Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
October 3 Saturday, October 3, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on October 3 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
6
Holidays
Religion 4483 years ago
Gaecheonjeol, Hwanung (환웅) purportedly descended from heaven. South Korea's National Foundation Day.
According to Korean mythology, Hwanung descended from heaven to establish the first Korean civilization, an event commemorated as Gaecheonjeol, South Korea's National Foundation Day.
History
What happened on October 3
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -2457Religion
Gaecheonjeol, Hwanung (환웅) purportedly descended from heaven. South Korea's National Foundation Day.
According to Korean mythology, Hwanung descended from heaven to establish the first Korean civilization, an event commemorated as Gaecheonjeol, South Korea's National Foundation Day.
- -52War
Gallic Wars: Vercingetorix, leader of the Gauls, surrenders to the Romans under Julius Caesar, ending the siege and battle of Alesia.
Vercingetorix surrenders to Julius Caesar, ending the siege of Alesia and concluding a significant chapter in the Gallic Wars.
- -42War
Liberators' civil war: Triumvirs Mark Antony and Octavian fight to a draw Caesar's assassins Brutus and Cassius in the first part of the Battle of Philippi, where Cassius commits suicide believing the battle is lost.
Mark Antony and Octavian fight Brutus and Cassius to a draw in the first phase of the Battle of Philippi, leading to Cassius's suicide.
- 382European history
Roman Emperor Theodosius I concludes a peace treaty with the Goths and settles them in the Balkans.
Theodosius I concludes a peace treaty with the Goths and grants them settlement rights in the Balkans.
- 1392World history
Muhammed VII becomes the twelfth sultan of the Emirate of Granada.
Muhammed VII ascends to power as the twelfth sultan of the Emirate of Granada.
- 1574European history
The Siege of Leiden is lifted by the Watergeuzen.
The Watergeuzen lift the Siege of Leiden by sailing up the Rhine River with supplies and reinforcements.
- 1683World history
Qing dynasty naval commander Shi Lang receives the surrender of the Tungning kingdom on Taiwan after the Battle of Penghu.
Shi Lang accepts the surrender of the Tungning kingdom on Taiwan following his victory in the Battle of Penghu.
- 1739War
The Treaty of Niš is signed by the Ottoman Empire and Russia ending the Russian-Turkish War.
The Treaty of Niš ends the Russian-Turkish War, concluding hostilities between the Ottoman Empire and Russia.
- 1792War
A militia departs from the Spanish stronghold of Valdivia to quell a Huilliche uprising in southern Chile.
A militia leaves Valdivia to suppress an uprising by the Huilliche people in southern Chile.
- 1863US history
The last Thursday in November is declared as Thanksgiving Day by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln declares the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving, establishing the modern American holiday.
- 1873US history
Chief Kintpuash and companions are hanged for their part in the Modoc War of northern California.
Chief Kintpuash and his companions are executed for their involvement in the Modoc War.
- 1951War
Korean War: The First Battle of Maryang San pits Commonwealth troops against communist Chinese troops.
Commonwealth forces engage Chinese troops in the First Battle of Maryang San during the Korean War, a fierce struggle for strategic high ground.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 3
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 77
Laurie Simmons
American photographer and director
Laurie Simmons, an American photographer and filmmaker pivotal to The Pictures Generation for her staged photographs using dolls and mannequins, turns 77 today.
Born
1949
Turns 77
today
Saint Casimir
Prince of Poland and Duke of Lithuania
1458 – 1484
Edward Oliver LeBlanc
Dominican lawyer and politician, 1st Premier of Dominica
1923 – 2004
Chubby Checker
American singer-songwriter
b. 1941 · 85
Gwen Stefani
American singer-songwriter, actress, and fashion designer
b. 1969 · 57
Jonna Lee
Swedish singer and musician
b. 1981 · 45
Ashlee Simpson
American singer-songwriter and actress
b. 1984 · 42
Music
The number one songs on October 3
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on October 3, 1991
"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You"
by Bryan Adams
#1 for 16 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 2025"Golden"— Huntrix / Ejae / Audrey Nuna / Rei Ami & KPop Demon Hunters Cast
- 2024"Taste"— Sabrina Carpenter
- 2023"Paint the Town Red"— Doja Cat
- 2022"I'm Good (Blue)"— David Guetta and Bebe Rexha
- 2021"Shivers"— Ed Sheeran
- 2020"Mood"— 24kGoldn featuring Iann Dior
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport October 3, 1919
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Adolfo Luque becomes the first Latin American player to appear in a World Series.
Adolfo Luque becomes the first Latin American player to pitch in a World Series.
Read the story
🔬 Science October 3, 1986
TASCC, a superconducting cyclotron at the Chalk River Laboratories in Canada, is officially opened.
TASCC, a superconducting cyclotron, is officially opened at the Chalk River Laboratories in Canada.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
3 October Festival (Leiden, Netherlands)
International
The 3 October Festival is a festival in Leiden, the Netherlands
German Unity Day (Germany)
International
German Unity Day is the National Day of Germany, celebrated on 3 October as a public holiday
Mean Girls Day
International
Mean Girls is a 2004 American teen comedy film produced by Lorne Michaels and directed by Mark Waters from a screenplay by Tina Fey
Morazán Day (Honduras)
International
Public holidays in Honduras are primarily centered on Christianity and the commemoration of significant events in Honduran history
National Day, celebrates the independence of Iraq from the United Kingdom in 1932.
International
This is a list of public holidays in Iraq
National Foundation Day or Gaecheonjeol (South Korea)
International
Gaecheonjeol is a public holiday in South Korea on 3 October
❝
We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies.
— Abraham Lincoln · born October 3, 1809