June 3rd has witnessed a multitude of pivotal events throughout history, spanning centuries and continents.
From military and political milestones to groundbreaking technological achievements and significant social movements, this date marks a series of occurrences that have shaped the course of human history.
This article provides a detailed overview of notable events that happened on June 3rd, offering insights into the diverse and impactful nature of these moments.
June 3rd – On this Day in History
350 – Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering Rome at the head of a group of gladiators
Nepotianus, a member of the Constantinian dynasty, seized power in Rome by declaring himself emperor. His claim was short-lived as he was overthrown and killed by Magnentius, another usurper, within a month.
Nepotianus’s brief rule was part of the turbulent period of the Roman Empire known as the Crisis of the Third Century, characterized by frequent changes of rulers and civil wars.
713 – The Byzantine emperor Philippicus is blinded, deposed and sent into exile
Philippicus was a Byzantine emperor who reigned from 711 to 713. He came to power by overthrowing and killing the previous emperor, Justinian II.
However, his rule was marked by controversy and opposition due to his religious policies, particularly his support for Monothelitism, a doctrine considered heretical by many.
In June 713, a rebellion led by the general Artemius (later Emperor Anastasius II) resulted in Philippicus being captured, blinded, and exiled, a common practice to ensure deposed rulers could not reclaim the throne.
1098 – After a five-month siege during the First Crusade, the Crusaders seize Antioch (in modern Turkey)
The First Crusade was a military expedition by Western Christian forces to reclaim the Holy Lands from Muslim rule. The siege of Antioch, which lasted from October 1097 to June 1098, was one of the significant battles. After months of starvation and disease, the Crusaders managed to breach the city’s defenses.
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The capture of Antioch was crucial as it provided a strategic stronghold for the Crusaders on their way to Jerusalem. The city was later besieged by Muslim forces, but the Crusaders managed to hold it, bolstering their resolve and prestige.
1621 – The Dutch West India Company receives a charter for New Netherland (now known as New York)
The Dutch West India Company was established to exploit the resources of the Americas and West Africa. On June 3, 1621, the company received its charter, which included a grant of trade monopolies in the West Indies and parts of the Americas.
This led to the establishment of the colony of New Netherland, with its capital, New Amsterdam, situated on what is now Manhattan Island in New York City. The colony became a center for trade, particularly in fur, and laid the foundations for future Dutch influence in North America.
1658 – Pope Alexander VII appoints François de Laval vicar apostolic in New France
François de Laval was appointed as the first vicar apostolic of New France (now Canada) by Pope Alexander VII on June 3, 1658. This appointment marked the beginning of organized ecclesiastical structures in the French colonies in North America.
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Laval worked tirelessly to establish parishes, schools, and seminaries, and he played a crucial role in the development of the Catholic Church in Canada.
He later became the first bishop of Quebec, and his legacy includes the founding of the Séminaire de Québec, which played a pivotal role in the education of the clergy and the laity in the region.
1781 – Jack Jouett begins his midnight ride to warn Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia legislature of an impending raid by Banastre Tarleton
During the American Revolutionary War, Captain Jack Jouett made a daring ride to warn Governor Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia legislature of an imminent British raid. On the night of June 3, 1781, Jouett saw Colonel Banastre Tarleton and his troops approaching Charlottesville, Virginia.
Recognizing the danger, Jouett rode 40 miles through rough terrain to Monticello, Jefferson’s home, and then to Charlottesville. His warning allowed Jefferson and most of the legislators to escape capture. Jouett’s ride is often compared to Paul Revere’s, though it is less well-known.
1800 – U.S. President John Adams takes up residence in Washington, D.C. (in a tavern because the White House was not yet completed)
On June 3, 1800, President John Adams moved to the new capital city of Washington, D.C., although the White House was not yet completed.
Adams initially stayed in a tavern while waiting for the presidential mansion to be finished. This move marked the beginning of Washington, D.C. as the seat of the U.S. federal government.
Adams was the first president to reside in the White House when he moved in later that year. The establishment of Washington, D.C. as the capital was a significant step in the development of the United States’ national identity and governance.
1808 – Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America, is born
Jefferson Davis was born on June 3, 1808, in Christian County, Kentucky. He grew up to become a prominent political figure, serving as a U.S. Senator and Secretary of War before becoming the President of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.
