Sept 3rd in History: WWII, eBay’s Launch & Royal Coronations
September 3rd stands as a pivotal date in global history, marking the beginning of world-altering conflicts, the birth of modern nations, and the tragic loss of lives in both war and peace. From the coronation of medieval kings to the high-tech exploration of Mars, these are the events that shaped our world on this day.
Global Turning Points
- 1189: The Lionheart is Crowned: Richard the Lionheart is coronated as King of England at Westminster Abbey, beginning a reign defined by the Crusades and chivalric legend.
- 1783: American Independence Secured: The United Kingdom and the United States sign the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the American Revolutionary War and recognizing the U.S. as a sovereign nation.
- 1939: The Outbreak of WWII: Two days after Nazi Germany invades Poland, Great Britain and France declare war on Germany. The conflict claims its first maritime victims the same day when a German U-boat sinks the British liner Athenia, killing 112 people.
- 1971: Qatar Gains Independence: Qatar officially ends its status as a British protectorate, becoming a sovereign state.
- 1976: A View from Mars: NASA’s Viking 2 probe successfully touches down on the Martian surface, transmitting the first color photographs of the Red Planet back to Earth.
- 2017: Nuclear Tensions: North Korea sparks global alarm by successfully testing a hydrogen bomb designed for intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Portuguese History and Culture
- 1513: African Conquest: Portuguese forces led by Dom Jaime, Duke of Bragança, conquer the Moroccan city of Azemmour.
- 1758: The Távora Affair: An assassination attempt on King José I leads to a brutal crackdown and the eventual execution of the noble Távora family.
- 1759: Expulsion of the Jesuits: A royal decree formally proscribes and expels the Society of Jesus from Portugal and its overseas territories.
- 2010: The Casa Pia Verdict: One of Portugal’s most high-profile legal cases concludes with the sentencing of several prominent figures, including Carlos Cruz and Carlos Silvino, for sexual abuse.
- 2025: Tragic Derailment: The Glória Funicular in Lisbon derails, resulting in 16 deaths and 22 injuries, leading to a decree of national mourning.
Milestones in Arts, Science, and Sports
- 1883: Literary Giants: Birth of Portuguese historian António Sérgio and the death of acclaimed Russian novelist Ivan Turgenev, author of Fathers and Sons.
- 1967: Dagen H in Sweden: In a massive logistical feat known as “H Day,” Sweden switches all road traffic from the left-hand side to the right-hand side.
- 1995: The Birth of eBay: Programmer Pierre Omidyar launches “Auction Web,” the site that would eventually revolutionize global e-commerce as eBay.
- 2023: Verstappen’s Perfection: Max Verstappen wins the Italian Grand Prix, setting a Formula 1 record with 10 consecutive race victories.
Notable Passings
- 1962: E. E. Cummings, the avant-garde American poet (aged 67).
- 1991: Frank Capra, the Oscar-winning director of It’s a Wonderful Life (aged 94).
- 2012: Michael Clarke Duncan, American actor known for The Green Mile (aged 54).
- 2016: Maria Isabel Barreno, influential Portuguese writer and one of the “Three Marias” (aged 77).
“I prize liberty. And I have never expected liberty to be anything less than inconvenient.” — E. E. Cummings (1894-1962)
