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On This Day in History — April 3
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Highlights of April 3
- 2018 — A woman opened fire at YouTube headquarters in San Bruno, California, injuring three people before killing herself. Read more
- 2013 — The northeastern section of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, experienced several flash floods that killed at least 100 people. Read more
- 2010 — Apple Inc. released the first generation iPad, a tablet computer. Read more
- 2009 — A gunman opened fire at the American Civic Association in Binghamton, New York, U.S., killing thirteen and wounding four before committing suicide. Read more
- 2008 — Texas law enforcement authorities raided the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints' YFZ Ranch, eventually removing 533 women and children from the premises. Read more
- 2000 — In United States v. Microsoft Corp., Microsoft was found to have violated antitrust law by bundling the web browser Internet Explorer with its Windows operating system. Read more
- 1996 — A U.S. Air Force CT-43 crashed into a mountainside while attempting an instrument approach to Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia, killing all 35 people on board, including Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown. Read more
- 1984 — Aboard Soyuz T-11, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to be launched into space. Read more
- 1974 — The Super Outbreak of 148 tornadoes began, killing at least 315 people and injuring 5,484 in 13 US states at the end of a very strong La Niña event. Read more
- 1966 — Luna 10 (replica pictured) entered orbit around the Moon, becoming the first space probe to orbit an astronomical body other than Earth or the Sun. Read more
- 1948 — The Marshall Plan, an economic recovery program established by U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall to assist the post-World War II re-building of Europe, was signed into law. Read more
- 1944 — Philippine resistance against Japan: Cebuano fishermen discovered the Koga papers after a plane crash killed Admiral Mineichi Koga, commander-in-chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy's Combined Fleet. Read more
- 1933 — Lord Clydesdale and David McIntyre undertook the first successful flight over Mount Everest. Read more
- 1922 — Joseph Stalin became the first general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Read more
- 1895 — The libel trial instigated by Irish author Oscar Wilde (pictured) began, eventually resulting in his arrest, trial and imprisonment on charges of gross indecency. Read more
- 1888 — Emma Elizabeth Smith was killed in the first of eleven unsolved murders of women that took place in or near the impoverished Whitechapel district in the East End of London. Read more
- 1860 — The Pony Express, a mail service that became the most direct means of long-distance communication across the United States before the first transcontinental telegraph, began operation. Read more
- 1721 — Robert Walpole took office as First Lord of the Treasury, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Leader of the House of Commons, becoming the first de facto prime minister of Great Britain. Read more
- 1559 — Henry II of France and Philip II of Spain signed the second treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis, ending the Italian War of 1551–1559. Read more
- 1043 — Edward the Confessor, usually considered to be the last king of the House of Wessex, was crowned King of England. Read more
Events
- 2018 — YouTube headquarters shooting: A 38-year-old gunwoman opens fire at YouTube Headquarters in San Bruno, California, injuring three people before committing suicide. Read more
- 2017 — A bomb explodes in the St Petersburg metro system, killing 14 and injuring several more people. Read more
- 2016 — The Panama Papers, a leak of legal documents, reveals information on 214,488 offshore companies. Read more
- 2013 — More than 50 people die in floods resulting from record-breaking rainfall in La Plata and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Read more
- 2010 — Apple Inc. released the first generation iPad, a tablet computer. Read more
- 2009 — Jiverly Antares Wong opens fire at the American Civic Association immigration center in Binghamton, New York, killing thirteen and wounding four before committing suicide. Read more
- 2008 — ATA Airlines, once one of the ten largest U.S. passenger airlines and largest charter airline, files for bankruptcy for the second time in five years and ceases all operations. Read more
- 2008 — Texas law enforcement cordons off the FLDS's YFZ Ranch. Eventually 533 women and children will be taken into state custody. Read more
- 2007 — Conventional-Train World Speed Record: A French TGV train on the LGV Est high speed line sets an official new world speed record of 574.8 km/h (159.6 m/s, 357.2 mph). Read more
- 2004 — Islamic terrorists involved in the 2004 Madrid train bombings are trapped by the police in their apartment and kill themselves. Read more
- 2000 — United States v. Microsoft Corp.: Microsoft is ruled to have violated United States antitrust law by keeping "an oppressive thumb" on its competitors. Read more
- 1997 — The Thalit massacre begins in Algeria; all but one of the 53 inhabitants of Thalit are killed by guerrillas. Read more
- 1996 — Suspected "Unabomber" Theodore Kaczynski is captured at his Montana cabin in the United States. Read more
