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
September 3 Thursday, September 3, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on September 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
8
Holidays
1777
US history 249 years ago
American Revolutionary War: During the Battle of Cooch's Bridge, the Flag of the United States is flown in battle for the first time.
The United States flag flies in battle for the first time during the Battle of Cooch's Bridge in Delaware.
History
What happened on September 3
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -36World history
In the Battle of Naulochus, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, admiral of Octavian, defeats Sextus Pompey, son of Pompey, thus ending Pompeian resistance to the Second Triumvirate.
Agrippa defeats Sextus Pompey in the Battle of Naulochus, ending Pompeian resistance to the Second Triumvirate.
- 301European history
San Marino, one of the smallest nations in the world and the world's oldest republic still in existence, is founded by Saint Marinus.
Saint Marinus founds San Marino, establishing what would become the world's oldest surviving republic.
- 590Religion
Consecration of Pope Gregory I (Gregory the Great).
Pope Gregory I is consecrated as the bishop of Rome.
- 673European history
King Wamba of the Visigoths puts down a revolt by Hilderic, governor of Nîmes (France) and rival for the throne.
King Wamba suppresses a rebellion led by Hilderic, the governor of Nîmes who sought to challenge his rule.
- 863European history
Major Byzantine victory at the Battle of Lalakaon against an Arab raid.
The Byzantine army achieves a significant triumph over Arab forces in the Battle of Lalakaon.
- 1189Royalty
Richard I of England (a.k.a. Richard "the Lionheart") is crowned at Westminster.
Richard I of England, known as Richard the Lionheart, is crowned at Westminster Abbey, beginning a reign defined more by crusading abroad than governing at home.
- 1260War
The Mamluks defeat the Mongols at the Battle of Ain Jalut in Palestine, marking their first decisive defeat and the point of maximum expansion of the Mongol Empire.
The Mamluks defeat the Mongols at the Battle of Ain Jalut, marking a turning point by halting the Mongol advance.
- 1335European history
At the congress of Visegrád Charles I of Hungary mediates a reconciliation between two neighboring monarchs, John of Bohemia and Casimir III of Poland.
Charles I of Hungary mediates a reconciliation between John of Bohemia and Casimir III of Poland at the Visegrád congress.
- 1411World history
The Treaty of Selymbria is concluded between the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Venice.
The Treaty of Selymbria concludes, establishing peace between the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Venice.
- 1658UK history
The death of Oliver Cromwell; Richard Cromwell becomes Lord Protector of England.
Richard Cromwell succeeds his father Oliver as Lord Protector of England.
- 1666UK history
The Royal Exchange burns down in the Great Fire of London.
The Royal Exchange, London's center of commerce since 1571, is consumed by flames during the Great Fire of London.
- 1777US history
American Revolutionary War: During the Battle of Cooch's Bridge, the Flag of the United States is flown in battle for the first time.
The United States flag flies in battle for the first time during the Battle of Cooch's Bridge in Delaware.
Born today
Famous birthdays on September 3
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 36
Mohammad Shami
Indian cricketer
Mohammed Shami, a right-arm fast bowler for India's national cricket team and Bengal in domestic cricket, turns 35 today as one of contemporary cricket's most consistent wicket-takers.
Born
1990
Turns 36
today
Percy Chapman
English cricketer
1900 – 1961
Gérard Houllier
French footballer and coach
1947 – 2020
Rahul Sanghvi
Indian cricketer
b. 1974 · 52
Andrew McMahon
American singer-songwriter, pianist, and producer
b. 1982 · 44
August Alsina
American singer-songwriter
b. 1992 · 34
Rich Brian
Indonesian rapper and singer
b. 1999 · 27
Music
The number one songs on September 3
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on September 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 September 3, 1950
"Nino" Farina becomes the first Formula One Drivers' champion after winning the 1950 Italian Grand Prix.
"Nino" Farina wins the 1950 Italian Grand Prix, becoming the inaugural Formula One Drivers' Champion.
Read the story
🔬 Science September 3, 1995
Java 1.0 is unveiled
Sun Microsystems releases a programming language that will become the backbone of enterprise computing and Android.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
China's victory over Japan commemoration related observances: Armed Forces Day (Republic of China)
International
PLA Day, also known as Army Day, is a professional military holiday celebrated annually by the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the military of China, on 1 August
China's victory over Japan commemoration related observances: V-J Day (People's Republic of China)
International
Victory over Japan Day is the day on which Imperial Japan surrendered in World War II, in effect bringing the war to an end
Flag Day (Australia)
International
Australian National Flag Day has been celebrated in Australia since 3 September 1996
Independence Day, celebrates the second independence of Qatar from the United Kingdom in 1971.
International
An Independence Day is an annual event commemorating the anniversary of a nation's independence or statehood, usually after ceasing to be a group or part of another nation or state, or after the end o
Levy Mwanawasa Day (Zambia)
International
Levy Patrick Mwanawasa was a Zambian politician who served as the third president of Zambia
Merchant Navy Remembrance Day (Canada)
International
Canada, like several other Commonwealth nations, created the Canadian Merchant Navy in a large-scale effort during World War II