Discover the Historical Events and Famous People Born on September 3

September 3 is a day full of interesting events and famous births throughout history. From changes in how we measure time to important battles and amazing achievements, this day has seen it all. Let’s explore some of the most important things that happened on September 3 and learn about some famous people born on this day.

Historical Events on September 3

1. 1501: Nicolás de Ovando y Cáceres Becomes Governor of the Indies

In 1501, Queen Isabella I of Spain chose Nicolás de Ovando y Cáceres to be the new Governor of the Indies. This was a big deal because Spain had just started exploring and settling in the Americas, which they called “the Indies.”

Ovando’s job was very important. He had to manage the new Spanish colonies in the Caribbean. These colonies were Spain’s first step in taking over much of the Americas. Ovando was known for being strict and sometimes cruel to the native people. He also started bringing African slaves to the Americas, which had terrible long-term effects.

Under Ovando’s rule, the Spanish colonies grew and became stronger. He built new towns and started gold mining. This helped make Spain rich and powerful. However, his harsh treatment of the native people caused a lot of suffering and began the destruction of their cultures.

2. 1752: Britain Adopts the Gregorian Calendar

On September 3, 1752, Britain and its colonies, including America, switched to a new way of keeping track of time called the Gregorian Calendar. This was a big change that caused some confusion and even anger among people.

Before this, Britain used the Julian Calendar, which was a bit off. It was about 11 minutes too long each year. Over many years, this small difference added up. By 1752, the calendar was 11 days behind the actual seasons.

To fix this, the British government decided to skip 11 days. September 3, 1752 was followed by September 14, 1752. This sudden jump confused and upset many people. Some thought the government had stolen 11 days of their lives! There were even riots in some places.

In the long run, this change was good. It made sure that important dates, like the start of seasons, stayed in the right place on the calendar. It also made it easier for Britain to work with other countries that had already changed to the Gregorian Calendar.

3. 1912: Arnold Schoenberg’s “Five Pieces for Orchestra” Premieres

On September 3, 1912, a new and very different kind of music was played for the first time in London. It was called “Five Pieces for Orchestra” and was written by Arnold Schoenberg, an Austrian composer.

Schoenberg was known for writing music that didn’t follow the usual rules. His “Five Pieces for Orchestra” was so new and strange that it shocked many people who heard it. The music didn’t have a clear melody or rhythm that people could easily follow.

This premiere was a big moment in the history of classical music. It showed that music could be very different from what people were used to. Schoenberg’s work opened the door for many new ways of making music in the 20th century.

4. 1936: Franco’s Troops Conquer Irun and Talavera de la Reina

On September 3, 1936, during the Spanish Civil War, troops led by Francisco Franco took control of two important cities: Irun and Talavera de la Reina.

The Spanish Civil War was a fight between two groups in Spain: the Republicans, who supported the elected government, and the Nationalists, led by Franco, who wanted to take over the country.

Irun was an important city because it was near the border with France. By taking it, Franco’s forces cut off one of the main ways the Republicans could get help from other countries. Talavera de la Reina was on the way to Madrid, Spain’s capital city. Winning this city helped Franco’s troops move closer to taking over the whole country.

These victories were big steps for Franco’s side in the war. They showed that his forces were getting stronger and helped him eventually win the war and rule Spain for many years.

5. 1956: Johnny Longden Becomes the Winningest Jockey

On September 3, 1956, Johnny Longden, an American jockey, broke a big record in horse racing. He won his 4,871st race, riding a horse named Arrogate in the Del Mar Handicap. This win made him the jockey with the most wins ever, beating the old record set by Sir Gordon Richards from Britain.

Longden was born in England but moved to Canada as a child and later became an American citizen. He had a long and successful career as a jockey, which is someone who rides horses in races. His record-breaking win showed how skilled and dedicated he was.

This achievement was a big deal in the world of horse racing. It showed that American jockeys could be just as good as, or even better than, jockeys from other countries with longer horse racing traditions.

Famous Birthdays on September 3

1. Eugène de Beauharnais (1781-1824)

Eugène de Beauharnais was born in Paris on September 3, 1781. He became an important person in French history because his mother married Napoleon Bonaparte, who became the ruler of France.

Eugène had a successful military career. He fought in many of Napoleon’s battles and became a skilled leader. Napoleon made him the Viceroy of Italy, which meant he ruled Italy for Napoleon.

Even though Napoleon was not his real father, Eugène was loyal to him. He helped Napoleon in many ways, both in war and in running the government. After Napoleon lost power, Eugène lived in Bavaria, where he was respected for his past achievements.

2. Louis Sullivan (1856-1924)

Louis Sullivan was born on September 3, 1856, in Boston. He became one of the most important architects in American history. People call him the “father of skyscrapers” because he helped create the first tall buildings in Chicago.

Sullivan believed that the shape of a building should be based on what it’s used for. This idea, “form follows function,” became very important in modern architecture. He also liked to decorate his buildings with beautiful patterns inspired by nature.

