21 fun facts for December, 3
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
December 3 boasts a wide range of significant events, from the establishment of the Zollverein in Germany and the Eureka Stockade in Australia to advancements in neon lighting and heart-lung transplant. Notable figures like Ozzy Osbourne and important moments such as the Bhopal Gas Tragedy also mark this day, making it a memorable date in history.
21 Fun facts
- On December 3, 1834, the German customs union, the Zollverein, was established, promoting free trade and economic cooperation among its members. This helped pave the way for the eventual unification of Germany.
- December 3, 1854, marked the Eureka Stockade, a historic rebellion of gold miners in Victoria, Australia against oppressive mining licensing fees and police corruption. This event is considered an important milestone on the path to Australian democracy.
- On December 3, 1910, the first US patent was granted for neon lights by inventor Georges Claude, who pioneered the development of the neon lighting industry and founded the company Claude Neon.
- Swiss inventor Henri de France patented a new process for film colorization called Trichrome Séquentiel on December 3, 1929, allowing for more vibrant colors in movies and revolutionizing the film industry.
- December 3, 1948, marked the birth of American singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne, a prominent figure in the rock music world and former lead vocalist of the influential heavy metal band Black Sabbath.
- On December 3, 1950, legendary entrepreneur and innovator Walt Disney was granted a trademark for the name “Mickey Mouse” after the character gained immense popularity worldwide.
- The first episode of the iconic educational television show, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," aired on December 3, 1968. Fred Rogers became a beloved figure in children's television, reaching millions of viewers with his genuine warmth and gentle teachings about kindness and empathy.
- On December 3, 1969, the US space probe Pioneer 6 was launched into orbit. Its primary mission was to study the solar wind, solar magnetic field, and cosmic rays.
- December 3, 1984, marks one of the greatest industrial disasters in history, when the Bhopal Gas Tragedy took place in India. A massive methyl isocyanate gas leak from a pesticide plant in the city resulted in thousands of deaths and numerous injuries.
- The first heart-lung transplant, a groundbreaking medical procedure, was successfully performed in Stanford University Medical Center by Dr. Bruce Reitz on December 3, 1981.
- December 3 is National Roof Over Your Head Day in the United States, which encourages residents to be thankful for the shelter provided by their homes and to reflect on the struggles of those who are homeless.
- The Barbados Independence Day is celebrated on December 3. The country gained its independence from the United Kingdom on this day in 1966.
- On December 3, 1997, GoldenEye 007, a popular video game for the Nintendo 64 console, was released in Japan. It became one of the best-selling games of all time.
- In Britain, December 3 is annually celebrated as Small Business Saturday, a day to promote local businesses and support small entrepreneurs in the community.
- December 3, 1999, marked the opening of the World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Seattle, leading to massive protests against globalization and corporate influences on international trade policies.
- On December 3, 2003, the spacecraft Mars Express, operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), released the Mars lander Beagle 2, though contact was lost with the lander before it could effectively study the planet's surface.
- December 3, 2009, marked the 25th anniversary of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, and was commemorated as an International Day of Action Against Corporate Crime.
- On December 3, 2010, the SpaceX Dragon 1 made its first successful test flight, marking an important milestone in the development of commercial space travel.
- December 3 is the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which promotes understanding of disability issues and encourages support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of people with disabilities throughout the world.
- December 3, 2015, saw the completion of the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest freestanding broadcasting tower in the world, reaching a height of 2,080 feet (634 meters) in Japan.
- On December 3, 2016, the Chapecoense football team from Brazil was involved in a tragic plane crash, killing most players and coaching staff. The team was en route to Medellín, Colombia, for the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final.