1481day.year
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.
On May 3, 1481, Rhodes experienced the most powerful of three successive earthquakes that shook the island. Contemporary accounts record the collapse of fortifications, public buildings, and private homes across the city. The death toll is estimated at 30,000, making it one of the deadliest seismic events of the medieval Mediterranean. The disaster disrupted trade and defense, leaving the Knights Hospitaller vulnerable to future attacks. Reconstruction efforts took decades, reshaping the urban landscape and prompting new architectural techniques for earthquake resistance.
1481
largest of three earthquakes
Rhodes
1901day.year
The Great Fire of 1901 begins in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Great Fire of 1901 erupted in Jacksonville, Florida, on May 3, devastating much of the city and prompting a major rebuilding effort.
Shortly after midnight on May 3, 1901, a fire broke out in a small bakery storage area in Jacksonville.
Fueled by high winds and wooden buildings, the blaze spread rapidly across the city.
In less than eight hours, it consumed over 2,368 buildings, leaving more than 10,000 residents homeless.
Although the death toll remained relatively low, estimated at seven, the economic losses were staggering.
The disaster led to widespread re-planning, with brick and steel replacing wooden structures.
Jacksonville’s reconstruction transformed its downtown into a modern urban center.
1901
Great Fire of 1901
Jacksonville, Florida
1953day.year
Two men are rescued from a semitrailer that crashed over the side of the Pit River Bridge before it fell into the Sacramento River. Amateur photographer Virginia Schau photographs "Rescue on Pit River Bridge", the first and only winning submission for the Pulitzer Prize for Photography to have been taken by a woman.
In 1953, Virginia Schau captures a dramatic bridge rescue, earning the first Pulitzer Prize for Photography awarded to a woman.
On May 3, 1953, a semitrailer crashed over the edge of the Pit River Bridge above the Sacramento River, trapping two men in peril. Amateur photographer Virginia Schau arrived on the scene and documented the tense rescue in her photograph "Rescue on Pit River Bridge." Her image conveyed raw human drama and the urgency of the moment, capturing the attention of the nation. In a historic decision, the Pulitzer Prize jury honored Schau's work, making her the first and only woman to win the award in photography. Her achievement broke barriers in the field of photojournalism and inspired generations of women photographers. The iconic photograph remains a testament to courage under pressure and the power of visual storytelling.
1953
semitrailer
Pit River Bridge
Sacramento River
Virginia Schau
Pulitzer Prize for Photography
1968day.year
Eighty-five people are killed when Braniff International Airways Flight 352 crashes near Dawson, Texas.
In 1968, Braniff Flight 352 crashes near Dawson, Texas, killing 85 passengers and crew.
On May 3, 1968, Braniff International Airways Flight 352 plunged into the ground near Dawson, Texas, resulting in the deaths of all 85 people on board. The flight, en route from Houston, encountered severe thunderstorms and heavy rain before attempting to land. Witnesses described a sudden, violent impact followed by a large fireball. The crash prompted thorough investigations into airline weather avoidance protocols and cockpit procedures. In response, carriers enhanced pilot training and strengthened safety regulations for operations in adverse conditions. The disaster stands as one of the deadliest in U.S. domestic aviation history.
1968
Braniff International Airways Flight 352
Dawson, Texas
1986day.year
Twenty-one people are killed and forty-one are injured after a bomb explodes on Air Lanka Flight 512 at Colombo airport in Sri Lanka.
In 1986, a bomb detonates on Air Lanka Flight 512 at Colombo airport, killing 21 and injuring 41.
On May 3, 1986, a bomb exploded aboard Air Lanka Flight 512 as passengers boarded at Colombo airport, resulting in 21 fatalities and 41 injuries. The blast tore through the aircraft's cabin, sowing panic and devastation among travelers. Emergency responders rushed to evacuate survivors and secure the site. Authorities launched a full-scale investigation to identify the perpetrators and prevent future attacks. The tragedy highlighted vulnerabilities in airport security during a period of regional unrest. Memorials for the victims serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of violence against civilian aviation.
1986
Air Lanka Flight 512
1999day.year
The southwestern portion of Oklahoma City is devastated by an F5 tornado, killing forty-five people, injuring 665, and causing $1 billion in damage. The tornado is one of 66 from the 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak. This tornado also produces the highest wind speed ever recorded, measured at 484 ± 32 kilometres per hour (301 ± 20 mph). In meteorology, the term "May 3" is synonymous with the F5 tornado.
An F5 tornado struck southwestern Oklahoma City on May 3, 1999, causing massive destruction, 45 fatalities, and over $1 billion in damage.
On May 3, 1999, the southwestern portion of Oklahoma City was devastated by a powerful F5 tornado. Part of the larger 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak, this storm killed 45 people and injured 665 others. It tore through residential and commercial areas, destroying homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. At its peak, wind speeds reached 484 ± 32 kilometers per hour, the highest ever recorded in a tornado. The immense force of this event highlighted the extreme dangers of severe weather. In meteorological circles, May 3 has since become synonymous with this record-breaking tornado.
1999
Oklahoma City
F5 tornado
1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak
2006day.year
Armavia Flight 967 crashes into the Black Sea near Sochi International Airport in Sochi, Russia, killing 113 people.
Armavia Flight 967 crashed into the Black Sea shortly after takeoff from Sochi in May 2006, killing all 113 aboard.
On May 3, 2006, Armavia Flight 967 bound for Moscow veered off course and crashed into the Black Sea moments after departing Sochi International Airport. All 113 passengers and crew members on board were killed in the tragedy. The crash prompted a thorough investigation into potential technical failures, weather conditions, and crew procedures. Russia's aviation authorities and international experts collaborated to analyze flight data recorders and black box recordings. The incident led to enhanced safety checks and operational protocols for regional airlines. Families of the victims and the aviation community awaited answers on the cause of the disaster.
2006
Armavia Flight 967
Black Sea
Sochi International Airport
Sochi
2016day.year
Eighty-eight thousand people are evacuated from their homes in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada as a wildfire rips through the community, destroying approximately 2,400 homes and buildings.
A massive wildfire forced over 88,000 residents to evacuate Fort McMurray, Alberta, in May 2016, destroying around 2,400 structures.
On May 3, 2016, a rapidly spreading wildfire advanced on Fort McMurray, Alberta, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds. Authorities issued a full evacuation order for all 88,000 residents, one of the largest wildfire evacuations in Canadian history. The fire consumed residential neighborhoods, commercial zones, and critical infrastructure, leveling approximately 2,400 buildings. First responders and firefighters battled the blaze under extreme heat and smoke, while makeshift shelters accommodated displaced families. The disaster prompted a national response, including support from provincial and federal agencies. Reconstruction efforts focused on rebuilding homes, restoring services, and improving wildfire preparedness.
2016
Fort McMurray
a wildfire rips through the community
2021day.year
Twenty-six people are killed and ninety-eight are injured after an elevated section of the Mexico City Metro collapses.
An elevated section of the Mexico City Metro collapsed in May 2021, killing 26 people and injuring 98 others.
On May 3, 2021, an elevated metro track in Mexico City suddenly gave way during evening rush hour, sending a train car crashing to the road below. Twenty-six passengers and pedestrians lost their lives, and 98 people sustained injuries of varying severity. Emergency crews worked through the night to rescue survivors and recover those trapped under the debris. The collapse raised urgent questions about infrastructure maintenance, safety inspections, and government oversight of public transit systems. Authorities launched investigations into engineering and construction records to determine the root causes. The tragedy sparked calls for extensive repairs and policy reforms to prevent future incidents.
2021
Mexico City Metro
collapses