May 3 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.
Notable events that occurred on May 3
- 1494: Christopher Columbus discovers Jamaica.
- 1789: The first United States Congress convenes in New York City.
- 1802: The United States Military Academy at West Point is founded.
- 1861: The first Pony Express mail route is established between Sacramento, California and St. Joseph, Missouri.
- 1886: Haymarket Square riot in Chicago, Illinois, leads to the deaths of seven police officers and four civilians.
- 1937: The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, officially opens.
- 1945: The United Kingdom’s Labour Party wins a landslide victory in the general election.
- 1960: The U-2 spy plane incident occurs, when a U.S. spy plane is shot down over the Soviet Union.
- 1971: The People’s Republic of China is admitted to the United Nations.
- 1986: The Space Shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after takeoff, killing all seven crew members.
- 2007: Madeleine McCann, a three-year-old British girl, disappears while on vacation in Portugal.
Famous people born on May 3
- 1813: Karl Marx, German philosopher, economist, and sociologist
- 1849: William Morris, English artist, writer, and socialist
- 1898: Golda Meir, Israeli Prime Minister
- 1903: Bing Crosby, American singer and actor
- 1921: Mel Ferrer, American actor and director
- 1933: James Brown, American singer, songwriter, and bandleader
- 1940: Brian Jones, English musician (The Rolling Stones)
- 1950: Rick Wakeman, English musician (Yes)
- 1960: Michael Moore, American filmmaker
- 1973: Michael Schumacher, German Formula One driver
- 1989: Keira Knightley, English actress
Famous people who died on May 3
- 1481: Muhammad II the Conqueror, Ottoman Sultan
- 1704: Henry Purcell, English composer
- 1856: Adolphe Adam, French composer
- 1945: Vidkun Quisling, Norwegian Nazi leader
- 1977: Bing Crosby, American singer and actor
- 1987: Dalida, French singer
- 1991: Jeremy Thorpe, British politician
- 2004: Frankie Lymon, American singer (The Teenagers)
- 2015: B.B. King, American blues musician
- 2016: Pat Conroy, American author
Holidays and observances celebrated on May 3
- International Workers’ Day (also known as May Day)
- Constitution Day (Poland)
- Freedom of the Press Day (United States)
- World Press Freedom Day
- Saint Philip and Saint James Day (Christian feast day)
Fun facts about May 3
- May 3 is the only day of the year that is spelled the same backwards and forwards.
- May 3 is the birthday of the United States Postal Service.
- The first Mother’s Day was celebrated in the United States on May 3, 1908.
- The Kentucky Derby is always held on the first Saturday in May, which means it can sometimes fall on May 3.
- The Cinco de Mayo holiday is celebrated on May 5, but it actually commemorates the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 3, 1862.
Tips for celebrating May 3
- Attend a May Day parade or festival.
- Read a book about labor history.
- Support a local business by buying a gift or having a meal out.
- Write a letter to your elected officials about an issue you care about.
- Spend time with your family and friends.
Conclusion
May 3 is a day with a lot of history and significance. It is a day to celebrate workers’ rights, freedom of the press, and the importance of family and friends. It is also a day to remember the many famous people who were born and died on this day.