On This Day in History – September 3

September 3 marks pivotal moments in world history—from the signing of peace treaties to the birth of iconic figures. It’s a date of resolutions, discoveries, and cultural landmarks.

Major Events

• 1783 – Treaty of Paris Signed Great Britain formally recognizes the independence of the United States, ending the American Revolutionary War.
• 1939 – Britain and France Declare War on Germany Following Germany’s invasion of Poland, World War II begins in Europe as the two powers respond militarily.
• 2004 – Beslan School Siege Ends in Tragedy Russian forces storm a school in North Ossetia held by terrorists, ending a three-day hostage crisis that left over 330 people dead.
• 1976 – Viking 2 Lands on Mars NASA’s Viking 2 spacecraft successfully lands on Mars, capturing images and analyzing the soil.
• 1838 – Future Abolitionist Frederick Douglass Escapes Slavery Disguised as a sailor, Douglass escapes from slavery in Maryland, beginning his journey as a prominent abolitionist.
• 1971 – Qatar Declares Independence from Britain Qatar ends its treaty relationship with the United Kingdom and becomes an independent sovereign state.
• 1928 – Alexander Fleming Discovers Penicillin The antibiotic properties of Penicillin are first observed, later revolutionizing medicine and saving millions of lives.
• 1967 – Dagen H in Sweden Sweden switches from driving on the left side of the road to the right in one of the largest traffic reorganizations in history.

Famous Birthdays

• Charlie Sheen (1965) – American actor known for Two and a Half Men and Platoon.
• Malcolm Gladwell (1963) – Canadian journalist and author, known for books like Outliers and The Tipping Point.
• Garrett Hedlund (1984) – American actor, known for roles in Tron: Legacy and Friday Night Lights.
• Alan Ladd (1913–1964) – American actor famous during Hollywood’s Golden Age.
• Louis Sullivan (1856–1924) – American architect regarded as the “father of skyscrapers.”
• Kit Carson (1809–1868) – American frontiersman and explorer.
• Jean-Pierre Jeunet (1953) – French film director, known for Amélie.

Notable Deaths

• Oliver Cromwell (1658) – English military and political leader during the English Civil War.
• Ivan the Terrible (1584) – First Tsar of Russia, remembered for centralizing power and his brutal reign.
• E. E. Cummings (1962) – American poet and painter known for experimental poetry.
• Vince Lombardi (1970) – Legendary American football coach, born in 1913.
• Frank Capra (1991) – American film director, known for It’s a Wonderful Life, born in 1897.
• Barbara McClintock (1992) – Nobel Prize-winning American geneticist, born in 1902.

Holidays

• San Marino – Foundation Day Celebrates the founding of the Republic of San Marino in 301 AD, often considered the world’s oldest republic.
• Qatar – Independence Day Marks the day Qatar officially became independent from the British in 1971.
• Flag Day (Australia) Commemorates the first time the Australian National Flag was flown in 1901.

Fun Facts

• Penicillin’s discovery on this day would later lead to the creation of the world’s first true antibiotic, saving millions of lives in the 20th century.
• San Marino, founded in 301 AD, claims to be the oldest surviving sovereign state and constitutional republic.
• Dagen H, Sweden’s national switch from left- to right-hand traffic in 1967, was so well-orchestrated that it occurred overnight with surprisingly few accidents.
• Mars’ surface was first explored by Viking 2 on this day, giving humanity its second successful landing on the red planet.