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September 3

September 3 is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years) in the , with 119 days remaining, and is distinguished by landmark events including the 1783 signing of the , which concluded the and secured British acknowledgment of independence from . On this date in 1939, the and declared war on Germany following its , thereby commencing in as the Allied powers mobilized against Axis aggression. Additional consequential occurrences on September 3 encompass military and exploratory milestones, such as the 36 BC , where Roman forces under defeated Pompeian remnants, solidifying Octavian's dominance in the Roman Republic's civil strife; the 1651 , which dismantled the last major Royalist opposition in the and facilitated Oliver Cromwell's consolidation of power; and the 1976 successful landing of on Mars, the second U.S. spacecraft to achieve a soft touchdown on the planet and transmit surface imagery for over three years. Modern developments include Qatar's 1971 attainment of sovereignty from the and the 1995 establishment of , an early pioneer in platforms that reshaped . The date also features observances like San Marino's Foundation Day, commemorating the republic's legendary establishment in 301 AD as one of the world's oldest surviving sovereign states, alongside lesser-recognized national designations such as Skyscraper Day—honoring architect Louis Sullivan's birth in 1856 and his foundational role in modern high-rise design—and in select countries, acknowledging seafaring contributions to trade and defense. Notable births include automobile designer in 1875, whose engineering innovations birthed the brand and influenced military vehicles like the , while prominent deaths encompass leader in 1658 and American football coach in 1970, whose strategic philosophies defined success.

Events

Pre-1600

In 590, Gregory I, later known as Gregory the Great, was consecrated as Bishop of Rome following the death of his predecessor, Pelagius II, amid a outbreak in the city. Gregory, a Roman aristocrat who had entered monastic life and served as a and , reluctantly accepted the role after attempting to flee the city; his , lasting until 604, emphasized , liturgical reforms, and missionary efforts, including the conversion of Anglo-Saxon England. On September 3, 1189, , known as , was crowned King of at , marking the first coronation for which a detailed contemporary account survives. Having succeeded his father, , after a period of rebellion and reconciliation, Richard's ceremony included traditional rituals such as anointing with holy oil and crowning with St. Edward's regalia; the event, however, was marred by omens like a faulty standard and sparked immediate anti-Jewish pogroms in , fueled by rumors of Jewish attendance. Richard ruled briefly before departing for the Third Crusade, prioritizing his Angevin territories and military campaigns.

1601–1900

On September 3, 1650, Oliver Cromwell's achieved a decisive victory over Scottish Covenanter forces commanded by David Leslie at the Battle of Dunbar in , , during the ; the English forces, numbering around 14,000, routed a larger Scottish army of approximately 22,000, resulting in over 3,000 Scottish casualties and the capture of 10,000 prisoners, which facilitated Cromwell's subsequent conquest of . Exactly one year later, on September 3, 1651, Cromwell's army of about 28,000 defeated a Royalist force of roughly 16,000 under at the in , , marking the final major engagement of the ; the battle involved intense fighting across the city and surrounding areas, with Royalist losses exceeding 2,000 killed or captured, forcing into hiding and eventual exile, thereby securing Parliamentarian control over , , and . In Britain and its colonies, September 3, 1752, was the first of 11 consecutive days omitted under the provisions of the Calendar (New Style) Act 1750, which aligned the Julian calendar with the more accurate Gregorian system by advancing the date from September 2 directly to September 14; this adjustment corrected a cumulative discrepancy of 11 days accumulated since 1582, though it prompted some public confusion and isolated protests over perceived lost time, without widespread riots as sometimes mythologized. On September 3, 1783, representatives of the —including , , and —and signed the in , , formally concluding the ; the agreement recognized American independence, established U.S. boundaries from the Atlantic to the , granted fishing rights off Newfoundland, and required to withdraw forces from American territory, while the U.S. agreed to recommend honor pre-war debts and restore confiscated Loyalist property. The French National Assembly adopted the Constitution of 1791 on September 3, establishing France's first written constitution and transforming the into a constitutional one with legislative power vested in a unicameral elected by active male citizens (those paying direct taxes); it limited the king's veto power to suspensive rather than absolute and emphasized , though it preserved significant monarchical authority and excluded women and non-taxpaying males from voting rights.