Some of Sullivan’s most famous buildings are the Wainwright Building in St. Louis and the Guaranty Building in Buffalo. These buildings showed how steel could be used to make tall, strong structures that were also beautiful.

Sullivan’s ideas and designs had a big impact on many other architects. He taught Frank Lloyd Wright, another very famous architect. Even though Sullivan’s career had ups and downs, his work is still admired and studied today.

3. Whitey Bulger (1929-2018)

Whitey Bulger was born on September 3, 1929, in Boston. He became one of the most infamous criminals in American history. Bulger grew up in a poor neighborhood and turned to crime at a young age.

As an adult, Bulger became the leader of a criminal group called the Winter Hill Gang. They were involved in many illegal activities like selling drugs, extortion (forcing people to give them money), and murder. What made Bulger even more notorious was that he was secretly working with the FBI as an informant while also committing crimes.

In 1994, Bulger found out he was going to be arrested and ran away. He was on the FBI’s Most Wanted list for 16 years. Finally, in 2011, he was caught in California. Bulger was tried and found guilty of many crimes, including being involved in 11 murders. He was sent to prison for two life sentences plus five years.

Bulger’s life has been the subject of many books, TV shows, and movies. His story shows how complicated and corrupt the relationship between criminals and law enforcement can sometimes be.

4. Mario Draghi (born 1947)

Mario Draghi was born on September 3, 1947, in Rome, Italy. He has become one of the most important figures in European economics and politics. Draghi studied economics in Rome and then got his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States.

Draghi has had a long career in banking and government. He worked for the World Bank and was the head of the Italian Treasury. In 2006, he became the Governor of the Bank of Italy, which is Italy’s national bank.

His most famous role was as the President of the European Central Bank from 2011 to 2019. During this time, he helped guide Europe through some difficult economic problems. He’s known for saying he would do “whatever it takes” to save the euro, which helped calm financial markets during a crisis.

In 2021, Draghi became the Prime Minister of Italy. As Prime Minister, he worked on helping Italy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and making changes to improve the country’s economy.

5. Steve Jones (born 1955)

Steve Jones was born on September 3, 1955, in London, England. He became famous as the guitarist of the Sex Pistols, one of the most important punk rock bands in history.

Jones grew up in a tough part of London and learned to play guitar as a teenager. In 1975, he helped start the Sex Pistols. The band’s loud, angry music and rebellious attitude shocked many people but excited others. They helped create the punk rock movement, which changed music and youth culture.

The Sex Pistols only made one studio album, “Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols,” but it’s considered one of the most influential albums ever. Jones’s guitar playing was a big part of the band’s sound.

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After the Sex Pistols broke up, Jones kept making music. He played in other bands and worked as a solo artist. He also became a radio DJ in Los Angeles. Jones has written about his life in music and his personal struggles in his book, “Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol.

Steve Jones’s work with the Sex Pistols helped change rock music. His guitar playing and the band’s attitude inspired many other musicians and showed that you didn’t need to be a trained musician to make powerful, exciting music.

Takeaways

September 3 has seen many important events throughout history. From changes in how we keep track of time to the birth of influential people, this day has left its mark on our world.

We’ve learned about a Spanish governor who helped shape the early days of European colonization in the Americas. We’ve seen how a change in the calendar caused confusion and even riots. We’ve discovered how new and unusual music premiered on this day, changing the world of classical music forever.

We’ve also explored the lives of some fascinating people born on September 3. From step-sons of emperors to architects who changed our cities, from notorious criminals to powerful bankers, and rebellious rock stars, these individuals have all played important roles in shaping our world.

This journey through the events and people of September 3 shows us how diverse and surprising history can be. It reminds us that every day has its own stories and that people from all walks of life can make a lasting impact.

By learning about these historical events and famous birthdays, we can better understand how our world has been shaped. It encourages us to look more closely at other dates and discover the hidden stories and influential people connected to each day of the year.

Whether it’s a change in how we measure time, a turning point in a war, a breakthrough in music or architecture, or the birth of someone who will change the world, every day holds the potential for something remarkable. September 3 is just one example of how a single date can be filled with such varied and important events and people.

References:

1. “The Spanish Conquest of the Americas” by John Hemming
2. “Gregorian Calendar” – Encyclopedia Britannica
3. “Arnold Schoenberg: A Critical Biography” by Willi Reich
4. “The Spanish Civil War: A Very Short Introduction” by Helen Graham
5. “The Sport of Kings: A History of Horse Racing” by Roger Longrigg
6. “Napoleon’s Stepson: The Life of General Eugene de Beauharnais” by John H. Gill
7. “Louis Sullivan: Prophet of Modern Architecture” by Hugh Morrison
8. “Whitey Bulger: America’s Most Wanted Gangster and the Manhunt That Brought Him to Justice” by Kevin Cullen and Shelley Murphy
9. “The Euro Crisis and Its Aftermath” by Jean Pisani-Ferry
10. “England’s Dreaming: Anarchy, Sex Pistols, Punk Rock, and Beyond” by Jon Savage