Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
December 3 Thursday, December 3, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on December 3 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
2
Holidays
1800
Politics 226 years ago
United States presidential election: The Electoral College casts votes for president and vice president that result in a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr.
The Electoral College produces a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, sending the presidential election to the House of Representatives.
History
What happened on December 3
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 915Religion
Pope John X crowns Berengar I of Italy as Holy Roman Emperor (probable date).
Pope John X crowns Berengar I as Holy Roman Emperor in a ceremony that solidifies the emperor's religious authority.
- 1775US history
American Revolution: USS Alfred becomes the first vessel to fly the Continental Union Flag (precursor to the "Stars and Stripes"); the flag is hoisted by John Paul Jones.
John Paul Jones hoists the Continental Union Flag on USS Alfred, marking it as the first ship to fly what would become a precursor to the Stars and Stripes.
- 1799War
War of the Second Coalition: Battle of Wiesloch: Austrian Lieutenant Field Marshal Anton Sztáray defeats the French at Wiesloch.
Austrian Lieutenant Field Marshal Anton Sztáray defeats the French in the Battle of Wiesloch during the War of the Second Coalition.
- 1800Politics
United States presidential election: The Electoral College casts votes for president and vice president that result in a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr.
The Electoral College produces a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, sending the presidential election to the House of Representatives.
- 1834European history
The Zollverein (German Customs Union) begins the first regular census in Germany.
The Zollverein initiates Germany's first systematic population count.
- 1904Science
The Jovian moon Himalia is discovered by Charles Dillon Perrine at California's Lick Observatory.
Charles Dillon Perrine discovers the Jovian moon Himalia using a telescope at California's Lick Observatory.
- 1929US history
President Herbert Hoover delivers his first State of the Union message to Congress. It is presented in the form of a written message rather than a speech.
Herbert Hoover presents his first State of the Union as a written message to Congress instead of an oral address.
- 2012Disaster
At least 475 people are killed after Typhoon Bopha makes landfall in the Philippines.
Typhoon Bopha kills at least 475 people upon making landfall in the Philippines.
- 2014Science
The Japanese space agency, JAXA, launches the space explorer Hayabusa2 from the Tanegashima Space Center on a six-year round trip mission to an asteroid to collect rock samples.
JAXA launches Hayabusa2 from Tanegashima for a six-year mission to collect and return asteroid samples.
- 2022Disaster
Massive power outage after Moore County substation attack that leaves 45,000 people without power for five days, leading to an FBI probe.
Gunfire damages electrical equipment at two substations in Moore County, North Carolina, leaving 45,000 residents without power for five days and triggering an FBI investigation.
- 2023Disaster
Mount Marapi located in West Sumatra, Indonesia begins a sporadic series of eruptions. 23 people were killed, and 12 were injured.
Mount Marapi erupts in West Sumatra, killing 23 and injuring 12.
- 2024Politics
Martial law is declared in South Korea.
President Yoon Suk Yeol declares martial law in South Korea, citing threats from North Korean communist forces, before the National Assembly votes to lift it hours later.
Born today
Famous birthdays on December 3
7 this date All birthdays
Terri Schiavo
American medical patient
Terri Schiavo, the American woman whose prolonged vegetative state sparked a contentious legal and legislative battle over end-of-life care, was born today in 1963.
Born
1963
Died
2005
Albert Asher
New Zealand rugby player
1879 – 1965
Rajendra Prasad
Indian lawyer and politician, 1st President of India
1884 – 1963
Paul J. Crutzen
Dutch chemist and engineer, Nobel Prize laureate
1933 – 2021
António Variações
Portuguese musician
1944 – 1984
Jenna Dewan
American actress and dancer
b. 1980 · 46
Lil Baby
American rapper
b. 1994 · 32
Music
The number one songs on December 3
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on December 3, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport December 3, 1898
The Duquesne Country and Athletic Club defeats an all-star collection of early football players 16-0, in what is considered to be the first all-star game for professional American football.
The Duquesne Country and Athletic Club beats an all-star team 16-0 in the inaugural professional American football all-star game.
Read the story
🔬 Science December 3, 1967
At Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, a transplant team headed by Christiaan Barnard carries out the first heart transplant on a human (53-year-old Louis Washkansky).
Christiaan Barnard leads a transplant team in performing the world's first human heart transplant at Groote Schuur Hospital.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
Doctors' Day (Cuba)
International
National Doctors' Day is a day celebrated to recognize the contributions of physicians to individual lives and communities
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
International
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December) is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992