23 fun facts for August, 3
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
On August 3rd, notable events such as the launch of the World Wide Web, Christopher Columbus' voyage to the New World, and the signing of the Voting Rights Act took place. Additionally, August 3rd marks the celebrations of National Watermelon Day in the United States and Estonia's Restoration Day of the Pärnu Coastal Artillery Battery.
23 Fun facts
- On August 3rd in 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail from Palos de la Frontera, Spain, on a journey to explore the New World. This marked the beginning of European exploration into the Americas, transforming the course of history.
- The World Wide Web was launched on August 3, 1991. British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee created the World Wide Web system as a way to facilitate communication between different computers on the Internet.
- August 3rd is celebrated annually as National Watermelon Day in the United States. This refreshing summer fruit has been a favorite snack for Americans for centuries, with over 200 watermelon varieties grown across the country.
- On August 3, 1914, the Belgian King declared his country's neutrality in World War I. However, Germany later invaded Belgium, making it one of the first countries to be involved in the war.
- In 1958, the United States' USS Nautilus submarine completed the first undersea voyage to the North Pole. This technological feat marked a significant milestone in military and marine transportation history.
- Fidel Castro declared the Cuban revolution successful on August 3, 1960. This marked the beginning of Cuba's transformation into a Communist state, a political change that still persists today.
- August 3, 1977, saw the premiere of the much-loved movie "The Spy Who Loved Me." This was the tenth film in the James Bond series and starred actor Roger Moore.
- In 1981, around 13,000 air traffic controllers went on strike in the United States, causing major disruptions to air travel. President Ronald Reagan later fired more than half of them for their refusal to return to work.
- On August 3, 1955, the first consumer microwave oven was produced by American engineer Percy Spencer. This revolutionized cooking and made it faster and more accessible for people worldwide.
- August 3rd is National Grab Some Nuts Day in the United States, a fun day dedicated to appreciating and enjoying different types of nuts as tasty and nutritious snacks.
- In 2004, the pedestal of the iconic Statue of Liberty in New York City was reopened to the public for the first time since the September 11 attacks.
- Mount Asama, a volcano in Japan, erupted on August 3, 2009, following months of increased volcanic activity. Fortunately, no lives were lost, but immediate areas were evacuated as a precaution.
- August 3rd marks the anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, prohibiting racial discrimination within voting practices in the United States.
- On August 3, 1996, the famous Tower Bridge in London experienced a rare malfunction, stranding cars and pedestrians on the roadway while the bascules were stuck in mid-air.
- The Walt Disney Channel, a children's television network in the United States, debuted on August 3, 1997, becoming an important part of children's entertainment.
- In 1993, the long-running TV show "Cheers" aired its final episode, marking an end to its highly successful 11-year run.
- August 3rd in Estonia is celebrated as Restoration Day of the Pärnu Coastal Artillery Battery. This memorializes the fight of a group of Estonian conscripts and civilians against the German army during World War II.
- The first-ever recorded boxing match occurred on August 3, 1681, between Duke of Albemarle's butler, William Neate, and a waterman named Bourke. This event marked the beginning of the modern sport of boxing.
- In 1946, legendary basketball player Allen Iverson was born on August 3rd. Iverson had a highly successful career and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
- Actor Martin Sheen, known for his roles in "Apocalypse Now" and the TV show "The West Wing," was born on August 3, 1940.
- In 1935, American Olympic athlete Leland McPhie was born on August 3rd. McPhie competed in multiple sports, such as high jump, pole vault, and decathlon, and he remained active in the Senior Olympics until turning 100 years old.
- Prominent French composer and organist Louis Vierne was born on August 3, 1870. He composed six organ symphonies and held the position of titular organist at Notre-Dame de Paris from 1900 until his death on 1937.
- In 1963, American rock musician James Hetfield, best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the band Metallica, was born on August 3rd.