March 03

Events

473day.year

Gundobad (nephew of Ricimer) nominates Glycerius as emperor of the Western Roman Empire.

In 473, Gundobad, nephew of the powerful Ricimer, nominates Glycerius as emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
Gundobad, nephew of the powerful magister militum Ricimer, put forward Glycerius as emperor of the Western Roman Empire in 473 after the death of Libius Severus. Lacking traditional dynastic lineage, Glycerius was chosen for his proven administrative skills and loyalty to Ricimer's faction. This appointment underscored the era's military-dominated politics, where generals and warlords controlled imperial succession. Despite his elevation, Glycerius faced immediate legitimacy challenges, as Emperor Leo I of the Eastern Roman Empire refused to recognize his rule. The nomination marked the height of Ricimer's influence and highlighted the fragility of the late Western imperial office. Glycerius's brief reign would remain contested amid the empire's ongoing decline.
473 Gundobad Ricimer Glycerius Western Roman Empire
724day.year

Empress Genshō abdicates the throne in favor of her nephew Shōmu who becomes emperor of Japan.

In 724, Empress Genshō abdicates the Japanese throne in favor of her nephew, Prince Obito, who ascends as Emperor Shōmu.
Genshō, daughter of Emperor Monmu, reigned from 715 as the fifth and final empress regnant of early Japan. On March 3, 724, she abdicated peacefully in favor of her nephew Prince Obito, who became Emperor Shōmu. This transfer ensured dynastic continuity and stability during the Nara period. Under her stewardship, Japan conducted its first nationwide census and saw the growth of Buddhist institutions. Shōmu would later commission the Great Buddha at Tōdai-ji, marking a golden age of art and religion. Genshō's abdication remains a unique example of female imperial succession in Japanese history.
724 Empress Genshō Shōmu Japan
1575day.year

Mughal Emperor Akbar defeats Sultan of Bengal Daud Khan Karrani's army at the Battle of Tukaroi.

In 1575, Mughal Emperor Akbar decisively defeats Daud Khan Karrani’s forces at the Battle of Tukaroi in Bengal.
On March 3, 1575, the Mughal army under Emperor Akbar clashed with Sultan Daud Khan Karrani’s troops at Tukaroi near present-day Odisha. Employing advanced artillery and disciplined cavalry, the Mughals broke the Sultan’s lines and secured a decisive victory. The triumph extended Akbar’s control over Bengal and eastern India, integrating the region into the Mughal Empire. Following the battle, Daud Khan retreated and accepted terms under the Treaty of Katak, ceding key territories. This victory showcased Akbar’s military innovation and strategic acumen. It also marked a turning point in consolidating Mughal supremacy across the subcontinent.
1575 Mughal Akbar Sultan of Bengal Daud Khan Karrani Battle of Tukaroi
1585day.year

The Olympic Theatre, designed by Andrea Palladio, is inaugurated in Vicenza.

In 1585, Andrea Palladio's Olympic Theatre in Vicenza opens as a landmark of Renaissance architecture.
Andrea Palladio's Teatro Olimpico, inaugurated on March 3, 1585, in Vicenza, Italy, is one of the earliest purpose-built indoor theatres of the Renaissance. Commissioned by the local Olympic Academy, the design drew inspiration from ancient Roman theatres and Vitruvian principles. Palladio employed superimposed classical orders and careful acoustics to blend function with aesthetic harmony. The theatre’s scenic stage and seating arrangement influenced European theatre design for centuries. Its ornate façade, featuring Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns, exemplifies Palladio’s mastery of classical architectural language. Today, the Teatro Olimpico remains a celebrated UNESCO World Heritage site and a testament to Renaissance innovation.
1585 Olympic Theatre Andrea Palladio Vicenza
1776day.year

American Revolutionary War: The first amphibious landing of the United States Marine Corps begins the Battle of Nassau.

In 1776, the United States Marine Corps executes its first amphibious landing to seize Nassau in the Bahamas.
On March 3, 1776, Major Samuel Nicholas led the fledgling United States Marine Corps in their inaugural amphibious assault against the British-held port of Nassau. The operation aimed to seize gunpowder and military supplies critical to the Continental Army’s struggle for independence. Marines and sailors disembarked from Continental Navy vessels, capturing Fort Montagu and Fort Nassau with minimal opposition. The successful raid boosted American morale and established the USMC's reputation for expeditionary warfare. Although fewer munitions were found than anticipated, the boldness of the operation set a precedent. The Battle of Nassau remains a defining moment in Marine Corps history.
1776 American Revolutionary War amphibious landing United States Marine Corps Battle of Nassau
1779day.year

American Revolutionary War: The Continental Army is routed at the Battle of Brier Creek near Savannah, Georgia.

