What Happened on May 3?
All
events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON MAY 3
Explore the most important historical events that happened on May 3, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Raja Harishchandra
Year:
1913
Raja Harishchandra, the first full-length Indian feature film, is released, marking the beginning of the Indian film industry.
Like
1920 Georgian coup attempt
Year:
1920
A Bolshevik coup fails in the Democratic Republic of Georgia.
Like
Great Fire of 1901
Year:
1901
The Great Fire of 1901 begins in Jacksonville, Florida.
Like
William Walker (filibuster)
Year:
1855
American adventurer William Walker departs from San Francisco with about 60 men to conquer Nicaragua.
Like
May Uprising in Dresden
Year:
1849
The May Uprising in Dresden begins: The last of the German revolutions of 1848–49.
Like
West Virginia
Year:
1921
West Virginia becomes the first state to legislate a broad sales tax, but does not implement it until a number of years later due to enforcement issues.
Like
Partition of Ireland
Year:
1921
Ireland is partitioned under British law by the Government of Ireland Act 1920, creating Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland.
Like
Prison ship
Year:
1945
World War II: Sinking of the prison ships Cap Arcona, Thielbek and Deutschland by the Royal Air Force in Lübeck Bay.
Like
BIRTHS ON MAY 3
Discover famous people and historical figures born on May 3, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Norman Corwin
Year of birth:
1910
Norman Corwin, American screenwriter and producer (died 2011)
Like
Mary Astor
Year of birth:
1906
Mary Astor, American actress (died 1987)
Like
Anna Roosevelt Halsted
Year of birth:
1906
Anna Roosevelt Halsted, American journalist and author (died 1975)
Like
Red Ruffing
Year of birth:
1905
Red Ruffing, American baseball pitcher and coach (died 1986)
Like
May Sarton
Year of birth:
1912
May Sarton, American poet, novelist and memoirist (died 1995)
Like
Virgil Fox
Year of birth:
1912
Virgil Fox, American organist and composer (died 1980)
Like
Stu Hart
Year of birth:
1915
Stu Hart, Canadian wrestler and trainer, founded Stampede Wrestling (died 2003)
Like
Georges-Emmanuel Clancier
Year of birth:
1914
Georges-Emmanuel Clancier, French journalist, author, and poet (died 2018)
Like
DEATHS ON MAY 3
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on May 3, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Jessie Willcox Smith
Year of death:
1935
Jessie Willcox Smith, American illustrator (born 1863)
Like
Charles Fort
Year of death:
1932
Charles Fort, American journalist and author (born 1874)
Like
Thorvald Stauning
Year of death:
1942
Thorvald Stauning, Danish politician, 24th Prime Minister of Denmark (born 1873)
Like
Harry Miller (auto racing)
Year of death:
1943
Harry Miller, American engineer (born 1875)
Like
Ernst Tandefelt
Year of death:
1948
Ernst Tandefelt, Finnish assassin of Heikki Ritavuori (born 1876)
Like
Clément Ader
Year of death:
1925
Clément Ader, French engineer, designed the Ader Avion III (born 1841)
Like
Théodore Pilette
Year of death:
1921
Théodore Pilette, Belgian race car driver (born 1883)
Like
Thomas MacDonagh
Year of death:
1916
Thomas MacDonagh, Irish poet and rebel (born 1878)
Like
HOLIDAYS ON MAY 3
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on May 3 around the world.
May 3 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: May 3 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Like
3 May Constitution Day
Constitution Day (Poland)
Like
Fiesta de las Cruces
Finding of the Holy Cross-related observances: Fiesta de las Cruces (Spain and Hispanic America)
Like
World Press Freedom Day
World Press Freedom Day
Like
Theodosius of Kiev
Christian feast day: Theodosius of Kiev (Eastern Orthodox Church)
Like
The Most Holy Virgin Mary, Queen of Poland
Christian feast day: The Most Holy Virgin Mary, Queen of Poland
Like
Saint Moura
Christian feast day: Moura (Coptic Church)
Like
Philip the Apostle
Christian feast day: Philip and James the Lesser
Like