On this day: 3 May

Selected events and births on 3 May, from Wikipedia’s “On this day”.

Events

• 1491 – Nkuwu Nzinga, the ruler of the Kingdom of Kongo, was baptised as João I by Portuguese missionaries. Read more: Kingdom of Kongo João I of Kongo
• 1791 – The Great Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth ratified the first codified national constitution in Europe. Read more: Great Sejm Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Constitution of 3 May 1791
• 1848 – Thomas Bateman excavated a high-status barrow, discovering objects including the boar-crested Benty Grange helmet, and the Benty Grange hanging bowl Read more: Thomas Bateman (antiquary) Tumulus Germanic boar helmet
• 1911 – Edith Maryon's statuette The Dance of Anitra, one of the few of her works known to survive in private hands, was exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts. Read more: Edith Maryon The Dance of Anitra Works of Edith Maryon
• 1913 – Raja Harishchandra, the first Indian feature-length film, was released. Read more: Raja Harishchandra Cinema of India
• 1915 – The oldest Royal Air Force station in continuous operation, RAF Northolt, opened as home to No. 4 Reserve Aeroplane Squadron. Read more: Royal Air Force RAF Northolt
• 1921 – Under the British Government of Ireland Act, Ireland was partitioned into two self-governing territories, Northern and Southern Ireland. Read more: Government of Ireland Act 1920 Partition of Ireland Northern Ireland
• 1947 – A new Constitution of Japan went into effect, providing for a parliamentary system of government, guaranteeing certain fundamental rights, and relegating the Japanese monarchy to a purely ceremonial role. Read more: Constitution of Japan Parliamentary system Government of Japan
• 1960 – The Off-Broadway show The Fantasticks premiered, eventually becoming the world's longest-running musical, with 17,162 performances across 42 years. Read more: Off-Broadway The Fantasticks
• 1963 – Police in Birmingham, Alabama, used high-pressure water hoses and dogs against civil-rights protesters, bringing scrutiny on racial segregation in the southern United States. Read more: Birmingham, Alabama Birmingham campaign Civil rights movement
• 1971 – Erich Honecker became First Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, the governing party of East Germany. Read more: Erich Honecker Socialist Unity Party of Germany East Germany
• 2007 – Three-year-old British girl Madeleine McCann disappeared from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal; she has never been found. Read more: Disappearance of Madeleine McCann Praia da Luz

Born on this day

• 1941 – Nona Gaprindashvili, Georgian chess player, Women's World Champion, 1962-1978 Read more: Nona Gaprindashvili Women's World Chess Championship
• 1942 – Butch Otter, American soldier and politician, 32nd Governor of Idaho Read more: Butch Otter List of governors of Idaho
• 1943 – Jim Risch, American lawyer and politician, 31st Governor of Idaho Read more: Jim Risch List of governors of Idaho
• 1959 – Uma Bharti, Indian activist and politician, 16th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Read more: Uma Bharti Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh
• 1971 – Douglas Carswell, British politician, the first elected MP for the UK Independence Party Read more: Douglas Carswell UK Independence Party
• 1996 – Mary Cain, American runner Read more: Mary Cain (athlete)
• 1996 – Alex Iwobi, Nigerian footballer Read more: Alex Iwobi
• 1997 – Desiigner, American rapper Read more: Desiigner
• 1999 – Tom Hartley, English cricketer Read more: Tom Hartley (cricketer)
• 1999 – Ella Langley, American singer-songwriter Read more: Ella Langley
• 2001 – Rachel Zegler, American actress and singer Read more: Rachel Zegler
• 2003 – Florian Wirtz, German footballer Read more: Florian Wirtz

Text from Wikipedia: Selected anniversaries / May 3 and the linked articles, via the Wikimedia “On this day” feed, under CC BY-SA 4.0. We leave out entries about wars, violence and disasters to keep this page family-friendly.