Davis’s leadership was marked by significant challenges, including maintaining unity among the Confederate states and managing the war effort against the Union.
After the Confederacy’s defeat, Davis was captured, imprisoned, and indicted for treason, though he was never tried. His legacy remains controversial due to his role in defending slavery and leading the secessionist movement.
1839 – In Humen, China, Lin Zexu destroys 1.2 million kg of opium confiscated from British merchants, providing Britain with a casus belli to open hostilities, resulting in the First Opium War
Lin Zexu, a Chinese scholar-official, played a pivotal role in the events leading to the First Opium War between China and Britain.
Appointed by the Daoguang Emperor to end the opium trade, Lin took decisive action by confiscating and destroying 1.2 million kilograms (approximately 2.6 million pounds) of opium from British traders in Humen, Guangdong Province, on June 3, 1839.
His strong stance against the opium trade angered the British, who used it as a pretext to open hostilities. The First Opium War resulted in a humiliating defeat for China and the signing of the Treaty of Nanking, which ceded Hong Kong to Britain and opened several Chinese ports to foreign trade.
1861 – American Civil War: The Battle of Philippi (also called the “Philippi Races”) begins, the first organized land action of the war
The Battle of Philippi, also known as the “Philippi Races,” occurred on June 3, 1861, in Barbour County, Virginia (now West Virginia). It was one of the earliest organized engagements of the American Civil War.
Union forces, led by Brigadier General Thomas A. Morris, launched a surprise attack on a Confederate camp at Philippi. The Confederates, commanded by Colonel George A. Porterfield, were caught off guard and retreated rapidly, leading to the nickname “Philippi Races.”
Although the battle had few casualties and was relatively minor in scale, it boosted Union morale and provided valuable experience for both sides early in the war. The engagement also highlighted the strategic importance of controlling transportation routes in the region.
1889 – The first long-distance electric power transmission line in the United States is completed, running 14 miles between Willamette Falls and downtown Portland, Oregon
On June 3, 1889, the first long-distance electric power transmission line in the United States was completed, running 14 miles from Willamette Falls in Oregon City to downtown Portland, Oregon.
This transmission line was a pioneering achievement in electrical engineering, utilizing alternating current (AC) technology, which allowed electricity to be transmitted over longer distances than direct current (DC).
The project demonstrated the feasibility of long-distance electric power transmission, paving the way for widespread electrification and the development of modern electrical grids. This innovation significantly contributed to the growth of industries and urban development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
1916 – The National Defense Act is signed into law, increasing the size of the United States National Guard by 450,000 men
On June 3, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Defense Act into law, a significant piece of legislation aimed at strengthening the United States’ military preparedness.
The act expanded the size of the National Guard to 450,000 men, integrated it more closely with the regular Army, and established the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) to train college students for military service.
The National Defense Act was part of a broader effort to enhance national security in response to the escalating conflicts in Europe leading up to World War I. It also marked a shift towards a more organized and professional military structure in the United States.
1937 – The Duke of Windsor marries Wallis Simpson in a private ceremony at the Château de Candé in France
On June 3, 1937, the Duke of Windsor, formerly King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom, married Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee, in a private ceremony at the Château de Candé in France.
Edward VIII had abdicated the throne in December 1936 to marry Simpson, as their relationship was deemed unacceptable by the British establishment and the Church of England due to her status as a twice-divorced woman.
The marriage was controversial and led to Edward’s exile from Britain, though the couple remained prominent public figures. Their relationship was seen as a scandal and a romantic story of sacrifice, influencing public perceptions of the British monarchy.
1940 – World War II: The Luftwaffe bombs Paris
On June 3, 1940, during World War II, the German Luftwaffe conducted a significant bombing raid on Paris. This attack aimed to weaken French morale and military capabilities as German forces advanced through France. The bombing caused extensive damage to the city and resulted in numerous civilian casualties.
The fall of Paris to German forces followed shortly after, on June 14, 1940, marking a critical moment in the Battle of France. The occupation of Paris and much of France by Nazi Germany had profound consequences for the French population and the broader course of the war, leading to the establishment of the Vichy regime and the French Resistance.
