34 fun facts for February, 3
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
February 3rd is marked by an array of events, from the first paper money issued in the Americas to the premieres of "Evita" and "Peter Pan." Celebrate National Carrot Cake and Women Physicians Day in the U.S. or attend Spain's Festival of San Blas and Canary Islands' Carnival of Candelaria.
34 Fun facts
- On February 3, 1690, the Massachusetts Bay Colony issued the first paper money in the Americas, known as "bills of credit," to help fund military action against Canada during King William's War.
- The first soft landing on the Moon took place on February 3, 1966, when the Soviet Union's Luna 9 spacecraft successfully touched down and transmitted images back to Earth.
- February 3, 1870, marks the adoption of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, prohibiting the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
- On February 3, 1809, German composer Felix Mendelssohn was born. He is widely regarded as one of the most important Romantic composers, known for works such as the "Wedding March" and "Songs Without Words."
- February 3, 1979, saw the world premiere of the popular musical "Evita," based on the life of Eva Perón, at the Prince Edward Theatre in London.
- On February 3, 1913, the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting Congress the power to levy an income tax.
- In the United States, February 3 is National Carrot Cake Day, honoring the delicious carrot-packed dessert.
- On February 3, 1959, in what is sometimes called "The Day the Music Died," musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson were killed in a plane crash.
- On February 3, 1888, a hotel in San Diego, California, became the first public building in the United States to be illuminated entirely by electric light.
- St. Blaise Day is observed annually on February 3, with the saint credited as the patron of throat illnesses, animals, and wool combers.
- The first United States minstrel show, named the Virginia Minstrels, was staged in New York City on February 3, 1842.
- February 3, 2006, marked the opening of the Torino Winter Olympics, lasting until February 26th, and featuring athletes from 80 countries competing across 15 different sports.
- On February 3, 1953, the iconic animated film "Peter Pan" premiered, produced by Walt Disney Productions and based on the play by J.M. Barrie.
- February 3rd is "Four Chaplains Day" in the United States, commemorating the four U.S. Army chaplains who sacrificed their lives to save others during the sinking of the SS Dorchester on February 3, 1943.
- February 3 is National Women Physicians Day in the United States, honoring female physicians and the role they play in medicine and public health.
- On February 3, 1995, the Space Shuttle Discovery was launched to rendezvous with the Russian space station Mir, marking the first joint mission between the United States and Russia in twenty years.
- On February 3, 1966, Menhaz Virani became the first Asian woman cricketer to lead a national team, captaining the Indian women's cricket team.
- On February 3, 1917, the United States severed diplomatic relations with Germany due to unrestricted submarine warfare during World War I.
- Norman Rockwell, renowned American painter and illustrator, was born on February 3, 1894.
- On February 3, 1959, the game of Twister received patent #3,009,317, later becoming a popular party game throughout the world.
- Henry Heimlich, the American physician known for developing the Heimlich maneuver, was born on February 3, 1920.
- On February 3, 1984, pop icon Cyndi Lauper became the first female artist to have four singles from one album reach the top five on the Billboard charts with "She's So Unusual."
- February 3, 1924, marked the passing of Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, who played a central role in World War I and the formation of the League of Nations.
- On February 3, 1995, British rock band Oasis released their hit single "Wonderwall," which would go on to become one of the most well-known songs of the 1990s.
- February 3, 2005, saw the opening of the largest conference on climate change in history, known as the Exponential Climate Action Summit in London.
- On February 3, 2000, multiple regions in France and the United Kingdom experienced a total solar eclipse.
- February 3, 1959, marked the first successful demonstration of a laser's ability to operate at high power, paving the way for the development of numerous technologies.
- The Carnival of Candelaria, one of the most famous festivals in the Canary Islands, begins every year on February 3, with colorful processions and lively celebrations in honor of the Virgin of Candelaria.
- On February 3, 1931, an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand, causing widespread destruction and the loss of many lives.
- February 3, 1834, saw the birth of German inventor and businessman, Moritz von Jacobi, who made significant contributions to early electrochemistry and the development of the telegraph.
- February 3rd marks the anniversary of the first execution by lethal gas in the United States; this took place in 1924 and replaced the electric chair as Nevada's primary execution method.
- The U.S. state of Oregon ratified its constitution on February 3, 1857.
- In Spain, February 3 is the Festival of San Blas, which is celebrated in many towns and cities throughout the country, attracting thousands of people each year to events including parades and fireworks.
- On February 3, 1989, iconic actor Laurence Olivier was named a life peer in the British House of Lords, becoming Baron Olivier of Brighton.