- 1996 — A United States Air Force Boeing T-43 crashes near Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia, killing 35, including Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown. Read more
- 1993 — The outcome of the Grand National horse race is declared void for the first (and only) time. Read more
- 1989 — The US Supreme Court upholds the jurisdictional rights of tribal courts under the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 in Mississippi Choctaw Band v. Holyfield. Read more
- 1981 — The Osborne 1, the first successful portable computer, is unveiled at the West Coast Computer Faire in San Francisco. Read more
- 1980 — US Congress restores a federal trust relationship with the 501 members of the Shivwits, Kanosh, Koosharem, and the Indian Peaks and Cedar City bands of the Paiute people of Utah. Read more
- 1975 — Vietnam War: Operation Babylift, a mass evacuation of children in the closing stages of the war begins. Read more
- 1975 — Bobby Fischer refuses to play in a chess match against Anatoly Karpov, giving Karpov the title of World Champion by default. Read more
- 1974 — The 1974 Super Outbreak occurs, the second largest tornado outbreak in recorded history (after the 2011 Super Outbreak). The death toll is 315, with nearly 5,500 injured. Read more
- 1973 — Martin Cooper of Motorola makes the first handheld mobile phone call to Joel S. Engel of Bell Labs. Read more
- 1969 — Vietnam War: United States Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird announces that the United States will start to "Vietnamize" the war effort. Read more
- 1968 — Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech; he was assassinated the next day. Read more
- 1961 — LAN-Chile Flight 621 crashes in the Andes mountains, killing 21 people, including Argentinian football player Eliseo Mouriño. Read more
- 1956 — Hudsonville–Standale tornado: The western half of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan is struck by a deadly F5 tornado. Read more
- 1955 — The American Civil Liberties Union announces it will defend Allen Ginsberg's book Howl against obscenity charges. Read more
- 1948 — Cold War: U.S. President Harry S. Truman signs the Marshall Plan, authorizing $5 billion in aid for 16 countries. Read more
- 1948 — In Jeju Province, South Korea, a civil-war-like period of violence and human rights abuses known as the Jeju uprising begins. Read more
- 1946 — Japanese Lt. General Masaharu Homma is executed in the Philippines for leading the Bataan Death March. Read more
- 1942 — World War II: Japanese forces begin an assault on the United States and Filipino troops on the Bataan Peninsula. Read more
- 1936 — Bruno Richard Hauptmann is executed for the kidnapping and death of Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr., the infant son of pilot Charles Lindbergh. Read more
- 1933 — First flight over Mount Everest, the British Houston-Mount Everest Flight Expedition, led by the Marquis of Clydesdale and funded by Lucy, Lady Houston. Read more
- 1922 — Joseph Stalin becomes the first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Read more
- 1920 — Attempts are made to carry out the failed assassination attempt on General Mannerheim, led by Aleksander Weckman by order of Eino Rahja, during the White Guard parade in Tampere, Finland. Read more
- 1905 — Association football club Boca Juniors is founded in Buenos Aires, Argentina Read more
- 1895 — The trial in the libel case brought by Oscar Wilde begins, eventually resulting in his imprisonment on charges of homosexuality. Read more
- 1888 — Jack the Ripper: The first of 11 unsolved brutal murders of women committed in or near the impoverished Whitechapel district in the East End of London, occurs. Read more
- 1885 — Gottlieb Daimler is granted a German patent for a light, high-speed, four-stroke engine, which he uses seven months later to create the world's first motorcycle, the Daimler Reitwagen. Read more
- 1882 — American Old West: Robert Ford kills Jesse James. Read more
- 1865 — American Civil War: Union forces capture Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the Confederate States of America. Read more
- 1860 — The first successful United States Pony Express run from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, begins. Read more
- 1851 — Rama IV is crowned King of Thailand after the death of his half-brother, Rama III. Read more
- 1721 — Robert Walpole becomes, in effect, the first Prime Minister of Great Britain, though he himself denied that title. Read more
- 1589 — The janissaries revolt in response to the debasement of coins. Read more
- 1559 — The second of two treaties making up the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis is signed, ending the Italian Wars. Read more
- 1077 — The Patriarchate of Friûl, the first Friulian state, is created. Read more
- 1043 — Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. Read more
- 956 — Polyeuctus of Constantinople is elected as patriarch of Constantinople. Read more
- 686 — Maya king Yuknoom Yich'aak K'ahk' assumes the crown of Calakmul. Read more
Born on April 3
- 1999 — Chanel Harris-Tavita, New Zealand-Samoan rugby league player Read more
- 1998 — Paris Jackson, American actress, model and singer Read more
- 1997 — Gabriel Jesus, Brazilian footballer Read more
- 1997 — Zhao Xintong, Chinese snooker player Read more
- 1996 — Mayo Hibi, Japanese tennis player Read more
- 1994 — Kodi Nikorima, New Zealand rugby league player Read more
- 1994 — Dylann Roof, American mass murderer Read more
- 1993 — Pape Moussa Konaté, Senegalese footballer Read more
- 1992 — Simone Benedetti, Italian footballer Read more
