On This Day - November 3rd
November isn’t the best-loved month for those of us who just want Christmas to hurry up and arrive – but there are still plenty of reasons to mark each day of this blustery month. If you’re celebrating today, congratulations – there are plenty of different reasons why November 3rd is so well-remembered elsewhere, too. Let’s dive in and take a look at some facts about November 3rd.
On this day
The English passed the Act of Supremacy.
In 1534, English King Henry VIII oversaw Parliament passing the Act of Supremacy – a somewhat controversial move that made Henry and all subsequent monarchs the Head of the Church of England. Times have changed since the monarch had total diplomatic power, but it’s on this date that Henry VIII tipped the balance in his favor.
John Austin made history.
In 1783, John Austin, who had been tried for murder, was hanged for his crimes. What made Austin’s execution noteworthy was the fact he was the last person to be publicly hanged at London’s Tyburn gallows.
John Willis Menard broke down barriers.
In 1868, John Willis Menard from Louisiana became the first elected black US Congressman. However, due to opposition to his election, he never actually sat in Congress. Thankfully, times have changed significantly.
SOS became the new standard code for help!
In 1906, the International Radiotelegraph Conference in Berlin made "SOS" (· · · – – – · · ·) the worldwide standard distress signal for help in Morse code. It continues to be the standard code to this day, even if the telegraph has long since been replaced!
Laika was the first non-human sent to space.
In 1957, the Soviet Union ceremoniously launched Sputnik 2 – and Laika, the space dog, was aboard. Laika was the first non-human animal sent into the stratosphere, and tragically, she didn't survive the whole journey.
Special Days Falling on November 3rd
November 3rd is also very much a date for celebration and commemoration. Here are some of the biggest events taking place around the world today!
Dominican Independence Day
November 3rd celebrates the moment the nation of Dominica became independent on this very day back in 1978. On the way to Independence Day, Heritage Day and Creole Day are celebrated, all marking the nation’s culture and history.
Independence of Cuenca
November 3rd is also the date that Ecuador celebrates the Independence of Cuenca! The day commemorates the moment the city of Cuenca declared its independence in 1820. Interestingly, the city proclaimed its independence from the Spanish before the rest of the country! To honor this, there are parades, parties, and music playing all over the country today!
Maldives Victory Day
In the Maldives, November 3rd is Victory Day! The day celebrates the victory of the Government of Maldives against the forces that tried to coup against them. It is a federal holiday that is celebrated throughout the nation with parades, parties, speeches, and, of course, a flag-hoisting ceremony.
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This page was last modified on November 1, 2023. Suggest an edit
This month in history
Communist rule came to an end in Czechoslovakia, with November 1989 marking an end to 41 years of control. The end of Czech communism arose thanks to a 12-day revolution sparked by the state beating protestors. Vaclav Havel led voting to repeal the sole power of the Communist Party, and became President there in the country’s first free elections since the end of World War II.
Famous Birthdays on November 3rd
If you were born on November 3rd…
…you’re a Scorpio! You’re a very private person, and you value loyalty above all else. You can be a bit distrusting of people, but only because you have learned from experiences! However, those who make it into your heart stay there forever as long as they don’t cross you. Scorpios make fantastic friends and reliable partners, meaning you’ve got lots to be proud about, even if you do have a sting in your tail!
Learn more from our Scorpio facts page!
