What is May 3?
{{calendar}} {{day}} == Events == === Up to 1900 === * [[1481]] &ndash; The largest of three [[earthquake]]s strikes the Greek island of [[Rhodes]], killing an estimated 30,000 people. * [[1491]] &ndash; [[Kongo]] [[monarch]] [[Nkuwu Nzinga]] is baptized by Portuguese missionaries. * [[1494]] &ndash; [[Christopher Columbus]] arrives in [[Jamaica]], naming the island Santiago. * [[1715]] &ndash; A total [[solar eclipse]] is visible across Northern [[Europe]] and Northern [[Asia]], with totality across southern [[England]] being predicted by [[Edmond Halley]] to within four minutes of accuracy. * [[1791]] &ndash; [[Poland]]'s first [[constitution]] is introduced. May 3 is still celebrated as [[Constitution Day]] in [[Poland]], as well as in neighboring [[Lithuania]]. * [[1802]] &ndash; [[Washington, DC]] is incorporated as a [[city]]. * [[1808]] &ndash; Rebels in [[Madrid]], who rose up on the previous day, against French rule, are executed. * [[1808]] &ndash; [[Finnish War]]: [[Sweden]] loses the fortress of [[Sveaborg]] to [[Russia]]. * [[1815]] &ndash; [[Neapolitan War]]: [[Joachim Murat]], [[King]] of [[Naples]], is defeated by the [[Austria]]ns at the [[Battle of Tolentino]], the decisive engagement of the [[war]]. * [[1830]] &ndash; The [[Canterbury]]–[[Whitstable]] [[Railway]] in Southern [[England]] is opened. It is the first steam–hauled [[passenger]] railway to issue season tickets and include a [[tunnel]]. * [[1837]] &ndash; The [[University of Athens]], [[Greece]], is founded. * [[1849]] &ndash; The May uprising begins in [[Dresden]]. * [[1855]] &ndash; The [[adventure]]r [[William Walker]] departs from [[San Francisco]] with around 60 men in an attempt to conquer [[Nicaragua]]. * [[1860]] &ndash; King [[Charles XV of Sweden-Norway]] is crowned. * [[1867]] &ndash; [[Hudson's Bay Company]] gives up all claims to [[Vancouver Island]]. * [[1887]] &ndash; [[Canada]]'s worst mining disaster occurs in [[Nanaimo]], on [[Vancouver Island]]. 150 people are killed, and 7 survive. === 1901 &ndash; 2000 === * [[19