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
July 3 Friday, July 3, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on July 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
4
Holidays
1952
US history 74 years ago
The Constitution of Puerto Rico is approved by the United States Congress.
The United States Congress approves the Constitution of Puerto Rico, establishing the island as a self-governing commonwealth.
History
What happened on July 3
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 324World history
Battle of Adrianople: Constantine I defeats Licinius, who flees to Byzantium.
Constantine I defeats Licinius in the Battle of Adrianople, forcing his rival to flee to Byzantium and consolidating control over the Eastern Roman Empire.
- 987European history
Hugh Capet is crowned King of France, the first of the Capetian dynasty that would rule France until the French Revolution in 1792.
Hugh Capet becomes the first king of the Capetian dynasty, which rules France until the French Revolution.
- 1035UK history
William the Conqueror becomes the Duke of Normandy, reigning until 1087.
William the Conqueror becomes the Duke of Normandy, beginning a reign that lasts until 1087.
- 1535World history
Diego de Almagro leaves the recently conquered Inca capital of Cuzco to lead an expedition to Chile.
Diego de Almagro departs from the newly captured Inca capital of Cuzco to explore and claim Chile for Spain.
- 1608Canadian history
Québec City is founded by Samuel de Champlain.
Samuel de Champlain founds Québec City, marking the beginning of permanent French settlement in Canada.
- 1767European history
Norway's oldest newspaper still in print, Adresseavisen, is founded and the first edition is published.
Adresseavisen, Norway's oldest continuously published newspaper, publishes its inaugural edition.
- 1775US history
American Revolutionary War: George Washington takes command of the Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
George Washington assumes command of the Continental Army in Cambridge, Massachusetts, beginning his leadership of the colonial forces in their fight for independence.
- 1890US history
Idaho is admitted as the 43rd U.S. state.
Idaho becomes the 43rd state of the United States.
- 1898War
A Spanish squadron, led by Pascual Cervera y Topete, is defeated by an American squadron under William T. Sampson in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba.
The Spanish fleet under Pascual Cervera y Topete is defeated by the U.S. Navy led by William T. Sampson in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba.
- 1952US history
The Constitution of Puerto Rico is approved by the United States Congress.
The United States Congress approves the Constitution of Puerto Rico, establishing the island as a self-governing commonwealth.
- 1988War
United States Navy warship USS Vincennes shoots down Iran Air Flight 655 over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 people aboard.
The USS Vincennes shoots down Iran Air Flight 655 over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 passengers and crew.
- 2013Politics
President of Egypt Mohamed Morsi is removed from office by the military after four days of protests all over the country calling for his resignation, to which he did not respond. The president of the Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt, Adly Mansour, is declared acting president until further elections are held.
Mohamed Morsi is removed as Egypt's president by the military following widespread protests; Adly Mansour becomes interim president.
Born today
Famous birthdays on July 3
7 this date All birthdays
M. F. K. Fisher
American author
M. F. K. Fisher, the American food writer who explored gastronomy and the arts of life through works like Consider the Oyster and The Gastronomical Me, was born today in 1908.
Born
1908
Died
1992
Louis XI
King of France
1423 – 1483
John Singleton Copley
American painter
1738 – 1815
Franz Kafka
Czech-Austrian author
1883 – 1924
George Sanders
Russian-born British actor
1906 – 1972
Aaron Tippin
American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
b. 1958 · 68
Teemu Selänne
Finnish ice hockey player
b. 1970 · 56
Music
The number one songs on July 3
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on July 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 July 3, 1982
Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich for the European Cup
In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.
Read the story
🔬 Science July 3, 1890
Idaho is admitted as the 43rd U.S. state.
Idaho becomes the 43rd state of the United States.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
4 celebrated today
Emancipation Day (United States Virgin Islands)
International
Emancipation Day is observed in many former European colonies in the West Indies and parts of the United States on various dates to commemorate the emancipation of slaves of African descent
Independence Day, celebrates the liberation of Minsk from Nazi occupation by Soviet troops in 1944 (Belarus)
International
Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus, also known as Republic Day or Liberation Day is a public holiday, the independence day of Belarus and is celebrated each year on 3 July
The start of the Dog Days according to the Old Farmer's Almanac but not according to established meaning in most European cultures
International
The dog days or dog days of summer are the hot, sultry days of summer
Women's Day (Myanmar)
International
Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and also referred to as Burma, is a country in northwest Southeast Asia