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
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
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
1878day.year
The Russo-Turkish War ends with Bulgaria regaining its independence from the Ottoman Empire according to the Treaty of San Stefano.
The Treaty of San Stefano ended the Russo-Turkish War on March 3, 1878, restoring Bulgaria's independence.
On March 3, 1878, the Treaty of San Stefano was signed between Russia and the Ottoman Empire, bringing the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 to an end. The treaty recognized the autonomy of several Balkan states and granted independent status to Bulgaria, reshaping the region’s political map. It also ceded territories in the Caucasus and the western Balkans to Russia and its allies. The agreement, however, alarmed other European powers, leading to the Congress of Berlin where the treaty’s terms were revised. Despite its short-lived provisions, San Stefano set a precedent for national self-determination in the Balkans. The treaty remains a pivotal moment in Eastern European history, influencing relations between the great powers and the Ottoman Empire. Bulgaria celebrates this day as a significant step toward its nationhood.
1878
Russo-Turkish War
Bulgaria
regaining its independence
Ottoman Empire
Treaty of San Stefano
1918day.year
Russia signs the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, agreeing to withdraw from World War I, and conceding German control of the Baltic States, Belarus and Ukraine. It also conceded Turkish control of Ardahan, Kars and Batumi.
On March 3, 1918, Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, exiting World War I and ceding vast territories to the Central Powers.
On March 3, 1918, Soviet Russia and the Central Powers signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, officially ending Russia’s involvement in World War I. Negotiated by representatives of the new Bolshevik government, the treaty required Russia to cede vast territories, including the Baltic states, Belarus, Ukraine, and parts of the Caucasus, to Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. The agreement allowed the Bolsheviks to focus on internal consolidation and the civil war but at the cost of significant loss of land and resources. The harsh terms shocked many Russians and sparked opposition from factions within the revolutionary government. The treaty’s provisions were nullified when Germany surrendered later that year, and the Allies did not recognize the territorial changes. Nevertheless, Brest-Litovsk marked a dramatic shift in the Eastern Front and underscored the complexities of wartime diplomacy. Historians view the treaty as both a pragmatic necessity for the Bolsheviks and a controversial act of compromise.
1918
Russia
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
World War I
Baltic States
Belarus
Ukraine
Ardahan
Kars
Batumi
1942day.year
World War II: Ten Japanese warplanes raid Broome, Western Australia, killing more than 100 people.
Japanese warplanes launch a surprise raid on Broome, Western Australia, killing over 100 civilians and Allied personnel.
On March 3, 1942, during World War II, ten Japanese aircraft carried out a raid on the coastal town of Broome in Western Australia.
The attack targeted Allied flying boats evacuating refugees and service members.
More than 100 people were killed when planes strafed the harbour and civilian areas.
The raid exposed Australia's vulnerability to attacks on its northern frontier.
In response, Australia fortified its coastal defenses and increased air patrols.
The event remains the largest single air raid on Australian soil.
1942
World War II
Japanese
raid Broome, Western Australia
1944day.year
The Order of Nakhimov and Order of Ushakov are instituted in USSR as the highest naval awards.
The Soviet Union creates the Order of Nakhimov and Order of Ushakov to honor exceptional naval leadership in World War II.
On March 3, 1944, the Soviet government established the Order of Nakhimov and the Order of Ushakov as its premier decorations for naval officers.
Named after Russian Admirals Pavel Nakhimov and Fyodor Ushakov, the awards recognized outstanding command and bravery at sea.
They were awarded in two classes based on rank and merit.
The orders boosted morale within the Soviet Navy during critical sea engagements with Axis forces.
Detailed statutes outlined strict criteria for eligibility and valor.
These honors continue to be celebrated as symbols of maritime heroism.
1944
Order of Nakhimov
Order of Ushakov
USSR
1945day.year
World War II: In poor visibility, the RAF mistakenly bombs the Bezuidenhout area of The Hague, Netherlands, killing 511 people.
A navigational error leads RAF bombers to devastate the residential Bezuidenhout district of The Hague, causing 511 civilian deaths.
On March 3, 1945, Royal Air Force bombers aiming for German V-2 launch sites misidentified their target and struck the Bezuidenhout residential area of The Hague.
Poor weather and blackout conditions contributed to the tragic mistake.
Five hundred eleven civilians were killed and large swaths of the district were destroyed.
The incident strained Allied-Dutch relations and prompted a formal apology.
Reconstruction efforts after the war rebuilt Bezuidenhout with modern urban planning.
Annual commemorations honor the victims and reflect on the fog of war's grim consequences.
1945
RAF
mistakenly bombs
Bezuidenhout
The Hague, Netherlands