1943 – A mob of 60 from the Los Angeles Naval Reserve Armory beats up everyone perceived to be Hispanic, starting the Zoot Suit Riots
On June 3, 1943, the Zoot Suit Riots began in Los Angeles, a series of violent clashes between U.S. servicemen stationed in the city and Mexican American youths, who were recognizable by their distinctive zoot suits—baggy, high-waisted trousers, and long coats.
Tensions had been simmering due to racial discrimination, competition for jobs, and differing cultural expressions. The riots started when a group of sailors claimed they were attacked by zoot suit-wearing youths. Over the next several days, servicemen roamed the streets, targeting anyone wearing a zoot suit, beating them, and stripping them of their clothes.
The police often sided with the servicemen, arresting the Mexican American youths instead of the attackers. The riots highlighted deep-seated racial tensions and contributed to the ongoing struggles for civil rights and social justice in the United States.
1963 – Pope John XXIII dies
Pope John XXIII, born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, died on June 3, 1963. He was elected pope in 1958 and is best remembered for initiating the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II), which sought to modernize the practices of the Catholic Church and improve relations with other Christian denominations, as well as with non-Christian religions.
His papacy was marked by a spirit of openness and reform, emphasizing pastoral care, social justice, and global peace. Pope John XXIII’s death was mourned worldwide, and he was later canonized as a saint in 2014. His legacy continues to influence the Catholic Church and its approach to contemporary issues.
1965 – Launch of Gemini 4, the first multi-day space mission by a NASA crew. Ed White performs the first American spacewalk
On June 3, 1965, NASA launched Gemini 4, the second crewed mission of the Gemini program. The spacecraft was piloted by astronauts James McDivitt and Edward White. During this mission, White performed the first American spacewalk, officially known as an Extravehicular Activity (EVA), which lasted about 23 minutes.
This mission was a critical step in demonstrating the capabilities required for long-duration spaceflight and maneuvering outside the spacecraft, both of which were essential for the future Apollo missions to the Moon.
Gemini 4 lasted four days, significantly longer than any previous American crewed space mission, and it provided valuable data on the effects of extended space travel on the human body.
1989 – The government of China sends troops to force protesters out of Tiananmen Square after seven weeks of occupation
On June 3-4, 1989, the Chinese government ordered the military to use force to end the pro-democracy protests that had been taking place in Tiananmen Square in Beijing since April. The protests, which began as student-led demonstrations calling for political reform, freedom of speech, and an end to corruption, had grown to include a wide cross-section of Chinese society.
The government’s decision to use military force led to a violent crackdown, with troops and tanks moving into the square and firing on protesters. The exact number of casualties remains unknown, but estimates range from several hundred to several thousand.
The Tiananmen Square Massacre shocked the world and led to widespread condemnation of the Chinese government’s actions. It also had a profound impact on China’s political landscape, leading to tighter government control and suppression of dissent.
1991 – Mount Unzen erupts in Kyushu, Japan, killing 43 people, including three volcanologists
On June 3, 1991, Mount Unzen, a volcano on the island of Kyushu in Japan, erupted violently, resulting in pyroclastic flows that devastated nearby areas. The eruption caused the deaths of 43 people, including three renowned volcanologists: Maurice and Katia Krafft from France, and Harry Glicken from the United States, who were there to document the eruption.
The disaster highlighted the dangers associated with volcanic activity and the risks faced by scientists studying these natural phenomena. The eruption of Mount Unzen was one of Japan’s deadliest in the 20th century and led to significant advances in volcanic monitoring and disaster preparedness.
2017 – London Bridge attack: A van runs over multiple pedestrians on London Bridge, later stabbing several people in nearby Borough Market, killing eight and injuring 48
On June 3, 2017, a terrorist attack occurred on London Bridge and in the nearby Borough Market in London, UK. A van was driven into pedestrians on London Bridge, and the attackers then continued on foot, stabbing multiple people in the Borough Market area.
Eight people were killed, and 48 others were injured in the attack. The three attackers, armed with knives and wearing fake explosive vests, were shot dead by police within minutes of the attack starting.
This incident was part of a series of terrorist attacks in the UK during 2017 and was attributed to Islamist extremism. The attack led to increased security measures and a public debate on how to prevent and respond to such incidents, highlighting the ongoing challenges of terrorism in urban environments.