AUGUST 3 | Birthdays and Events
Famous Birthdays
People born on August 3
Elisha Otis
Died: April 11, 1861
Founder of the Otis Elevator Company and inventor of a safety device that prevents elevators from falling if the hoisting cable fails.
Ernie Pyle
Died: April 18, 1945
American soldier, journalist and war correspondent who wrote stories about ordinary soldier during WWII.
Sidney Gottlieb
Died: March 7, 1999
Chemist and spymaster who headed the CIA and a mind-control program (MKUltra).
Anthony Dominick Benedetto
Died: July 21, 2023
Multi-award winning singer and actor also known as Tony Bennett.
Martin Sheen
Actor with award-winning roles on the big screen (Apocalypse Now and Catch Me If You Can) and television (Kennedy and The West Wing).
Martha Stewart
Business mogul and founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.
James Hetfield
Lead singer and co-founder of the heavy metal band Metallica.
Historical Events on August 3
Events that occurred on August 3 throughout history
The first known letter from North America is sent to St. John's, Newfoundland.
The first known letter from North America is sent by John Rut while at St. John's, Newfoundland. The letter was sent to King Henry VIII of England to report on the expedition's findings, note the health of the crew, and outline plans to sail south to search for their lost companion ship, the Samson.
Harvard University wins the first Boat Race between Yale University and Harvard.
Harvard University wins the first Boat Race between Yale University and Harvard in the first ever American intercollegiate athletic event.
Castle Garden in New York City opens as first immigration center.
Castle Garden in New York City opens as first receiving station for immigrants in the U.S. The facility processed over 8 million immigrants arriving in the U.S. before closing in 1890.
The American Dental Association is founded.
The American Dental Association is founded in Niagara Falls, New York. Twenty-six dentists were present, representing various local and state dental societies.
The American Canoe Association is founded.
The American Canoe Association is founded in at Lake George, New York. The club was created to share cruising tips, host annual meets, and promote canoe sailing, racing, and exploration.
The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company is founded.
The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company is founded. The company initially made solid rubber side-wire tires for fire engines, wagons, and buggies.
MLB Commissioner bans eight Chicago Black Sox players.
Major League Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis confirms the ban of the eight Chicago Black Sox for intentionally lose the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds.
Jesse Owens wins the 100 metre dash at the Berlin Olympics.
Jesse Owens wins the 100 meter dash, defeating Ralph Metcalfe, at the Berlin Olympics. The win defeated the ideology of Aryan supremacy promoted by the Nazi nation.
The world's first themed amusement park, opens in Santa Claus, Indiana.
Santa Claus Land, the world's first themed amusement park, opens in Santa Claus, Indiana. The park featured Christmas themes.
The Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League finalize a merger.
The Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League finalize the merger that would create the National Basketball Association.
The U.S. sends 45,000 soldiers to Vietnam.
The U.S. sends 45,000 soldiers to Vietnam, increasing the number of U.S. military personnel in South Vietnam to 525,000 men.