Osun Defender History Corner: March 3 In Focus

Today, on the history corner, we take a trip in the realm of flashback and recall some events that marked this day.

March 3, 1873

U.S. Congress enacts the Comstock Law, which restricts the distribution of obscene materials through the mail.

March 3, 1918

Germany and Russia sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, officially ending Russia’s participation in World War I.

March 3, 1923

Time magazine is published for the first time, with Joseph G. Cannon, a former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, on its cover.

March 3, 1931

“The Star-Spangled Banner” is adopted as the national anthem of the United States by an act of Congress.

March 3, 1938

Oil is discovered in Saudi Arabia, leading to the establishment of the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO).

March 3, 1945

The Battle of Manila ends, resulting in the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation during World War II.

March 3, 1959

The first Barbie doll, created by Ruth Handler, makes its debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York City.

March 3, 1969

Apollo 9, the third crewed mission in NASA’s Apollo program, is launched to test the lunar module in Earth orbit.

March 3, 1974

The Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crashes near Paris, France, killing all 346 people on board in one of the deadliest aviation accidents in history.

March 3, 1991

Motorist Rodney King is severely beaten by Los Angeles Police Department officers, leading to widespread riots in Los Angeles in 1992 after the officers involved are acquitted.

March 3, 2005

Steve Fossett becomes the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in an airplane without refueling.

March 3, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI officially resigns as the pope of the Catholic Church, becoming the first pope to do so in nearly 600 years.

March 3, 2014

The Russian military intervention in Ukraine begins as Russian forces seize control of Crimea following the ousting of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

March 3, 2018

SpaceX successfully launches the Falcon Heavy, the most powerful operational rocket in the world, on its maiden flight.

March 3, 2019

Tornadoes strike several states in the southeastern United States, causing widespread damage and claiming multiple lives.

March 3, 2020

The United States confirms its first death from COVID-19, marking a significant milestone in the global pandemic.

March 3, 2021

The United States and the European Union impose sanctions on Russian officials in response to the poisoning and imprisonment of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

March 3, 2022

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is sentenced to 9 years in prison on charges of embezzlement, sparking international condemnation and protests in Russia.

Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on March 3. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.