1901–present

On September 3, 1901, during the Second Boer War, Boer commando forces under General conducted the first raid into the British-held , entering at Kiba Drift and initiating guerrilla incursions that prolonged the conflict. The reached its pre-crash peak of 381.17 on September 3, 1929, marking the height of the U.S. before a sustained decline culminated in the October crash and the . September 3, 1939: In response to Nazi 's invasion of on , the and formally declared war on , fulfilling their alliance obligations and commencing active hostilities in , though initial combat remained limited until subsequent invasions. On September 3, 1943, the Kingdom of , under Marshal , signed an armistice with the Allies aboard the USS Nelson off , leading to Italy's withdrawal from the Axis alliance; German forces promptly occupied much of the country, escalating fighting on the Italian front. Qatar achieved independence from the on September 3, 1971, ending status established in 1916 and establishing the State of under Emir , amid regional federation negotiations that excluded it from the . The in North Ossetia, , concluded violently on September 3, 2004, when Russian security forces stormed the building holding over 1,100 hostages seized by Chechen militants on ; the operation resulted in 334 deaths, including 186 children, amid explosions and gunfire. William Rehnquist, of the since 1986, died on September 3, 2005, at age 80 from , having served 33 years on the and shaped its conservative jurisprudence on and .

Births

Pre-1600

In 590, Gregory I, later known as Gregory the Great, was consecrated as Bishop of following the death of his predecessor, Pelagius II, amid a outbreak in the city. Gregory, a Roman aristocrat who had entered monastic life and served as a deacon and , reluctantly accepted the role after attempting to flee the city; his pontificate, lasting until 604, emphasized pastoral care, liturgical reforms, and missionary efforts, including the conversion of Anglo-Saxon . On September 3, 1189, , known as Richard the Lionheart, was crowned King of at , marking the first coronation for which a detailed contemporary account survives. Having succeeded his father, , after a period of rebellion and reconciliation, Richard's ceremony included traditional rituals such as anointing with holy oil and crowning with St. Edward's regalia; the event, however, was marred by omens like a faulty standard and sparked immediate anti-Jewish pogroms in , fueled by rumors of Jewish attendance. Richard ruled briefly before departing for the Third Crusade, prioritizing his territories and military campaigns.

1601–1900

On September 3, 1650, Oliver Cromwell's achieved a decisive victory over Scottish Covenanter forces commanded by David Leslie at the Battle of Dunbar in , , during the ; the English forces, numbering around 14,000, routed a larger Scottish army of approximately 22,000, resulting in over 3,000 Scottish casualties and the capture of 10,000 prisoners, which facilitated Cromwell's subsequent conquest of . Exactly one year later, on September 3, 1651, Cromwell's army of about 28,000 defeated a force of roughly 16,000 under at the in , , marking the final major engagement of the ; the battle involved intense fighting across the city and surrounding areas, with losses exceeding 2,000 killed or captured, forcing into hiding and eventual exile, thereby securing control over , , and . In Britain and its colonies, September 3, 1752, was the first of 11 consecutive days omitted under the provisions of the Calendar (New Style) Act 1750, which aligned the Julian calendar with the more accurate Gregorian system by advancing the date from September 2 directly to September 14; this adjustment corrected a cumulative discrepancy of 11 days accumulated since 1582, though it prompted some public confusion and isolated protests over perceived lost time, without widespread riots as sometimes mythologized. On September 3, 1783, representatives of the —including , , and —and signed the in , , formally concluding the ; the agreement recognized American independence, established U.S. boundaries from the Atlantic to the , granted fishing rights off Newfoundland, and required to withdraw forces from American territory, while the U.S. agreed to recommend honor pre-war debts and restore confiscated Loyalist property. The French National Assembly adopted the Constitution of 1791 on September 3, establishing France's first written constitution and transforming the into a constitutional one with legislative power vested in a unicameral elected by active male citizens (those paying direct taxes); it limited the king's veto power to suspensive rather than absolute and emphasized , though it preserved significant monarchical authority and excluded women and non-taxpaying males from voting rights.

