June 3: What Happened on This Day in History

• 2020: Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a state of emergency after a catastrophic environmental disaster where 20,000 tons of diesel fuel leaked into the Ambarnaya River near Norilsk within the Arctic Circle. The spill occurred when a fuel tank at a Nornickel NTEK power plant collapsed on May 26, 2020, causing significant ecological damage to the fragile Arctic ecosystem.
• 2014: Heavy combat erupts between Ukrainian military forces and pro-Russian militants in and around the eastern city of Sloviansk, escalating tensions in the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.
• 2011: President Ali Abdullah Saleh was lightly injured in a rocket attack on Sana'a's presidential palace during the Battle of Sana'a. Seven top government officials were hurt, including Prime Minister Ali Muhammad Mujawar. Four presidential guards and Sheikh Ali Mohsen al-Matari were killed in the incident.
• 2010: A catastrophic fire erupted in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka after an electrical transformer explosion, rapidly spreading to at least six apartment buildings and approximately 15 stores. The incident resulted in the tragic loss of over 116 lives, highlighting significant urban infrastructure and safety vulnerabilities.
• 2004: All outgoing flights from the United Kingdom were temporarily grounded due to a critical air traffic control computer system malfunction, causing significant disruption to air travel.
• 1998: Poul Bundgaard, a prominent Danish actor and singer who was born in 1922, passed away on June 3, 1998. Known for his contributions to Danish entertainment, Bundgaard was a notable figure in the performing arts during the mid-20th century.
• 1996: Han Tianyu was born on June 3, 1996, in China. He would later become a prominent short track speed skater, representing his country in international competitions and contributing to China's winter sports legacy.
• 1995: On June 3, 1995, Montreal Expos pitcher Pedro Martínez delivered a remarkable pitching performance, coming within one out of a perfect game. He retired 26 consecutive batters before allowing a hit in the 10th inning, showcasing his exceptional skill and control on the mound. This game is considered one of the most impressive near-perfect games in Major League Baseball history.
• 1993: Geoff Hooper emerged victorious in the 66th National Spelling Bee, demonstrating exceptional spelling skills and mastery of complex words like 'kamikaze'. The competition showcased the academic prowess of young students and their ability to spell challenging terminology.
• 1988: The comedy film 'Big', directed by Penny Marshall and starring Tom Hanks, premiered in theaters across the United States. The movie tells the story of a young boy who magically transforms into an adult and explores themes of childhood, adulthood, and personal growth.

How to check someone's birthday?

If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide

June 3rd marks the 154th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 155th in case of leap years).

There are 211 days remaining until the end of the year.

June 3rd is the 3rd day of the month of June.

What day of the week is June 3?

On June 3rd, 2025 the day of the week is Tuesday.

Holidays and Observances on June 3

The zodiac sign associated with June 3rd is Gemini according to the Western Zodiac.

More about June 3 zodiac

What is special about the Gemini sign?

• Gemini personality traits and attitude
• Gemini most and least compatible signs
• Why June born are so special