September 3 has produced turning points in politics, science, culture, war, law, and technology. This timeline collects notable events recorded for this calendar day.
The list below is generated from public historical datasets and refreshed automatically by date.
Timeline for September 3
2017 North Korea
North Korea conducts its sixth and most powerful nuclear test.
2016 China
The U.S. and China, together responsible for 40% of the world's carbon emissions, both formally ratify the Paris global climate agreement.
2010 Dubai International Airport
After taking off from Dubai International Airport, UPS Airlines Flight 6 develops an in-flight fire in the cargo hold and crashes near Nad Al Sheba, killing both crew members on board.
2004 Beslan school siege
Beslan school siege results in over 330 fatalities, including 186 children.
2001 Belfast
In Belfast, Protestant loyalists begin a picket of Holy Cross, a Catholic primary school for girls.
1997 Vietnam Airlines
Vietnam Airlines Flight 815 (Tupolev Tu-134) crashes on approach into Phnom Penh airport, killing 64.
1989 Cubana de Aviación Flight 9046
Cubana de Aviación Flight 9046 crashes into a residential area of Havana shortly after takeoff from José Martí International Airport, killing 150.
1989 Varig Flight 254
Varig Flight 254 crashes in the Amazon rainforest near São José do Xingu in Brazil, killing 12.
1987 Burundian coup d’état
In a coup d'état in Burundi, President Jean-Baptiste Bagaza is deposed by Major Pierre Buyoya.
1981 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, an international bill of rights for women, is instituted by the United Nations.
1978 Rhodesian Bush War
During the Rhodesian Bush War a group of ZIPRA guerrillas shot down civilian Vickers Viscount aircraft (Air Rhodesia Flight 825) with a Soviet-made SAM Strela-2; of 56 passengers and crew 38 people died in crash, 10 were massacred by the guerrillas at the site.
1976 Viking program
Viking program: The American Viking 2 spacecraft lands at Utopia Planitia on Mars.
1971 Qatar
Qatar becomes an independent state.
1967 Dagen H
Dagen H in Sweden: Traffic changes from driving on the left to driving on the right overnight.
1954 People’s Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army begins shelling the Republic of China-controlled islands of Quemoy, starting the First Taiwan Strait Crisis.
1950 Giuseppe Farina
"Nino" Farina becomes the first Formula One Drivers' champion after winning the 1950 Italian Grand Prix.
1945 Victory over Japan Day
A three-day celebration begins in China, following the Victory over Japan Day on September 2.
1944 Diary
Holocaust: Diarist Anne Frank and her family are placed on the last transport train from the Westerbork transit camp to the Auschwitz concentration camp, arriving three days later.
1943 Operation Baytown
World War II: British and Canadian troops land on the Italian mainland. On the same day, Walter Bedell Smith and Giuseppe Castellano sign the Armistice of Cassibile, although it is not announced for another five days.
1942 Łachwa Ghetto
World War II: In response to news of its coming liquidation, Dov Lopatyn leads an uprising in the Ghetto of Lakhva (present-day Belarus).
1941 The Holocaust
The Holocaust: Karl Fritzsch, deputy camp commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp, experiments with the use of Zyklon B in the gassing of Soviet POWs.
1939 World War II
World War II: France, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia declare war on Germany after the invasion of Poland, forming the Allied nations. The Viceroy of India also declares war, but without consulting the provincial legislatures.
1939 Blockade of Germany (1939–1945)
World War II: The United Kingdom and France begin a naval blockade of Germany that lasts until the end of the war. This also marks the beginning of the Battle of the Atlantic.
1935 Malcolm Campbell
Sir Malcolm Campbell reaches a speed of 304.331 miles per hour on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, becoming the first person to drive an automobile over 300 mph.
1933 Yevgeniy Abalakov
Yevgeniy Abalakov is the first man to reach the highest point in the Soviet Union, Communism Peak (now called Ismoil Somoni Peak and situated in Tajikistan) (7495 m).
1925 USS Shenandoah (ZR-1)
USS Shenandoah, the United States' first American-built rigid airship, was destroyed in a squall line over Noble County, Ohio. Fourteen of her 42-man crew perished, including her commander, Zachary Lansdowne.
