metric System—Sort Of
     Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica. (more) Today in History—April 5: The U.S. Joins the Metric System—Sort Of Written by Erik Gregersen Erik Gregersen is a senior editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica, specializing in the physical sciences and technology. Before joining Britannica in 2007, he worked at the University of Chicago Press on the... Erik Gregersen Fact-checked...
Gisèle Pelicot
     “Gisèle, the women thank you” Gisèle Pelicot walking past a sign of support on her way to court for the trial of her former husband and dozens of other men who were convicted of drugging and raping her. (more) Gisèle Pelicot She was drugged and abused by dozens of men. When she accused them in open court, she became...
Christina Koch
     Christina Koch Astronaut Christina Koch is set to become the first American woman to travel to the Moon. (more) Christina Koch American astronaut Also known as: Christina M. Hammock Written by Erik Gregersen Erik Gregersen is a senior editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica, specializing in the physical sciences and technology. Before joining Britannica in 2007, he worked at the University...
Christopher Allen Wright
     Christopher Allen Wright U.S. Energy Secretary Christopher Wright was confirmed on February 3, 2025, by a vote of 59–38 in the U.S. Senate. (more) Christopher Allen Wright American politician, businessman and engineer Also known as: Chris Wright Written by Anca Gurzu Anca Gurzu is Cipher’s chief Europe correspondent, based in Brussels, Belgium. Anca Gurzu Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia...
Today in History—April 7: That time the U.S. briefly lost a nuclear bomb
     Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica. (more) Today in History—April 7: That time the U.S. briefly lost a nuclear bomb Written by Michele Metych Michele Metych is the lead editor for Today in History at Encyclopædia Britannica. Michele Metych Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether...
Seven Pillars of Wisdom
     T.E. Lawrence T.E. Lawrence, author of Seven Pillars of Wisdom (1926) in about 1918. (more) Seven Pillars of Wisdom work by Lawrence Written by Raphael Hallett Raphael Hallett is the author of the History section of 501 Must-Read Books. His work appears in Encyclopaedia Britannica as part of a joint publishing agreement with the publisher of 501... Raphael Hallett...
What Is Pax Silica?
     All in agreement The founding partners of Pax Silica, led by U.S. Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg (far left). (more) What Is Pax Silica? Written by Aman Kumar Aman Kumar is an editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. Aman Kumar Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from...