This day in history: 3 july

French Invasion of the Roman Republic (1849)
On July 3, 1849, France invaded the Roman Republic and restored the Papal States, ending the short-lived republican government in Rome.
Return of the Stone of Scone to Scotland (1996)
On July 3, 1996, the Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny and a symbol of Scottish nationhood, was confirmed to be returned to Scotland from Westminster Abbey. The stone had been used in the coronation of British monarchs for centuries after being taken from Scotland in 1296.
France-Turkey Pact on Sanjak of Alexandretta (1938)
On July 3, 1938, France and Turkey signed a pact regarding the Sanjak of Alexandretta (now Hatay), agreeing to settle the region’s future through an election, a key diplomatic event affecting European and Middle Eastern borders.
World Record for Steam Locomotives (1938)
On the same day in 1938, the British locomotive Mallard set a new world speed record for steam engines, reaching 126 miles per hour.

Battle of Gettysburg Ends (1863)
On July 3, 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg concluded with a decisive victory for Union forces. This three-day battle was the bloodiest of the American Civil War, resulting in more than 50,000 casualties and marking a crucial turning point in the conflict. The Union victory forced Confederate troops to retreat, significantly weakening their campaign in the North.
George Washington Assumes Command of the Continental Army (1775)
On July 3, 1775, George Washington officially took command of the Continental Army in Cambridge, Massachusetts, during the American Revolution. This moment established Washington as the military leader of the colonial forces fighting for independence from Britain.
Founding of Quebec City (1608)
On July 3, 1608, Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec City, establishing the first permanent European settlement in Canada. This event marked the beginning of French colonial presence in North America.
1856: The U.S. House of Representatives voted to admit Kansas to statehood under the antislavery Topeka Constitution, despite opposition from the Senate and President Franklin Pierce.
1985: The film Back to the Future premiered in American theaters, becoming a major pop culture phenomenon.
2012: The death of Andy Griffith, a beloved American actor and singer, was noted on this day.

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge Completed (1988)
On July 3, 1988, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, was completed. This bridge became the second to span the Bosporus Strait, physically connecting the continents of Europe and Asia and serving as a significant symbol of Istanbul’s role as a crossroads between the two continents.
Treaty of Wanghia Signed Between the U.S. and China (1844)
On July 3, 1844, the Treaty of Wanghia was signed between the United States and the Qing Dynasty of China. This treaty marked the first formal agreement between the two nations, granting the U.S. trading rights in several Chinese ports and establishing extraterritoriality for U.S. citizens in China. The treaty was a major milestone in the era of Western powers seeking commercial and diplomatic access to China, influencing the region’s subsequent history.

Heroes’ Day in Zambia
July 3 is celebrated as Heroes’ Day in Zambia. This national holiday honors the country’s freedom fighters and those who contributed to Zambia’s independence and nation-building. It is a day of remembrance and national pride, marked by ceremonies and tributes across the country.
Notable Incidents in Nigeria
On July 3, 2010, gunmen attacked two cargo vessels off the coast of Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta, resulting in the death of one crew member and the kidnapping of twelve foreign workers.
On July 3, 2011, a bomb attack occurred in Maiduguri, Nigeria, near a police barracks, killing eight people and injuring fifteen.
Diaspora and Black History
On July 3, 1950, The Hazel Scott Show premiered in the United States, making Trinidadian-born Hazel Scott the first African American woman to host her own television show. While this event took place in the diaspora, it is a significant milestone in global Black history and culture.
Astronomical Event
On July 3, 2023, the Full Buck Supermoon was visible, an astronomical event noted in Africa and worldwide.