- 1992 — Yuliya Yefimova, Russian swimmer Read more
- 1991 — Hayley Kiyoko, American actress and singer Read more
- 1990 — Karim Ansarifard, Iranian footballer Read more
- 1990 — Madison Brengle, American tennis player Read more
- 1990 — Sotiris Ninis, Greek footballer Read more
- 1990 — Natasha Negovanlis, Canadian actress and singer Read more
- 1989 — Romain Alessandrini, French footballer Read more
- 1989 — Israel Folau, Australian rugby player and footballer Read more
- 1989 — Joel Romelo, Australian rugby league player Read more
- 1989 — Thisara Perera, Sri Lankan cricketer Read more
- 1988 — Kam Chancellor, American football player Read more
- 1988 — Brandon Graham, American football player Read more
- 1988 — Peter Hartley, English footballer Read more
- 1988 — Tim Krul, Dutch footballer Read more
- 1987 — Rachel Bloom, American actress, writer, and producer Read more
- 1987 — Jay Bruce, American baseball player Read more
- 1987 — Yileen Gordon, Australian rugby league player Read more
- 1987 — Jason Kipnis, American baseball player Read more
- 1987 — Martyn Rooney, English sprinter Read more
- 1987 — Julie Sokolow, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Read more
- 1987 — Yuval Spungin, Israeli footballer Read more
- 1986 — Amanda Bynes, American actress Read more
- 1986 — Stephanie Cox, American soccer player Read more
- 1986 — Annalisa Cucinotta, Italian cyclist Read more
- 1986 — Sergio Sánchez Ortega, Spanish footballer Read more
- 1985 — Jari-Matti Latvala, Finnish race car driver Read more
- 1985 — Leona Lewis, English singer-songwriter and producer Read more
- 1984 — Jonathan Blondel, Belgian footballer Read more
- 1984 — Maxi López, Argentinian footballer Read more
- 1983 — Ben Foster, English footballer Read more
- 1983 — Stephen Weiss, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
Died on April 3
- 2026 — Fred Curry, Lebanese-American professional wrestler (born 1941) Read more
- 2025 — Theodore McCarrick, American former cardinal (born 1930) Read more
- 2025 — Mick O'Dwyer, Irish Gaelic footballer and manager (born 1936) Read more
- 2024 — Bob Lanigan, Australian rugby league player (born 1942) Read more
- 2024 — Gaetano Pesce, Italian architect and designer (born 1939) Read more
- 2022 — June Brown, English actress (born 1927) Read more
- 2021 — Stan Stephens, Canadian-American politician, 20th Governor of Montana (born 1929) Read more
- 2017 — Kishori Amonkar, Indian classical vocalist (born 1931) Read more
- 2016 — Cesare Maldini, Italian footballer and manager (born 1932) Read more
- 2016 — Joe Medicine Crow, American anthropologist, historian, and author (born 1913) Read more
- 2016 — Koji Wada, Japanese singer and songwriter (born 1974) Read more
- 2015 — Sarah Brady, American activist and author (born 1942) Read more
- 2015 — Bob Burns, American drummer and songwriter (born 1950) Read more
- 2015 — Shmuel Wosner, Austrian-Israeli rabbi and author (born 1913) Read more
- 2014 — Régine Deforges, French author, playwright, and director (born 1935) Read more
- 2014 — Fred Kida, American illustrator (born 1920) Read more
- 2014 — Prince Michael of Prussia (born 1940) Read more
- 2014 — Jovan Pavlović, Serbian metropolitan (born 1936) Read more
- 2014 — Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith, American guitarist, fiddler, and composer (born 1921) Read more
- 2013 — Mariví Bilbao, Spanish actress (born 1930) Read more
- 2013 — Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, German-American author and screenwriter (born 1927) Read more
- 2012 — Mingote, Spanish cartoonist and journalist (born 1919) Read more
- 2012 — Richard Descoings, French civil servant (born 1958) Read more
- 2012 — Govind Narain, Indian politician, 8th Governor of Karnataka (born 1917) Read more
- 2012 — Chief Jay Strongbow, American wrestler (born 1928) Read more
- 2012 — José María Zárraga, Spanish footballer and manager (born 1930) Read more
- 2008 — Hrvoje Ćustić, Croatian footballer (born 1983) Read more
- 2007 — Nina Wang, Chinese businesswoman (born 1937) Read more
- 2005 — François Gérin, Canadian lawyer and politician (born 1944) Read more
- 2000 — Terence McKenna, American botanist and philosopher (born 1946) Read more
- 2000 — Dina Abramowicz, Librarian and YIVO and Yiddish language expert (born 1909) Read more
- 1999 — Lionel Bart, English composer (born 1930) Read more
- 1999 — Geoffrey Walsh, Canadian general (born 1909) Read more
- 1998 — Mary Cartwright, English mathematician and academic (born 1900) Read more
- 1997 — John Ugelstad, Norwegian chemical engineer and inventor (born 1921) Read more
- 1996 — Ron Brown, American captain and politician, 30th United States Secretary of Commerce (born 1941) Read more
- 1995 — Alfred J. Billes, Canadian businessman, co-founded Canadian Tire (born 1902) Read more
- 1994 — Frank Wells, American businessman (born 1932) Read more
- 1993 — Pinky Lee, American television host (born 1907) Read more
- 1991 — Charles Goren, American bridge player and author (born 1901) Read more
Holidays & observances
Christian feast day:
Agape, Chionia, and Irene; Christian feast day:
Burgundofara; Christian feast day:
Joseph the Hymnographer; Christian feast day:
Luigi Scrosoppi; Christian feast day:
Piotr Edward Dankowski; Christian feast day:
Richard of Chichester; Christian feast day:
April 3 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Events, births and deaths from Wikipedia contributors, “April 3”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Lists are selections; the full record lives at the source.