March 3: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On March 3, 1861, Tsar Alexander II signed the Emancipation Manifesto, freeing millions of Russian serfs—and that's just one of the day's world-changing moments.
About March 3
March 3 carries a remarkable streak of liberation stories. In 1861, Tsar Alexander II signed the Emancipation Manifesto, freeing Russia's serfs and reshaping a vast empire. Seventeen years later on the same date, the Treaty of San Stefano ended the Russo-Turkish War and restored Bulgaria's independence from Ottoman rule—an event still celebrated as Liberation Day across that nation. And in Japan, March 3 brings Hinamatsuri, the Doll Festival, a centuries-old celebration of girls' health and happiness featuring ornamental doll displays.
The date also brims with firsts and milestones. In 1776, the United States Marine Corps conducted its inaugural amphibious landing, launching the Battle of Nassau. Florida became the 27th U.S. state in 1845. In 1891, Shoshone National Forest was established as the first national forest in the world. Time magazine published its debut issue on this day in 1923, and in 1969, NASA launched Apollo 9 to test the lunar module that would soon carry humans to the Moon.
Among the famous faces born on March 3, Alexander Graham Bell arrives in 1847, forever changing human communication with the telephone. Jamsetji Tata, born in 1839, founded what would become India's largest conglomerate. Jean Harlow, the original "Blonde Bombshell" of Hollywood, was born in 1911, and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, widely regarded as the greatest female athlete of the 20th century, arrived in 1962.
Holidays & Observances on March 3
- Hinamatsuri or "Girl's Day" (Japan)
- Liberation and Freedom Day (Charlottesville, Virginia, USA)
- Liberation Day (Bulgaria)
- Martyrs' Day (Malawi)
- Mother's Day (Georgia)
- Sportsmen's Day (Egypt)
- World Hearing Day
- World Wildlife Day
Fun & National Days on March 3
- 33 Flavors Day — Celebrate the joy of Baskin-Robbins' famous 31 flavors—plus two bonus scoops of imagination.
- Canadian Bacon Day — Toast this lean, smoky delicacy by stacking it high on a breakfast sandwich or a Hawaiian pizza.
- IHOP National Pancake Day — Stack them sky-high and drown them in syrup—IHOP's beloved celebration of fluffy, buttery perfection.
- I Want You to be Happy Day — Do something unexpectedly kind for someone today—the simplest gesture can turn a whole day around.
- National Anthem Day — Belting "The Star-Spangled Banner" in the shower is entirely acceptable on this patriotic occasion.
- National Cold Cuts Day — Build the most ambitious deli sandwich of your life and savor every salty, savory layer.
- National Moscow Mule Day — Pour vodka, ginger beer, and lime into that iconic copper mug for a refreshing kick.
- National Mulled Wine Day — Simmer red wine with spices and citrus for a cozy, aromatic drink best enjoyed by candlelight.
- National Soup it Forward Day — Make a big pot of homemade soup and share a warm bowl with someone who could use comfort.
- National Sportsmanship Day — Cheer loudly, shake hands sincerely, and remember that how you play matters more than winning.
On This Day in History
- 724 — Empress Genshō steps down from the Japanese throne, passing power to her nephew Shōmu, who becomes the 45th emperor of Japan.
- 1776 — The United States Marine Corps executes its first amphibious landing, launching the Battle of Nassau in the American Revolutionary War.
- 1845 — Florida officially joins the Union as the 27th state of the United States, a milestone in America's westward expansion.
- 1861 — Tsar Alexander II signs the Emancipation Manifesto, liberating millions of serfs and fundamentally transforming Russian society.
- 1878 — The Treaty of San Stefano concludes the Russo-Turkish War, restoring Bulgaria's independence from the Ottoman Empire.
- 1891 — Shoshone National Forest is established in Wyoming, becoming the first national forest in the United States and the world.
- 1913 — Thousands of women march through Washington, D.C. in the Woman Suffrage Procession, demanding the right to vote.
- 1923 — Time magazine publishes its first issue, introducing a revolutionary approach to news coverage in America.
- 1924 — The Ottoman Caliphate is formally abolished when Caliph Abdülmecid II is deposed, ending a centuries-old Islamic institution.
- 1938 — Oil is discovered in Saudi Arabia, launching the kingdom's transformation into a global energy superpower.
- 1969 — NASA launches Apollo 9 into Earth orbit, conducting the first crewed test flight of the lunar module.
- 2005 — Steve Fossett becomes the first person to fly an airplane non-stop solo around the world without refueling.
Famous Birthdays on March 3
- 1831 — George Pullman, American engineer and businessman who revolutionized railroad travel with his luxury sleeping cars.
- 1839 — Jamsetji Tata, Indian industrialist who founded the Tata Group, now one of the world's largest conglomerates.
- 1845 — Georg Cantor, Russian-German mathematician who founded set theory and transformed our understanding of infinity.
- 1847 — Alexander Graham Bell, Scottish-American inventor who created the telephone in 1876, revolutionizing global communication forever.
- 1911 — Jean Harlow, Hollywood's original "Blonde Bombshell," a 1930s screen icon who died tragically young at 26.
- 1918 — Arthur Kornberg, American biochemist who won the 1959 Nobel Prize for discovering DNA polymerase, advancing genetics.
- 1958 — Miranda Richardson, Acclaimed English actress known for versatile roles from "Damage" to the "Harry Potter" films.
- 1959 — Ira Glass, American radio producer and host of "This American Life," transforming the modern audio storytelling landscape.
- 1962 — Jackie Joyner-Kersee, American heptathlete widely ranked among the greatest female athletes in history, winning three Olympic golds.
- 1970 — Julie Bowen, Emmy-winning American actress beloved for her roles in "Modern Family" and "Happy Gilmore."