1916 Leefe Robinson
World War I: Leefe Robinson destroys the German airship Schütte-Lanz SL 11 over Cuffley, north of London; the first German airship to be shot down on British soil.
1914 Wilhelm, Prince of Albania
Wilhelm, Prince of Albania leaves the country after just six months due to opposition to his rule.
1914 Albéric Magnard
French composer Albéric Magnard is killed defending his estate against invading German soldiers.
1914 World War I
World War I: Start of the Battle of Grand Couronné, a German assault against French positions on high ground near the city of Nancy.
1911 Fraser’s Million Dollar Pier
A fire that started on Fraser's Million Dollar Pier destroys six to eight square blocks of Ocean Park, California.
1895 John Brallier
John Brallier becomes the first openly paid professional American football player, when he was paid US$10 by David Berry, to play for the Latrobe Athletic Association in a 12–0 win over the Jeanette Athletic Association.
1879 Siege of the British Residency in Kabul
Siege of the British Residency in Kabul: British envoy Sir Louis Cavagnari and 72 men of the Guides are massacred by Afghan troops while defending the British Residency in Kabul. Their heroism and loyalty became famous and revered throughout the British Empire.
1878 Sinking of SS Princess Alice
Over 640 die when the crowded pleasure boat Princess Alice collides with the Bywell Castle in the River Thames.
1875 Polo
The first official game of polo is played in Argentina after being introduced by British ranchers.
1870 Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War: The Siege of Metz begins, resulting in a decisive Prussian victory on October 23.
1861 American Civil War
American Civil War: Confederate General Leonidas Polk invades neutral Kentucky, prompting the state legislature to ask for Union assistance.
1855 American Indian Wars
American Indian Wars: In Nebraska, 700 soldiers under United States General William S. Harney avenge the Grattan massacre by attacking a Sioux village and killing 100 men, women and children.
1843 Otto of Greece
King Otto of Greece is forced to grant a constitution following an uprising in Athens.
1838 Abolitionism in the United States
Future abolitionist Frederick Douglass escapes from slavery.
1812 Pigeon Roost State Historic Site
Twenty-four settlers are killed in the Pigeon Roost Massacre in Indiana.
1798 Battle of St. George’s Caye
The week long battle of St. George's Caye begins between Spain and Britain off the coast of Belize.
1783 Treaty of Paris (1783)
American Revolutionary War: The war ends with the signing of the Treaty of Paris by the United States and the Kingdom of Great Britain.
1777 American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War: During the Battle of Cooch's Bridge, the Flag of the United States is flown in battle for the first time.
1666 Royal Exchange, London
The Royal Exchange burns down in the Great Fire of London.
1658 Oliver Cromwell
The death of Oliver Cromwell; Richard Cromwell becomes Lord Protector of England.
1651 Battle of Worcester
The Battle of Worcester is the last significant action in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
1650 Battle of Dunbar (1650)
Victory over the royalists in the Battle of Dunbar opens the way to Edinburgh for the New Model Army during the English invasion of Scotland.
1411 Treaty of Selymbria
The Treaty of Selymbria is concluded between the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Venice.
1335 Charles I of Hungary
At the congress of Visegrád Charles I of Hungary mediates a reconciliation between two neighboring monarchs, John of Bohemia and Casimir III of Poland.
1260 Mamluk
The Mamluks defeat the Mongols at the Battle of Ain Jalut in Palestine, marking their first decisive defeat and the point of maximum expansion of the Mongol Empire.
1189 Richard I of England
Richard I of England (a.k.a. Richard "the Lionheart") is crowned at Westminster.
863 Byzantine Empire
Major Byzantine victory under general Petronas at the Battle of Lalakaon against an Arab raid under emir Umar al-Aqta, who is killed in battle.
673 Wamba (king)
King Wamba of the Visigoths puts down a revolt by Hilderic, governor of Nîmes (France) and rival for the throne.
590 Pope Gregory I
Consecration of Pope Gregory I (Gregory the Great).
301 San Marino
San Marino, one of the smallest nations in the world and the world's oldest republic still in existence, is founded by Saint Marinus.
36 BC Battle of Naulochus
In the Battle of Naulochus, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, admiral of Octavian, defeats Sextus Pompey, son of Pompey, thus ending Pompeian resistance to the Second Triumvirate.
