Fact 1: The Birth of the Panama Canal
On November 3, 1903, Panama declared independence from Colombia. This led to the establishment of the Panama Canal, one of the most prominent engineering feats of the 20th century. The United States supported Panama's struggle for independence, and in return, was allowed to build the canal, considerably cutting down journey times between the Atlantic and the Pacific.
Fact 2: Vibrant Diversity in Independence Days
November 3rd is celebrated as the Independence Day in four different countries: Panama, Dominica, Micronesia, and the East African nation of Eritrea. This is a testament to the diversity and history of the international community that we are all part of.
Fact 3: The Anniversary of First Dog in Space
November 3, 1957 saw Laika, a stray dog from Moscow, becoming the first-ever living creature from Earth to orbit the planet. Laika's journey paved the way for human space travel, albeit at her own expense as she didn't make it back alive.
Fact 4: Indira Gandhi's Assassination
On November 3, 1984, one of India's strongest and most influential prime ministers, Indira Gandhi, was assassinated. Her death led to a significant political shift in the country and marked one of the most crucial moments in India's modern history.
Fact 5: Emphasizing the Environmental Crisis
November 3 is also celebrated as "Cliché Day" globally, when people are encouraged to reevaluate and ditch overused terms and phrases. More recently, environmental organizations have used this day to address and remove clichés surrounding climate change and green living.
Fact 6: The Publication of "Casino Royale"
The very first James Bond novel, "Casino Royale" by Ian Fleming, was published in the United States on November 3, 1955, marking the beginning of one of the most beloved spy-thrillers’ series and inspired numerous movies.
Fact 7: Theodore Roosevelt's Historic Move
On November 3, 1912, Theodore Roosevelt received the highest number of votes ever obtained by a third-party presidential candidate in the United States. He ran on the ticket of the Progressive Party after leading an important split within the Republican Party.
Fact 8: New York City Marathon's Inception
November 3, 1970 marked the inception of the New York City Marathon, the world's largest marathon by participants. The marathon unites tens of thousands of runners from many nations in a singular celebration of human endurance.
Fact 9: Composer Robert Schumann's Birth
Robert Schumann, one of the most celebrated Romantic composers of the 19th century, was born on November 3, 1810. His compositions continue to influence music students worldwide.
Fact 10: Creation of USSR's First Postal Code System
November 3, 1932, marks the creation of the first postal code system in the USSR. This was an important development in the field of communication and logistics, paving the way for efficient mail delivery systems.
Fact 11: The Opening of the Second Marmaray Tunnel
The Marmaray Tunnel, the underwater rail tunnel connecting European and Asian Istanbul, was opened on November 3, 2013. It's the first-ever tunnel of its kind, marking significant progress in the field of global civil engineering.
Fact 12: Stephen Austin's Birth
Stephen Austin, known as the "Father of Texas", was born on November 3, 1793. His leadership in the colonization of Texas was a crucial element to its eventual annexation by the United States.
Fact 13: The Debut of "The Godfather Part III"
November 3, 1990, was the US film release of "The Godfather Part III", the final installment of the epic crime trilogy that has become a part of world cinema heritage.
Fact 14: US Presidential Elections
In the United States, Presidential Elections are traditionally held on the first Tuesday of November, meaning they could fall on November 3. Both the 1908 and 2020 US Presidential Elections took place on November 3.
Fact 15: Death of Wilhelm Reich
November 3, 1957, signifies the death of Wilhelm Reich, the controversial psychoanalyst known for his odd contributions to theories about human sexuality and orgone.
Fact 16: The Release of "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial"
The iconic movie "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" had its premiere in Japan on November 3, 1982. This film is considered one of Spielberg's finest masterpieces and a beloved childhood staple for many.
Fact 17: The Beginning of the Russian Civil War
The Russian Civil War, a multi-party conflict in the former Russian Empire, began on November 3, 1917, after the October Revolution, leading to drastic political and societal changes.
Fact 18: The Chemical Element with Atomic Number 3
The elemental symbol of the atomic number 3 is 'Li', standing for Lithium. Thus, November 3 is "Lithium Day" for chemistry enthusiasts.
Fact 19: Shakespeare's "The Tempest"
"The Tempest", one of William Shakespeare’s famous plays, was first performed on November 3, 1611, at Whitehall Palace in London.
Fact 20: Historical Earthquake in Kamchatka
On November 3, 1952, an earthquake with a moment magnitude of 9.0 occurred off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia. It caused one of the most powerful tsunamis in recorded history, reminding us of the immense power of nature.