This Day in History
Today: May 3, 2026
752
Mayan king Bird Jaguar IV of Yaxchilan in modern-day Chiapas, Mexico, assumes the throne.
1481
The largest of three earthquakes strikes the island of Rhodes and causes an estimated 30,000 casualties.
1491
Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries, adopting the baptismal name of João I.
1568
Angered by the brutal onslaught of Spanish troops at Fort Caroline, a French force burns the San Mateo fort and massacres hundreds of Spaniards.[1]
1616
Treaty of Loudun ends a French civil war.
1715
A total solar eclipse is visible across northern Europe and northern Asia, as predicted by Edmond Halley to within four minutes accuracy.
1791
The Constitution of May 3 (the first modern constitution in Europe) is proclaimed by the Sejm of Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
1802
Washington, D.C. is incorporated as a city after Congress abolishes the Board of Commissioners, the District's founding government. The "City of Washington" is given a mayor-council form of government.[2]
1808
Finnish War: Sweden loses the fortress of Sveaborg to Russia.
1808
Peninsular War: The Madrid rebels who rose up on May 2 are executed near Príncipe Pío hill.
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