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       This Day in History: April 10 Take a look at all of the important historical events that took place on April 10.

       On this day, April 10 ...

       1947: Brooklyn Dodgers President Branch Rickey purchases the contract of Jackie Robinson from the Montreal Royals.

       Also on this day:

       1790: President George Washington signs the first United States Patent Act. 1866: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is incorporated.

       The 'Titanic', a passenger ship of the White Star Line, that sank in the night of April 14-15, 1912. (Photo by Roger Viollet/Getty Images)

       1912: The British liner RMS Titanic sets sail from Southampton, England, on its ill-fated maiden voyage. 1925: The F. Scott Fitzgerald novel “The Great Gatsby” is first published by Scribner’s of New York. 1957: “12 Angry Men,” starring Henry Fonda, premieres in Los Angeles. 1967: At the Academy Awards, “A Man for All Seasons” wins best picture of 1966; its star, Paul Scofield, is named best actor; Elizabeth Taylor receives best actress for “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” 1974: Golda Meir tells party leaders she is resigning as prime minister of Israel. 1981: Imprisoned IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands is declared the winner of a by-election to the British Parliament. 1992: Comedian Sam Kinison is killed in a car crash outside Needles, Calif., at age 38. 1998: The Northern Ireland peace talks conclude as negotiators reach a landmark settlement to end 30 years of bitter rivalries and bloody attacks.