May 3rd is the 123rd day of the year (124th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 242 days remaining until the end of the year.

Historical Events on May 3rd
- 1494 – Christopher Columbus discovers Jamaica.
- 1794 – Tadeusz Kościuszko leads an insurrection against Russian rule in Poland.
- 1808 – The Madrid uprising against French occupation begins.
- 1849 – The California Gold Rush begins when gold is discovered at Sutter’s Mill.
- 1937 – The Hindenburg disaster: A German airship explodes and crashes in Lakehurst, New Jersey, killing 36 people.
- 1945 – World War II ends in Europe with the surrender of Germany.
- 1960 – The United States launches the U-2 spy plane program.
- 1979 – Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
- 1986 – The Chernobyl disaster: A nuclear reactor explosion in Ukraine kills 31 people and causes widespread contamination.
- 2007 – Madeleine McCann, a three-year-old British girl, disappears from her family’s holiday apartment in Portugal.
Famous Birthdays on May 3rd
- 1720 – Adam Smith, Scottish economist and philosopher (d. 1790)
- 1781 – Vincenzo Bellini, Italian composer (d. 1835)
- 1867 – Ivar Kreuger, Swedish businessman and match king (d. 1932)
- 1898 – Golda Meir, fourth Prime Minister of Israel (d. 1978)
- 1903 – Bing Crosby, American singer (d. 1977)
- 1921 – Audrey Hepburn, British actress (d. 1993)
- 1923 – Jimmy Swaggart, American televangelist
- 1933 – James Brown, American singer (d. 2006)
- 1951 – Christopher Cross, American singer-songwriter
- 1965 – Jürgen Klinsmann, German footballer and coach
Holidays and Observances on May 3rd
- Constitution Day (Poland)
- Sun Day (United States)
- World Press Freedom Day
- International Workers’ Day (observed in some countries)
Common Mistakes to Avoid on May 3rd
- Don’t forget to celebrate World Press Freedom Day. This day is a reminder of the importance of a free and independent press.
- Don’t wear green to a Cinco de Mayo party. Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday that commemorates the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is not a day to celebrate Irish heritage.
- Don’t drink and drive. If you are planning on drinking alcohol on May 3rd, please make sure to have a designated driver or take a taxi.
How to Celebrate May 3rd
- Attend a World Press Freedom Day event. Many organizations around the world host events on May 3rd to raise awareness of the importance of a free press.
- Support independent journalism. Subscribe to a local newspaper or donate to a non-profit news organization.
- Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with friends and family. Enjoy a Mexican meal, listen to mariachi music, and dance the night away.
- Have a picnic in the park. May 3rd is a great day to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. Pack a lunch and head to your local park for some fun and relaxation.
- Watch a movie. There are many great movies set on May 3rd. Some popular choices include “The Great Gatsby,” “The Godfather,” and “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.”
Creative New Word for May 3rd
Triduum (n.) A period of three days, especially a period of religious observance.
This word could be used to create new applications, such as:
- A triduum planner that helps users plan and track their religious observances.
- A triduum journal that allows users to reflect on their religious experiences.
- A triduum app that provides users with daily prayers, meditations, and other resources for religious observance.
Useful Tables
Month | Days in Month | Days Remaining in Year |
---|---|---|
January | 31 | 334 |
February | 28 (29 in leap years) | 303 (304 in leap years) |
March | 31 | 273 |
April | 30 | 243 |
May | 31 | 212 |
June | 30 | 182 |
July | 31 | 153 |
August | 31 | 122 |
September | 30 | 92 |
October | 31 | 61 |
November | 30 | 30 |
December | 31 | 0 |
Day of Week | Abbreviated Name |
---|---|
Sunday | Sun |
Monday | Mon |
Tuesday | Tue |
Wednesday | Wed |
Thursday | Thu |
Friday | Fri |
Saturday | Sat |
Zodiac Sign | Dates |
---|---|
Aries | March 21 – April 19 |
Taurus | April 20 – May 20 |
Gemini | May 21 – June 21 |
Cancer | June 22 – July 22 |
Leo | July 23 – August 22 |
Virgo | August 23 – September 22 |
Libra | September 23 – October 23 |
Scorpio | October 24 – November 21 |
Sagittarius | November 22 – December 21 |
Capricorn | December 22 – January 19 |
Aquarius | January 20 – February 18 |
Pisces | February 19 – March 20 |