October 03

In Korean legend, Hwanung descended from heaven on Mount Taebaek, marking the mythical founding of Gojoseon. This day is celebrated as Gaecheonjeol, or National Foundation Day, commemorating the birth of the first Korean kingdom. Modern festivities include ceremonies, parades, and cultural performances across South Korea. The holiday reflects national pride and the deep roots of Korean identity in ancient mythology. It remains one of South Korea's most significant public holidays.

President George Washington proclaimed November 26, 1789 as a national day of thanksgiving for the new United States. This proclamation followed the ratification of the Constitution and the end of the Revolutionary War. Washington’s Thanksgiving set a precedent for annual celebrations of gratitude and harvest. Colonial traditions of giving thanks were united under federal recognition. The holiday evolved over centuries into a central part of American cultural identity. It laid the groundwork for the modern Thanksgiving holiday observed today.

As the American Civil War raged, President Abraham Lincoln sought to unify the nation with a shared day of thanksgiving. On October 3, 1863, he issued a proclamation calling for Americans to observe the last Thursday of November as a day of gratitude. This marked the first national Thanksgiving holiday since the 18th century, elevating what had been regional celebrations. Lincoln's declaration aimed to foster a spirit of unity and hope amid the turmoil of war. The holiday tradition grew over the following decades, eventually becoming an annual fixture in American culture. Today, Thanksgiving remains a time for families to gather, reflect, and give thanks.

On October 3, 1949, WERD launched in Atlanta as the first radio station in the United States owned and operated by African Americans. Founded by Jesse B. Blayton Sr., WERD provided a new voice for black communities through dedicated music, news, and commentary. The station offered programming tailored to African American audiences during segregation. WERD’s success paved the way for greater representation in the broadcasting industry and inspired other minority-owned media outlets. Its groundbreaking on-air content helped foster cultural pride and community cohesion across the American South.

On October 3, 1981, the prisoners at Maze (Long Kesh) Prison in Northern Ireland ended their hunger strike after seven months. The protest, led by Irish Republican inmates, aimed to regain political status removed by the British government. Over the course of the strike, ten prisoners died, including Bobby Sands, who was elected to the British Parliament during the protest. The strike drew international attention to the conflict known as the Troubles and increased pressure on the UK government. While the prisoners did not regain full status, the event influenced later negotiations and remains a symbol of political resistance.

On October 3, 1990, the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) officially dissolved and merged into the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany). This historic reunification ended over four decades of division following the end of World War II. The process was enabled by the Unification Treaty, which integrated East German states under West German law and institutions. Celebrations erupted across Berlin, especially at the Brandenburg Gate, symbolizing the fall of the Iron Curtain. German Unity Day was established to commemorate this event as the national holiday of unified Germany. Reunification brought significant economic, social, and political challenges as the two societies adjusted to a single system. Nevertheless, this milestone marked the end of Cold War Europe and the beginning of a new era for the German nation.

On October 3, 1995, a jury in Los Angeles delivered a not-guilty verdict for former football star O. J. Simpson in the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. The trial, which lasted over eight months, became a media sensation due to its legal intricacies and racial tensions. Key elements included the controversial handling of DNA evidence and the infamous 'if it doesn't fit, you must acquit' moment. The verdict deeply divided public opinion across racial and social lines in the United States. Legal experts later debated the impact of high-profile celebrity cases on the justice system. The trial highlighted issues of police procedure, forensic science, and media influence. It remains one of the most watched legal proceedings in American history.

On October 3, 2013, a wooden vessel carrying migrants from North Africa capsized near the Italian island of Lampedusa. The overcrowded boat encountered rough seas and began taking on water before it sank. Italian Coast Guard and local fishermen mounted a rescue operation, but hundreds drowned in the choppy Mediterranean. The disaster became one of the deadliest migrant shipwrecks in recent history. It drew international attention to the perilous journeys undertaken by refugees and migrants. Governments and NGOs faced renewed pressure to enhance sea rescue efforts and address root causes of migration. The Lampedusa tragedy spurred calls for stronger European cooperation on asylum and border policies.