In 1779, British forces rout the Continental Army at the Battle of Brier Creek in Georgia.
On March 3, 1779, a British and Loyalist force surprised the Continental Army during a river crossing at Brier Creek near Savannah, Georgia. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Mark Prevost, the attackers executed a flanking maneuver that shattered American defenses. The devastating defeat resulted in approximately 150 killed and over 200 taken prisoner, compelling the Americans to abandon their southern positions. The loss undermined Patriot efforts in the southern theater and bolstered Loyalist morale. It exposed weaknesses in Continental command and highlighted the challenges of coordinating frontier operations. The Battle of Brier Creek underscored the need for improved intelligence and strategy in the Revolutionary War.
1779 Continental Army Battle of Brier Creek Savannah, Georgia
1799day.year

The Russo-Ottoman siege of Corfu ends with the surrender of the French garrison.

In 1799, the Russo-Ottoman siege of Corfu concludes with the French garrison’s surrender on the Ionian island.
On March 3, 1799, after a protracted six-month siege, combined Russo-Ottoman forces compelled the French garrison at Corfu to capitulate. Corfu had been under French control since Napoleon’s 1797 Treaty of Campo Formio. The allied victory secured strategic dominance in the Ionian Sea and led to the creation of the Septinsular Republic under Russo-Ottoman protection. Despite heavy bombardment, French defenders held out until dwindling supplies necessitated surrender. The fall of Corfu highlighted shifting alliances and the complexity of European power struggles at the turn of the 19th century. Control of the island would remain a critical bargaining chip in subsequent diplomatic negotiations.
1799 Russo-Ottoman siege of Corfu
1845day.year

Florida is admitted as the 27th U.S. state.

In 1845, Florida is admitted to the United States as the 27th state.
On March 3, 1845, Florida officially joined the Union as the 27th state after over two decades as a U.S. territory. Statehood was achieved following the drafting of a constitution and negotiations over boundaries with Spain. Florida’s admission maintained the balance of free and slave states during a period of rising sectional tensions. The new state’s economy centered on plantation agriculture, especially cotton and tobacco, relying heavily on enslaved labor. Early statehood challenges included Seminole resistance, infrastructure development, and integrating diverse communities. Florida’s entry into the Union expanded American influence in the Southeast and set the stage for future growth and conflict.
1845 Florida
1849day.year

The Territory of Minnesota is created.

In 1849, the United States establishes the territory of Minnesota as part of its westward expansion.
On March 3, 1849, Congress passed an act creating the Minnesota Territory, carved from parts of the Wisconsin and Iowa territories. The territory stretched north to the Canadian border, encompassing vast forests and fertile prairies. A territorial government was established with a governor and bicameral legislature to guide settlement and governance. The organization of Minnesota Territory reflected the era’s Manifest Destiny and the push for western expansion. Settlers were drawn by logging opportunities, farmland, and the promise of new communities. The foundations laid during the territorial period paved the way for Minnesota’s admission as a state in 1858.
1849 Territory of Minnesota
1857day.year

Second Opium War: France and the United Kingdom declare war on China.

In 1857, France and the United Kingdom jointly declare war on China, igniting the Second Opium War.
On March 3, 1857, Britain and France issued declarations of war against the Qing dynasty, initiating the Second Opium War. The conflict stemmed from trade disputes, diplomatic recognition, and the protection of Christian missionaries in China. Allied forces quickly targeted key coastal defenses and captured Canton, demonstrating superior naval power. The war concluded with the Treaty of Tientsin in 1858, which forced China to open additional ports to foreign trade and grant extraterritorial rights. The conflict revealed the Qing Empire’s military vulnerabilities and deepened foreign influence in China. The Second Opium War had profound effects on Sino-Western relations and spurred internal debates over reform and modernization in China.
1857 Second Opium War
1859day.year

The two-day Great Slave Auction, the largest such auction in United States history, concludes.

The Great Slave Auction of 1859 concluded on March 3, marking the end of the largest slave auction in U.S. history.
From February 28 to March 3, 1859, plantation owner Pierce Mease Butler held the largest slave auction in U.S. history, selling over 400 men, women, and children. This two-day event, known as the Great Slave Auction, took place in Savannah, Georgia. The auction was the result of Butler's financial ruin and intended to satisfy his debts. Families were tragically separated as enslaved individuals were sold to the highest bidders. Reports from the era describe a grim atmosphere as former neighbors were forced apart. The sale shocked abolitionists and intensified debates over slavery in the run-up to the Civil War. It remains one of the starkest examples of the human cost of slavery in America.
1859 Great Slave Auction United States
1861day.year

Alexander II of Russia signs the Emancipation Manifesto, freeing serfs.

Tsar Alexander II issued the Emancipation Manifesto on March 3, 1861, liberating millions of Russian serfs.
On March 3, 1861, Tsar Alexander II signed the Emancipation Manifesto, the landmark decree that liberated more than 23 million serfs across the Russian Empire. This reform ended centuries of serfdom, granting former serfs the rights to marry, own property, and conduct business. The manifesto divided land between landowners and peasants, who received 'temporary obligation' on redemption payments. Although it aimed to modernize Russia's economy and prevent peasant uprisings, many former serfs struggled with heavy debts and limited land allotments. The decree marked a turning point in Russian social history and set the stage for further reforms under Alexander II. It also influenced other European nations grappling with feudal legacies. Despite its flaws, the Emancipation Manifesto remains celebrated as a major milestone in the struggle for personal freedom on this day.
1861 Alexander II of Russia Emancipation Manifesto serfs