23 significant historical events occurred on May 3. May 3 has seen a variety of important historical events. One of the most consequential was the partition of Ireland in 1921, dividing the island into Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland and changing the political geography of the British Isles. On this date, Margaret Thatcher came to power in the 1979 UK general election, Madeleine McCann disappeared in Portugal in 2007, and a Mexico City Metro overpass collapsed in 2021.
19 famous birthdays on May 3
Including Alfred Kastler, Jeffrey C. Hall, Steven Weinberg
Event Distribution by Century
Darker = Higher Density13th Century
1 event15th Century
1 eventOn April 24, 1491, a significant earthquake struck Cyprus, causing extensive damage across the island, particularly in Nicosia, where approximately 4,000 buildings were destroyed.
16th Century
1 event17th Century
2 events18th Century
1 event19th Century
1 event20th Century
10 eventsPartition of Ireland — the division of the island of Ireland into two distinct jurisdictions, Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland, on 3 May 1921; the latter became independent in 1922 and is now the Republic of Ireland, while the former still remains in the UK
1979 United Kingdom general election — election for members of the British House of Commons
21st Century
6 eventsDisappearance of Madeleine McCann — unexplained disappearance of a child in 2007 in Portugal
Explore More for May 3
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