Today is Tuesday, March 3, the 62nd day of 2026. There are 303 days left in the year.
Today in history:
On March 3, 2005, billionaire adventurer Steve Fossett achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first person to pilot a plane around the world solo without stopping or refueling. He successfully landed in Salina, Kansas, after a grueling 67-hour journey.
Also on this date:
In 1845, Florida officially joined the United States as the 27th state.
In 1849, the U.S. Department of the Interior was established by Congress.
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the legislation that led to the creation of the National Academy of Sciences.
In 1931, “The Star-Spangled Banner” was officially designated as the national anthem of the United States when President Herbert Hoover signed a bill into law.
In 1943, a tragic incident occurred at the Bethnal Green Tube station in London’s East End, where 173 people lost their lives in a stampede during an air raid shelter drill.
In 1945, Allied forces successfully liberated the Philippine capital of Manila from Japanese occupation after a fierce month-long battle.
In 1969, Apollo 9 launched from Cape Kennedy on a mission to test NASA’s lunar module in preparation for the upcoming moon landing.
In 1991, motorist Rodney King was brutally beaten by Los Angeles police officers following a high-speed chase, sparking widespread public outrage and eventually leading to the infamous L.A. riots in 1992.
In 2022, Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, reached a landmark nationwide settlement over its involvement in the opioid crisis, with the Sackler family agreeing to contribute up to $6 billion to address the legal challenges.
Today’s birthdays:
- Filmmaker George Miller celebrates his 81st birthday.
- Singer Jennifer Warnes turns 79 today.
- Author Ron Chernow is 77 years old.
- Football Hall of Famer Randy Gradishar is 74.
- Musician Robyn Hitchcock celebrates his 73rd birthday.
- Actor Miranda Richardson turns 68 today.
- Radio personality Ira Glass is 67 years old.
- Olympic track and field legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee celebrates her 64th birthday.
- Rapper-actor Tone Loc turns 60 today.
- Hockey Hall of Famer Brian Leetch is 58 years old.
- Actor Julie Bowen celebrates her 56th birthday.
- Actor David Faustino is 52 years old.
- Actor Jessica Biel turns 44 today.
- Singer Camila Cabello celebrates her 29th birthday.
- NBA forward Jayson Tatum turns 28 today.
