1. On July 10, 1839, John Deere invented the world-renowned steel plow in Grand Detour, Illinois. The plow allowed farmers to clear the Midwest's tough prairie soil with ease, revolutionizing agriculture in the region.

2. In 1863, the Battle of Vicksburg came to an end. The victory for Union forces was especially significant for Illinois, as soldiers from the state played a significant role in the battle.

3. The first automobile race in Chicago took place on July 10, 1895, organized by the Chicago Times-Herald. The race saw six cars cover a distance of 54 miles, with J. Frank Duryea taking home the grand prize of $2,000.

4. Illinois-born astronaut Blaine Hammond flew on three Space Shuttle missions, including the Discovery in 1992. On July 10 of that year, Hammond performed the first untethered spacewalk without a safety line, a remarkable feat that earned him worldwide acclaim.

5. On July 10, 2017, the Illinois General Assembly voted to pass a bill to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, making it the 11th state to do so in the United States. The law took effect on January 1, 2020, allowing adults over the age of 21 to legally purchase and possess cannabis.