Europa
- World War II: Britain and France Declare War on Germany (1939)
On September 3, 1939, following the German invasion of Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany. This marked the official beginning of World War II in Western Europe. Australia and New Zealand also joined the declaration on the same day. - Allied Invasion of Italy and Armistice (1943)
On September 3, 1943, during World War II, British and Canadian troops landed on the Italian mainland. On the same day, Italian officials signed a secret armistice with the Allies, which would be announced publicly five days later. This event marked a significant turning point in the Italian campaign. - Battle of Worcester Ends the English Civil Wars (1651)
The Battle of Worcester, fought on September 3, 1651, was the final significant action in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms (English Civil Wars). Oliver Cromwell’s forces defeated the royalist army led by Charles II, effectively ending the conflict and securing the Commonwealth in England. - Battle of Dunbar (1650)
On September 3, 1650, the New Model Army led by Oliver Cromwell achieved a decisive victory over Scottish royalists at the Battle of Dunbar, opening the way to Edinburgh during the Third English Civil War. - Great Fire of London: Royal Exchange Burns Down (1666)
On September 3, 1666, the Royal Exchange, one of London’s most important commercial buildings, was destroyed during the Great Fire of London, which devastated large parts of the city. - Founding of San Marino (301)
According to tradition, San Marino, now recognized as the world’s oldest republic still in existence, was founded on September 3, 301, by Saint Marinus. - In 1189, Richard I (Richard the Lionheart) was crowned King of England at Westminster.
- In 1411, the Treaty of Selymbria was concluded between the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Venice.
- In 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War, the Siege of Metz began, leading to a decisive Prussian victory.
America
- Treaty of Paris Ends the American Revolutionary War (1783)
On September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed between Great Britain and the United States, officially ending the American Revolutionary War. With this treaty, Britain recognized American independence and established borders for the new nation, marking a pivotal moment in U.S. history. - First Use of the U.S. Flag in Battle (1777)
During the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge on September 3, 1777, the American flag (stars and stripes), which had been approved by Congress earlier that year, was flown in battle for the first time. - Frederick Douglass Escapes Slavery (1838)
On September 3, 1838, Frederick Douglass, who would become a leading abolitionist and writer, escaped slavery by disguising himself as a sailor. - Battle of Blue Water (1855)
On this day in 1855, General William Harney led U.S. forces in an attack against Little Thunder’s Brule Sioux at the Battle of Blue Water in Nebraska, resulting in significant casualties among the Sioux. - USS Shenandoah Disaster (1925)
The USS Shenandoah, the first American-built rigid airship, was destroyed in a storm over Ohio on September 3, 1925, leading to the deaths of 14 crew members. - Viking 2 Lands on Mars (1976)
On September 3, 1976, NASA’s Viking 2 spacecraft successfully landed on Mars at Utopia Planitia, contributing valuable data to planetary science. - U.S. and China Ratify Paris Climate Agreement (2016)
On September 3, 2016, the United States and China, the world’s two largest carbon emitters, both formally ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change, marking a significant step in global environmental policy.
Asia
- China’s Victory Over Japan Commemoration
In China, September 3 is officially recognized as the day marking victory over Japan in World War II. The date is celebrated as the “Victory Day of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression,” commemorating Japan’s surrender and the end of WWII in Asia. Since 2015, this day has been observed as a national holiday in China, with nationwide memorial activities and, in some years, a public holiday to allow citizens to participate in remembrance events. - Japanese Surrender in the Philippines (1945)
On September 3, 1945, Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita formally surrendered the remaining Japanese forces in the Philippines to U.S. Army General Jonathan M. Wainwright. This surrender was a significant milestone in the conclusion of WWII in Southeast Asia, occurring one day after the official Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay. - Typhoon Disaster in the Philippines (1984)
On September 3, 1984, a devastating typhoon struck the southern Philippines, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,300 people and injuring hundreds more. It was considered the worst storm in living memory for the region. - Qatar Gains Independence (1971)
On September 3, 1971, Qatar officially declared its independence from Britain, marking a pivotal moment in the modern history of the Gulf region. - Maritime disputes and military incidents in the South China Sea have also occurred around this time, reflecting ongoing tensions in the region, though not tied to a specific September 3 event.
Africa
- Vaal Uprising in South Africa (1984)
On September 3, 1984, the Vaal Uprising took place in South Africa. This was a significant anti-apartheid protest in the Vaal Triangle townships, where residents rose up against the apartheid regime’s local government structures. The protest was met with violent repression, and it marked a turning point in the struggle against apartheid, inspiring further resistance across the country. - Execution of Five Black Soldiers (1918)
On September 3, 1918, five Black soldiers from the 24th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army were hanged for their alleged involvement in the Camp Logan Riot in Houston, Texas. While this event occurred in the United States, it is significant within the African diaspora and is remembered in African and Pan-African historical contexts for highlighting racial injustice faced by people of African descent. - Frederick Douglass Escapes Slavery (1838)
On September 3, 1838, Frederick Douglass, who would become a prominent abolitionist and leader, escaped from slavery in the United States. This event is commemorated in African and African diaspora history as a symbol of resistance and the ongoing struggle for freedom and civil rights.
This day in history: 3 september