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
June 3 Wednesday, June 3, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on June 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
5
Holidays
1916
US history 110 years ago
The National Defense Act is signed into law, increasing the size of the United States National Guard by 450,000 men.
President Woodrow Wilson signs the National Defense Act, expanding the United States National Guard by 450,000 troops and strengthening federal military preparedness.
History
What happened on June 3
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 350World history
The Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman emperor, entering Rome at the head of a group of gladiators.
Nepotianus, a Roman usurper from the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself emperor and enters Rome with a group of gladiators.
- 713European history
The Byzantine emperor Philippicus is blinded, deposed and sent into exile by conspirators of the Opsikion army in Thrace. He is succeeded by Anastasios II, who begins the reorganization of the Byzantine army.
Philippicus, the Byzantine emperor, is blinded and deposed by Opsikion army conspirators in Thrace; Anastasios II succeeds him.
- 1098WWI
After a five-month siege during the First Crusade, the Crusaders seize Antioch.
The Crusaders capture Antioch after a five-month siege.
- 1140Religion
The French scholar Peter Abelard is found guilty of heresy.
Peter Abelard is found guilty of heresy and sentenced to Castra Lucania monastery.
- 1326World history
The Treaty of Novgorod delineates borders between Russia and Norway in Finnmark.
The Treaty of Novgorod establishes the first formal border between the Novgorod Republic and Norway in the Finnmark region.
- 1539US history
Hernando de Soto claims Florida for Spain.
Hernando de Soto claims Florida for the Spanish crown during his expedition through North America.
- 1602UK history
An English naval force defeats a fleet of Spanish galleys, and captures a large Portuguese carrack at the Battle of Sesimbra Bay.
An English naval force defeats Spanish galleys and captures a Portuguese carrack in the Battle of Sesimbra Bay.
- 1621US history
The Dutch West India Company receives a charter for New Netherland.
The Dutch West India Company obtains a charter to establish and govern the colony of New Netherland.
- 1700European history
Foundation of the Academy of the Distrustful in the library room of the Palau Dalmases in Barcelona.
The Academy of the Distrustful, a literary society, is founded in the library of the Palau Dalmases in Barcelona.
- 1781US history
Jack Jouett begins his midnight ride to warn Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia legislature of an impending British raid.
Jack Jouett rides through the night to warn Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia legislature about a British raid.
- 1885Canadian history
In the last military engagement fought on Canadian soil, the Cree leader, Big Bear, escapes the North-West Mounted Police.
Big Bear, a Cree leader, escapes from the North-West Mounted Police in the final military engagement fought on Canadian soil.
- 1916US history
The National Defense Act is signed into law, increasing the size of the United States National Guard by 450,000 men.
President Woodrow Wilson signs the National Defense Act, expanding the United States National Guard by 450,000 troops and strengthening federal military preparedness.
Born today
Famous birthdays on June 3
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 62
James Purefoy
English actor
James Purefoy, the English actor known for playing Marcus Antonius in HBO's Rome and serial killer Joe Carroll in The Following, turns 62 today.
Born
1964
Turns 62
today
Ignacio Ponseti
Spanish physician and orthopedist
1914 – 2009
Colleen Dewhurst
Canadian-American actress
1924 – 1991
Flora MacDonald
Canadian banker and politician, 10th Canadian Minister of Communications
1926 – 2015
Donald Judd
American sculptor and painter
1928 – 1994
George Fernandes
Indian journalist and politician, Minister of Defence for India
1930 – 2019
Imogen Poots
English actress and model
b. 1989 · 37
Music
The number one songs on June 3
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on June 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 June 3, 1892
Liverpool F.C. is founded by John Houlding.
John Houlding founds Liverpool Football Club, marking the beginning of one of England's most successful soccer teams.
Read the story
🔬 Science June 3, 1889
The first long-distance electric power transmission line in the United States is completed, running 14 miles (23 km) between a generator at Willamette Falls and downtown Portland, Oregon.
A 14-mile power line from Willamette Falls to Portland becomes the first long-distance electric transmission in the United States.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Confederate Memorial Day (Kentucky, and Tennessee, United States)
International
Confederate Memorial Day is a holiday observed in several Southern U
Economist day (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
International
The Commerce Consulate of Buenos Aires was one of the most important institutions of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, along with the viceroy, the Cabildo and the religious ones
Mabo Day (Australia)
International
Mabo Day is a commemorative day that occurs annually on 3 June
Opium Suppression Movement Day (Taiwan)
International
The following are considered holidays in Taiwan
World Bicycle Day
International
In April 2018, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 3 as World Bicycle Day