On May 3, history unfolds with a tapestry of significant events and notable figures. From the birth of influential minds like Niccolò Machiavelli in 1469 to groundbreaking moments such as the first jet landing on a carrier in 1952, this date holds a wealth of stories. What other pivotal events shaped this day across centuries? Uncover the layers of time that mark May 3 as truly remarkable.
History
Major Historical Events
1469 – Birth of Niccolò Machiavelli: On this day in 1469, the renowned Italian political philosopher and writer Niccolò Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy.
His most famous work, “The Prince,” published posthumously in 1532, remains a seminal text on political theory and realpolitik.
1937 – Publication of “Gone with the Wind” Wins Pulitzer Prize: Margaret Mitchell’s epic novel “Gone with the Wind” won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction on May 3, 1937.
The book, which depicts the American Civil War and Reconstruction era through the life of Scarlett O’Hara, became an instant classic and was later adapted into an iconic film.
1952 – First Landing of a Jet on an Aircraft Carrier: On May 3, 1952, a significant milestone in aviation history occurred when a British pilot, Lieutenant Commander Michael Lithgow, successfully landed a jet aircraft, the de Havilland Vampire, on the deck of the HMS Ocean.
This marked one of the earliest jet landings on an aircraft carrier.
1978 – First Unsolicited Bulk Email Sent (Spam): The first recorded instance of spam email was sent on May 3, 1978, by Gary Thuerk, a marketer for Digital Equipment Corporation.
He sent an advertisement to around 400 users on the ARPANET, sparking outrage and setting a precedent for the flood of unsolicited emails we recognize today.
1986 – Chernobyl Disaster Death Toll Announced: On May 3, 1986, Soviet authorities announced the first official death toll from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, reporting 31 fatalities.
Though the long-term impact on health and the environment would prove far more devastating over the following decades.
Famous Birthdays
1903 – Bing Crosby: The legendary American singer and actor Bing Crosby was born on May 3, 1903, in Tacoma, Washington.
Known for his smooth voice and hits like “White Christmas,” Crosby became one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century.
1933 – James Brown: On this day in 1933, James Brown, often called the “Godfather of Funk,” was born in Barnwell, South Carolina.
His dynamic performances and songs like “I Got You (I Feel Good)” revolutionized music and influenced countless artists.
1965 – Rob Brydon: Welsh actor, comedian, and presenter Rob Brydon was born on May 3, 1965, in Baglan, Wales.
He is best known for his roles in shows like “Gavin & Stacey” and for hosting the comedy panel show “Would I Lie to You?”
1985 – Greg Raposo: American singer and actor Greg Raposo, a former member of the boy band Dream Street, was born on May 3, 1985, in Manhasset, New York.
He gained fame as a teen idol in the early 2000s before shifting to solo projects.
Notable Deaths
1481 – Mehmed II: On May 3, 1481, Mehmed II, the Ottoman Sultan who conquered Constantinople in 1453, passed away.
His reign marked a significant expansion of the Ottoman Empire and the end of the Byzantine Empire.
1856 – Adolphe Adam: French composer Adolphe Adam, known for his ballet “Giselle” and the Christmas carol “O Holy Night,” died on May 3, 1856, in Paris, France.
His contributions to music remain celebrated worldwide.
1991 – Jerzy Kosiński: Polish-American novelist Jerzy Kosiński, author of “The Painted Bird,” died on May 3, 1991, in New York City.
His works often explored themes of trauma and survival, drawing from his experiences during World War II.
Today in Music History
1965 – The Beatles Filming “Help!”: On May 3, 1965, The Beatles began filming scenes for their second feature film, “Help!,” in Twickenham, England.
The movie, a comedic adventure, showcased the band’s humor alongside their hit songs.
1976 – Paul McCartney’s Wings Tour Kicks Off: Paul McCartney and his band Wings started their “Wings Over America” tour on May 3, 1976, in Fort Worth, Texas.
This tour marked one of the largest and most successful post-Beatles endeavors for McCartney.
2004 – Gerry and the Pacemakers Honored: On May 3, 2004, Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers received an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his contributions to music and charity.
This was particularly through his work with Liverpool’s community.
Today in Sports History
1951 – Sam Snead Wins PGA Tournament: On May 3, 1951, American golfer Sam Snead won the PGA Championship, adding to his impressive record of seven major titles.
His victory showcased his dominance in the sport during the mid-20th century.
1970 – Lasse Virén Born: Finnish long-distance runner Lasse Virén, who would go on to win four Olympic gold medals in the 1972 and 1976 Games, was born on May 3, 1970, in Myrskylä, Finland.
His achievements made him a national hero.
2007 – Roger Clemens Returns to Yankees: On May 3, 2007, pitcher Roger Clemens announced his return to the New York Yankees, signing a prorated one-year contract.
His comeback added to his storied career as one of baseball’s greatest pitchers.
2019 – Maximum Security Disqualified at Kentucky Derby: On May 3, 2019, Maximum Security became the first horse in Kentucky Derby history to be disqualified for interference after initially crossing the finish line first.
