May 03
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Abhai(Syriac Orthodox Church), Antonia and Alexander, Juvenal of Narni, Moura(Coptic Church), PhilipandJames the Lesser, Pope Alexander I, Sarah the Martyr(Coptic Church), The Most Holy Virgin Mary, Queen of Poland, Theodosius of Kiev(Eastern Orthodox Church), May 3 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A celebration of multiple Christian feast days on May 3, honoring saints venerated in the Syriac Orthodox, Coptic, and Eastern Orthodox traditions.
Constitution Memorial Day(Japan)
A national holiday in Japan on May 3 that commemorates the enactment of the post-war constitution.
Constitution Day (Poland)
A Polish national holiday on May 3 celebrating the adoption of the Constitution of 3 May 1791, one of Europe’s earliest modern constitutions.
Finding of the Holy Cross-related observances:
Fiesta de las Cruces(Spain andHispanic America)
A festive celebration known as Fiesta de las Cruces on May 3 in Spain and Hispanic America, commemorating the discovery of the True Cross.
International Sun Day
An annual observance on May 3 promoting awareness of solar energy and the sun’s vital role in sustaining life and technology.
World Press Freedom Day
A United Nations observance on May 3 dedicated to celebrating press freedom and advocating media independence worldwide.
Abhai(Syriac Orthodox Church)
A feast day in the Syriac Orthodox Church honoring Saint Abhai on May 3.
Antonia and Alexander
Commemoration of the martyrs Antonia and Alexander on May 3 in Christian liturgical calendars.
Juvenal of Narni
Feast day of Saint Juvenal of Narni, a 4th-century bishop and evangelist, celebrated on May 3.
Events
Mayan king Bird Jaguar IV of Yaxchilan in modern-day Chiapas, Mexico, assumes the throne.
On May 3, 752, Bird Jaguar IV ascended the throne of the Maya city-state of Yaxchilan in modern-day Chiapas, ushering in a new dynastic era.
The largest of three earthquakes strikes the island of Rhodes and causes an estimated 30,000 casualties.
A devastating earthquake struck Rhodes on May 3, 1481, killing an estimated 30,000 people and causing widespread destruction.
Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries, adopting the baptismal name of João I.
On May 3, 1491, King Nkuwu Nzinga of the Kingdom of Kongo was baptized by Portuguese missionaries, taking the Christian name João I and initiating cultural and religious transformation.
Angered by the brutal onslaught of Spanish troops at Fort Caroline, a French force burns the San Mateo fort and massacres hundreds of Spaniards.
Angered by the Spanish assault at Fort Caroline, French forces burned the San Mateo fort and massacred hundreds of Spaniards on May 3, 1568.
Treaty of Loudun ends a French civil war.
The Treaty of Loudun, signed on May 3, 1616, ended a French civil conflict and temporarily restored peace by granting concessions to rebellious nobles.
A total solar eclipse is visible across northern Europe and northern Asia, as predicted by Edmond Halley to within four minutes accuracy.
A total solar eclipse crossed northern Europe and Asia on May 3, 1715, its path and timing accurately predicted by Edmond Halley.
The Constitution of May 3 (the first modern constitution in Europe) is proclaimed by the Sejm of Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
The Constitution of May 3, 1791, was proclaimed by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth's Sejm, establishing the first modern codified constitution in Europe.
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.
Washington, D.C. was officially incorporated as a city on May 3, 1802, adopting a mayor-council form of government.
Finnish War: Sweden loses the fortress of Sveaborg to Russia.
During the Finnish War, Swedish forces surrendered the fortress of Sveaborg to Russia on May 3, 1808, shifting control of Finland's defenses.
Births
Kʼan Joy Chitam I
An early Maya ruler of the city-state Palenque in present-day Mexico.
Constantine III
A 7th-century Byzantine emperor who briefly ruled the Eastern Roman Empire.
Emilia Bicchieri
An Italian medieval saint and founder of a religious community in Vercelli.
Louis
A French prince of the Capetian dynasty, Count of Évreux and son of King Philip III.
Cecily Neville
English noblewoman known as the 'Rose of Raby,' Duchess of York and matriarch of the House of York.
Pedro González de Mendoza
Spanish cardinal and statesman who served as a leading advisor to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand.
Duchess of Burgundy and sister of King Edward IV of England.
Raffaele Riario
Italian cardinal and patron of Renaissance art and learning.
Niccolò Machiavelli
Italian diplomat, philosopher, and author of 'The Prince,' a foundational work of political theory.
Deaths
Tōchi
A Japanese princess of the Asuka period, member of the imperial lineage.
Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil
A Mayan ajaw (king) of Calakmul renowned for his long reign and dynastic achievements.
Countess of Boulogne and queen consort of England, noted for her military leadership during the Anarchy.
King of Hungary whose rebuilding efforts after the Mongol invasion earned him the epithet second founder of his kingdom.
John I
Duke of Brabant celebrated for his wealth, knighthood, and participation in the Eighth Crusade.
Alexios II Megas Komnenos
Emperor of Trebizond whose long reign was marked by court intrigue and consolidation of his dynasty.
An antipope elected by the Council of Pisa during the Western Schism, who claimed the papacy from 1409 to 1410.
Mehmed the Conqueror
The Ottoman sultan who captured Constantinople in 1453, ending the Byzantine Empire and expanding Ottoman power.
John Devereux
9th Baron Ferrers of Chartley, an English noble navigating the transition between Yorkist and Tudor rule.