November 3 in History

Significant events that happened on this day.

Historical Events

2020

The United States officially withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement, becoming the only country to exit the global climate pact

After President Trump initiated the withdrawal process in 2019, the U.S. became the first and only nation to leave the landmark environmental accord....

2014

A skyscraper in London known as the 'Walkie-Talkie' was awarded the Carbuncle Cup for being Britain's ugliest building

The building at 20 Fenchurch Street had already made headlines for its concave design that focused sunlight into a 'death ray' that melted cars and fr...

1997

A Japanese fishing boat was sunk by a Russian tanker, leading to a bizarre diplomatic incident over the crew's vodka consumption

The Russian crew claimed they were celebrating a birthday and had drunk so much vodka they didn't notice hitting the Japanese vessel. The tanker's cap...

1992

Bill Clinton was elected the 42nd President of the United States, ending 12 years of Republican control

Major

The Arkansas governor defeated incumbent George H.W. Bush in a three-way race that included billionaire Ross Perot's unprecedented independent campaig...

1986

The Iran-Contra affair became public when a Lebanese magazine revealed the secret arms-for-hostages deal

Major

A small Beirut publication broke one of the biggest political scandals in U.S. history, exposing how the Reagan administration secretly sold weapons t...

1978

Dominica gained independence from the United Kingdom, becoming a sovereign nation

The Caribbean island nation became the last of the Windward Islands to achieve independence. Known as the 'Nature Island of the Caribbean,' Dominica c...

1970

Salvador Allende became the first Marxist to be democratically elected as president in Latin America

The Chilean physician and socialist won a plurality in a three-way race and was confirmed by Congress. His presidency would be marked by ambitious soc...

1964

Lyndon B. Johnson was elected President of the United States in a landslide victory over Barry Goldwater

Major

LBJ won one of the most lopsided presidential elections in U.S. history, carrying 44 states and over 61% of the popular vote. His campaign famously ai...

1957

The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2 with a dog named Laika aboard, making her the first animal to orbit Earth

Major

Laika, a stray dog from the streets of Moscow, became a space pioneer when she orbited Earth aboard Sputnik 2. Sadly, the mission was one-way and she...

1955

The musical 'Damn Yankees' opened on Broadway and became an instant hit

This devilish take on the Faust legend featured a Washington Senators fan who sells his soul to beat the Yankees. The show won seven Tony Awards and g...

1903

Panama declared independence from Colombia with behind-the-scenes support from the United States

Major

After Colombia rejected a treaty allowing the U.S. to build a canal, Panama conveniently revolted and became independent within hours, with American w...

1868

Republican Ulysses S. Grant was elected President of the United States, riding the wave of his Civil War hero status

The Union's victorious general won in a landslide despite having no political experience whatsoever. His campaign slogan 'Let us have peace' resonated...

1839

The first Opium War began when Chinese officials destroyed British opium stocks in Canton

Major

Chinese Commissioner Lin Zexu confiscated and destroyed over 1,000 tons of British opium, triggering a war that would reshape Asia. Britain's victory...

1793

French playwright Olympe de Gouges was guillotined for her political writings during the Reign of Terror

De Gouges was an early feminist who wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen, challenging the male-dominated French Revolut...