Country House was declared the winner in a historic upset.
Today in Military and Naval History
1808 – Peninsular War Escalates: On May 3, 1808, during the Peninsular War, Spanish forces executed French prisoners in retaliation for French brutality in Madrid.
This intensified the conflict between Napoleon’s forces and Spanish resistance.
1942 – Battle of the Coral Sea Begins: On May 3, 1942, the Battle of the Coral Sea commenced in the Pacific Theater of World War II.
This naval engagement between Allied and Japanese forces was a pivotal moment, marking the first battle fought entirely by aircraft carriers.
1982 – Falklands War Naval Loss: During the Falklands War on May 3, 1982, the British destroyer HMS Sheffield was hit by an Argentine Exocet missile.
This resulted in significant casualties and damage, serving as a stark reminder of modern naval warfare’s dangers.
Today in Tech and Science History
1978 – First Spam Email Sent: As previously mentioned, on May 3, 1978, Gary Thuerk sent the first unsolicited bulk email to ARPANET users, advertising a new computer system.
This event marked the beginning of the spam email era.
2000 – Geocaching Begins: On May 3, 2000, the first geocache was hidden by Dave Ulmer in Oregon, USA.
This launched the global treasure-hunting game of geocaching, using GPS technology where participants locate hidden containers worldwide.
2016 – SpaceX Announces Mars Mission Plans: On May 3, 2016, Elon Musk’s SpaceX reiterated ambitious plans to send humans to Mars by the 2020s.
This vision continues to drive innovation in space exploration technology.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1937 – “Gone with the Wind” Pulitzer Win: As noted earlier, Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone with the Wind” received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction on May 3, 1937.
This cemented its place as a cultural touchstone in American literature.
1960 – “The Fantasticks” Opens Off-Broadway: On May 3, 1960, the musical “The Fantasticks” premiered off-Broadway in New York City.
It became the longest-running musical in the world, fascinating audiences with its simple yet profound story.
2001 – “The Mummy Returns” Released: The action-adventure film “The Mummy Returns,” starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, premiered on May 3, 2001.
It became a box office hit and expanded the popular franchise.
2012 – MCA of Beastie Boys Passes Away: Adam Yauch, known as MCA of the Beastie Boys, died on May 3, 2012.
His contributions to hip-hop and activism left a lasting impact on music and culture.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1855 – First Recorded Use of a Fire Pole: On May 3, 1855, a fire station in New York City reportedly installed one of the first sliding poles for firefighters to descend quickly from upper floors.
This was a quirky yet practical innovation still associated with firehouses today.
1926 – Satchel Paige’s Odd Baseball Debut: On May 3, 1926, legendary pitcher Satchel Paige made an unusual debut with the Chattanooga Black Lookouts.
He reportedly struck out batters while calling his outfielders to sit down, showcasing his confidence and flair.
1973 – Sears Tower Becomes Tallest Building: On May 3, 1973, the Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) in Chicago was topped out as the world’s tallest building at the time.
Its record held for nearly 25 years, and its dizzying height made many visitors humorously nervous.
Today in History for Kids
1469 – A Famous Thinker is Born: Kids, did you know that on May 3, 1469, a man named Niccolò Machiavelli was born in Italy?
He wrote a book called “The Prince” that taught leaders how to be clever and strong, kind of like a guide for kings and queens!
1937 – A Big Book Wins a Prize: On this day in 1937, a story called “Gone with the Wind” won a huge award called the Pulitzer Prize.
It’s about a brave girl named Scarlett during a tough time in America’s history.
2000 – A Treasure Hunt Game Starts: Imagine hiding a treasure box and giving friends clues to find it!
On May 3, 2000, a game called geocaching started, where people use gadgets to hunt for hidden treasures all over the world.
2019 – A Horse Race Surprise: On May 3, 2019, a horse named Maximum Security thought it won the big Kentucky Derby race.
But the judges said another horse, Country House, was the real winner, making it a huge surprise!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
Did You Know? First Spam Email: The very first spam email, sent on May 3, 1978, annoyed so many people that the sender didn’t realize he’d started a trend that would clog inboxes for decades to come.
Did You Know? Longest-Running Musical: “The Fantasticks,” which opened on May 3, 1960, ran for over 42 years in its original off-Broadway production.
It had more than 17,000 performances—talk about staying power!
Did You Know? A Towering Achievement: When the Sears Tower was completed on May 3, 1973, it wasn’t just the tallest building.
Its skydeck offered views so high that some visitors could see four different states on a clear day.
Did You Know? Beatles’ Movie Magic: On May 3, 1965, when The Beatles started filming “Help!,” they didn’t just sing.
They also got to act silly, pretending to be chased by spies and secret cults in exotic locations.
Did You Know? Geocaching’s Global Reach: Since its start on May 3, 2000, geocaching has grown into a worldwide hobby with millions of hidden caches.
Some are even in super tricky spots like underwater or on mountaintops!