December 3: What Happened on This Day in History
December 3rd marks the 337th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 338th in case of leap years). There are 28 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on December 3rd in history, famous birthdays on December 3rd, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to December 3.
What happened on December 3?
Here's what happened on December 3rd in history:
- 2008: At the Bonhams' Olympia sale, a rare 1925 Bentley 3.0-litre SuperSports "Brooklands" Two-seater was sold for US$401,406, highlighting the significant value of vintage luxury automobiles from the early 20th century.
- 2006: Ed Stelmach was elected as the new Leader of the Progressive Conservatives in Canada after a second ballot, becoming the Premier-designate of Alberta.
- 2000: Professional snooker player John Higgins secured victory at the prestigious UK Snooker Championship, demonstrating his exceptional skill and precision in the sport.
- 1994: On December 3, 1994, Sony revolutionized the video game industry by introducing the PlayStation video game system in Japan. This groundbreaking console featured advanced specifications for its time: a 33 MHz 32-bit MIPS R3000A processor, integrated special audio and graphics functions, a geometry coprocessor, 2 MB RAM, and 1 MB video RAM. The system offered impressive graphics resolution of 640x480 in 24-bit color. Priced at 39,800 yen (approximately US$399), the PlayStation would go on to become a landmark product that transformed the global video game market.
- 1990: A tragic aviation accident occurred at Detroit Metropolitan Airport when Northwest Airlines Flight 1482 (a McDonnell Douglas DC-9) collided with Northwest Airlines Flight 299 (a Boeing 727) on the runway, resulting in the deaths of 8 passengers and 4 crewmembers, with 44 others injured.
- 1987: On December 3, 1984, a catastrophic gas leak occurred at the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India. Toxic methyl isocyanate gas spread over densely populated areas, causing one of the world's worst industrial disasters. The incident resulted in approximately 15,000 to 20,000 immediate and long-term deaths, and left around half a million survivors suffering from chronic medical conditions, including respiratory problems, cancer, and genetic disorders.
- 1985: The 23rd Space Shuttle Mission (61-B) involving the Space Shuttle Atlantis successfully landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California, marking another milestone in NASA's space exploration program.
- 1983: Sherri DuPree, an American guitarist and vocalist known for her work in indie rock music.
- 1977: David Sales, a Northampton cricket batsman, notable for scoring an impressive 210 runs on his first-class debut in 1996. This achievement highlighted his potential as a promising cricket player.
- 1975: Hugh Thurlow, an Australian cricket player who played one Test match for Australia in 1932, passed away on this date.
What famous birthdays are on December 3?
On December 3rd there are the following famous birthdays:
![Maria Callas]()
Maria Callas (1923)Legendary Greek-American opera singer renowned for her extraordinary vocal range, dramatic performances, and transformative impact on opera.
![Julianne Moore]()
Julianne Moore (1960)Acclaimed American actress known for her versatile performances and distinctive auburn hair.
![Brendan Fraser]()
Brendan Fraser (1968)Canadian-American actor known for comedy roles in 'Encino Man' and 'School Ties', famous for playing quirky 'fish-out-of-water' characters...
![Amanda Seyfried]()
Amanda Seyfried (1985)Amanda Seyfried is an acclaimed Hollywood actress known for her versatile roles in musical films, romantic comedies, and dramatic movies...
![Daryl Hannah]()
Daryl Hannah (1960)Prominent actress known for her iconic roles in science fiction and fantasy films like 'Blade Runner' and 'Splash'.
![Andrew Stanton]()
Andrew Stanton (1965)Renowned Pixar animation director, screenwriter, and voice actor known for critically acclaimed films like 'Finding Nemo' and 'WALL-E'.
![Holly Marie Combs]()
Holly Marie Combs (1973)American actress best known for her role as Piper Halliwell in the popular supernatural TV series 'Charmed', which aired from 1998 to 2006.
![Farha Naaz]()
Farha Naaz (1968)Indian film actress who appeared in numerous Hindi and Bhojpuri cinema productions during her career.
![Anna Chlumsky]()
Anna Chlumsky (1980)American actress known for her roles in 'My Girl' and the HBO series 'Veep', who successfully transitioned from child to adult acting.
![Tiffany Haddish]()
Tiffany Haddish (1979)Acclaimed comedian and actress known for her breakout role in 'Girls Trip' and her bestselling memoir 'The Last Black Unicorn'.
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on December 3?
On December 3rd the following celebrities died:
![Madeline Kahn]()
Madeline Kahn (1999)Iconic American comedic actress renowned for her unique comedic style in classic films like 'Blazing Saddles' and 'Young Frankenstein'.
![Glenn Quinn]()
Glenn Quinn (2002)Irish-American actor known for his role in the popular TV series 'Roseanne', who tragically died at a young age.
- Gwendolyn Brooks (2000)
Gwendolyn Brooks was a pioneering African American poet who broke significant racial barriers in literature by becoming the first Black poet...
- James Stewart (2014)
James stewart was an iconic american actor known for his roles in classic films such as it's a wonderful life and mr.
- Scott Weiland (2015)
Iconic rock musician known as the lead vocalist of Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, who significantly influenced alternative rock in...
- Lewis Thomas (1993)
Lewis Thomas was a renowned physician, writer, poet, and educator who significantly contributed to medical literature and understanding of...
- Dhyan Chand (1979)
Legendary Indian hockey player widely considered the greatest hockey player of all time, who revolutionized the sport with his extraordinary...
- Alison Lurie (2020)
Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and Cornell University professor, renowned for her insightful and witty literary works.
- Dev Anand (2011)
Legendary Indian film actor, director, and producer who was a prominent figure in Bollywood's Golden Age, known for his charismatic screen...
- Nathaniel Branden (2014)
Nathaniel Branden was a prominent psychologist who pioneered research on self-esteem and was a key intellectual associate of philosopher Ayn...
What day of the year is December 3?
December 3rd marks the 337th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 338th in case of leap years).
There are 28 days remaining until the end of the year.
December 3rd is the 3rd day of the month of December.
What day of the week is December 3?
On December 3rd, 2025 the day of the week is Wednesday.
| December | 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | 31 | ||||
What zodiac sign is associated with the day December 3?
The zodiac sign associated with December 3rd is Sagittarius according to the Western Zodiac.