1901–present

On September 3, 1901, during the Second Boer War, Boer commando forces under General conducted the first raid into the British-held , entering at Kiba Drift and initiating guerrilla incursions that prolonged the conflict. The reached its pre-crash peak of 381.17 on September 3, 1929, marking the height of the U.S. before a sustained decline culminated in the October crash and the . September 3, 1939: In response to Nazi 's invasion of on September 1, the and formally declared war on Germany, fulfilling their alliance obligations and commencing active hostilities in , though initial combat remained limited until subsequent invasions. On September 3, 1943, the Kingdom of , under Marshal , signed an armistice with the Allies aboard the USS Nelson off , leading to Italy's withdrawal from the Axis alliance; German forces promptly occupied much of the country, escalating fighting on the Italian front. Qatar achieved independence from the on September 3, 1971, ending status established in 1916 and establishing the State of under Emir , amid regional federation negotiations that excluded it from the . The in North Ossetia, , concluded violently on September 3, 2004, when Russian security forces stormed the building holding over 1,100 hostages seized by Chechen militants on ; the operation resulted in 334 deaths, including 186 children, amid explosions and gunfire. William Rehnquist, of the since 1986, died on September 3, 2005, at age 80 from , having served 33 years on the and shaped its conservative jurisprudence on and .

Deaths

Pre-1600

In 590, Gregory I, later known as Gregory the Great, was consecrated as Bishop of following the death of his predecessor, Pelagius II, amid a outbreak in the city. Gregory, a aristocrat who had entered monastic life and served as a and , reluctantly accepted the role after attempting to flee the city; his pontificate, lasting until 604, emphasized , liturgical reforms, and missionary efforts, including the conversion of Anglo-Saxon . On September 3, 1189, , known as , was crowned King of at , marking the first coronation for which a detailed contemporary account survives. Having succeeded his father, , after a period of rebellion and reconciliation, Richard's ceremony included traditional rituals such as anointing with holy oil and crowning with St. Edward's regalia; the event, however, was marred by omens like a faulty standard and sparked immediate anti-Jewish pogroms in , fueled by rumors of Jewish attendance. Richard ruled briefly before departing for the Third Crusade, prioritizing his territories and military campaigns.

1601–1900

On September 3, 1650, Oliver Cromwell's achieved a decisive victory over Scottish Covenanter forces commanded by David Leslie at the Battle of Dunbar in , , during the ; the English forces, numbering around 14,000, routed a larger Scottish army of approximately 22,000, resulting in over 3,000 Scottish casualties and the capture of 10,000 prisoners, which facilitated Cromwell's subsequent conquest of . Exactly one year later, on September 3, 1651, Cromwell's army of about 28,000 defeated a force of roughly 16,000 under at the in , , marking the final major engagement of the ; the battle involved intense fighting across the city and surrounding areas, with losses exceeding 2,000 killed or captured, forcing into hiding and eventual exile, thereby securing Parliamentarian control over , , and . In Britain and its colonies, September 3, 1752, was the first of 11 consecutive days omitted under the provisions of the Calendar (New Style) Act 1750, which aligned the Julian calendar with the more accurate Gregorian system by advancing the date from September 2 directly to September 14; this adjustment corrected a cumulative discrepancy of 11 days accumulated since 1582, though it prompted some public confusion and isolated protests over perceived lost time, without widespread riots as sometimes mythologized. On September 3, 1783, representatives of the —including , , and —and signed the in , , formally concluding the ; the agreement recognized American independence, established U.S. boundaries from the Atlantic to the , granted fishing rights off Newfoundland, and required to withdraw forces from American territory, while the U.S. agreed to recommend honor pre-war debts and restore confiscated Loyalist property. The French National Assembly adopted the Constitution of 1791 on September 3, establishing France's first written constitution and transforming the into a constitutional one with legislative power vested in a unicameral elected by active male citizens (those paying direct taxes); it limited the king's veto power to suspensive rather than absolute and emphasized , though it preserved significant monarchical authority and excluded women and non-taxpaying males from voting rights.

1901–present

On September 3, 1901, during the Second Boer War, Boer commando forces under General conducted the first raid into the British-held , entering at Kiba Drift and initiating guerrilla incursions that prolonged the conflict. The reached its pre-crash peak of 381.17 on September 3, 1929, marking the height of the U.S. before a sustained decline culminated in the October crash and the . September 3, 1939: In response to Nazi 's invasion of on September 1, the and formally declared war on , fulfilling their alliance obligations and commencing active hostilities in , though initial combat remained limited until subsequent invasions. On September 3, 1943, the Kingdom of , under Marshal , signed an armistice with the Allies aboard the USS Nelson off , leading to Italy's withdrawal from the Axis alliance; German forces promptly occupied much of the country, escalating fighting on the Italian front. Qatar achieved independence from the on September 3, 1971, ending status established in 1916 and establishing the State of under Emir , amid regional federation negotiations that excluded it from the . The in North Ossetia, , concluded violently on September 3, 2004, when Russian security forces stormed the building holding over 1,100 hostages seized by Chechen militants on ; the operation resulted in 334 deaths, including 186 children, amid explosions and gunfire. William Rehnquist, of the since 1986, died on September 3, 2005, at age 80 from , having served 33 years on the and shaped its conservative on and .

Holidays and observances

Religious observances

In the , September 3 is the memorial of Pope Saint Gregory the Great (c. 540–604), a noted for his pastoral governance during a period of political instability in , his emphasis on clerical reform, and his role in evangelizing Anglo-Saxon through the mission of in 597. Gregory's writings, including Moralia in Job and , influenced medieval theology and administration, while liturgical elements attributed to him, such as the Gregorian sacramentary and early forms of chant, shaped Western Christian worship. Certain traditional Catholic calendars also commemorate secondary figures on this date, including Saint Pius X (1835–1914), pope from 1903 to 1914, whose feast was historically observed here before reassignment to in the post-Vatican II revisions; he is remembered for combating and promoting frequent reception of Holy Communion. Other saints venerated regionally include (3rd century), a Dalmatian stonecutter traditionally regarded as the founder of the Republic of San Marino, and Saint Remaclus (c. 600–673), a Belgian associated with monastic foundations. In the Islamic tradition, the observance of Mawlid al-Nabi (birthday of Prophet Muhammad) may coincide with September 3 in certain years due to the lunar Hijri calendar's variability, prompting recitations of the Madh al-Nabi (praise poetry) and charitable acts in Sunni communities, though typically mark it on a different date and with less emphasis; exact alignment depends on moon-sighting and regional conventions.

National holidays

In San Marino, September 3 is celebrated as (also known as or ), a commemorating the traditional founding of the in 301 AD by the Christian stonemason , who sought refuge from on Mount Titano. The day honors 's status as one of the world's oldest surviving sovereign states and republics, with continuous independence since its establishment, predating many modern constitutions. Public observances include religious processions, fireworks, cultural events, and the investiture of new in some years, though the core holiday focuses on rather than elected officials. Government offices, schools, and businesses close, allowing participation in festivities across the republic's nine municipalities. No other countries designate September 3 as a standard annual equivalent to a with universal day off, though observances like China's (established 2014 to mark the 1945 surrender) involve state ceremonies but lack routine public closures outside anniversary years. Similarly, Taiwan's on the same date features military events but is not a , with normal business operations.

Other observances

National Day is observed annually on September 3 to recognize advancements in high-rise architecture and engineering, often highlighting iconic structures like the , which was completed in 1931 but symbolically tied to the era's innovations. Day, commemorating the sacrifices and service of merchant seafarers during wartime and peacetime, is marked on this date in countries including and the , with events such as wreath-laying ceremonies and flag-hoisting at ports. International Cabernet Day celebrates the grape variety, originating from a 2011 initiative by wine blogger Alyssa Rapp to promote the wine through tastings and campaigns worldwide. In , Literacy Day falls on the first Wednesday of September, which coincided with September 3 in years such as 2025, focusing on programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through reading events and donations.

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