October 3: What Happened on This Day in History
October 3rd marks the 276th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 277th in case of leap years). There are 89 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on October 3rd in history, famous birthdays on October 3rd, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to October 3.
What happened on October 3?
Here's what happened on October 3rd in history:
- 2022: Svante Pääbo, a renowned Swedish geneticist, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his groundbreaking work in paleogenetics. His research focused on sequencing the genome of extinct human species, including Neanderthals, and making significant contributions to understanding human evolution and migration patterns.
- 2019: House Democrats escalated their investigation into President Trump's interactions with Ukraine, warning the White House they would issue a subpoena for documents related to Trump's request for Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading 2020 Democratic presidential candidate.
- 2007: Witnesses report observing a flaming object traversing the sky over Minnesota, accompanied by a loud boom and falling debris. The nature and origin of the object remain unconfirmed.
- 2005: Ronnie Barker, a beloved British comic actor who significantly influenced British comedy, passed away. Born in 1929, he was known for his iconic roles in comedy shows and his remarkable contribution to entertainment.
- 2003: Legendary Las Vegas performer Roy Horn was critically mauled by one of the show's tigers during a performance, effectively ending the iconic Siegfried & Roy magic show. The incident led to a six-year hiatus before a limited reunion in 2009.
- 1996: The Thunderdome stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida was officially renamed Tropicana Field, marking a significant branding change for the venue. This stadium, home to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (now Tampa Bay Rays) baseball team, would become a key landmark in the city's sports infrastructure.
- 1980: A tragic terrorist attack occurred at a synagogue in Paris, resulting in 4 fatalities. This event highlights the ongoing tensions and antisemitic violence in Europe during this period.
- 1979: Shannyn Sossamon, an American actress and musician known for her roles in various television and film productions, including appearances in Law & Order: SVU, was born on this date.
- 1974: Pelé, widely considered the greatest soccer player of all time, officially retires from professional soccer, concluding an extraordinary career that transformed the sport globally.
- 1973: Willi Stoph succeeded Walter Ulbricht as the leader of the Socialist Unity Party (SED) in East Germany, marking a significant political transition during the Cold War era.
What famous birthdays are on October 3?
On October 3rd there are the following famous birthdays:
![Groucho Marx]()
Groucho Marx (1895)Groucho marx was a legendary comedian known for his quick wit, distinctive mustache, and cigar.
![Lena Headey]()
Lena Headey (1973)Lena Headey is a critically acclaimed British actress best known for her iconic portrayal of Cersei Lannister in HBO's Game of Thrones,...
![Thomas Wolfe]()
Thomas Wolfe (1900)Thomas Wolfe was a prominent American novelist and playwright known for his autobiographical novels like 'Look Homeward, Angel' and 'You...
![Bud Abbott]()
Bud Abbott (1897)Bud abbott was an american comedian and actor, best known as the straight man of the comedy duo abbott and costello.
![Chubby Checker]()
Chubby Checker (1941)Chubby Checker is an iconic American rock and pop singer who popularized the dance craze 'The Twist' in the early 1960s, becoming a...
![Clémence Poésy]()
Clémence Poésy (1982)French actress known for her role as Fleur Delacour in the Harry Potter film series, she has also appeared in numerous French and...
![Gore Vidal]()
Gore Vidal (1925)Renowned American writer, novelist, essayist, and playwright known for his sharp social commentary and prolific literary career spanning...
![Shannyn Sossamon]()
Shannyn Sossamon (1978)Versatile American artist known for her roles in films like 'A Knight's Tale' and 'Wayward Pines', with talents spanning acting, dancing,...
![Neve Campbell]()
Neve Campbell (1973)Neve Campbell is a Canadian actress who rose to fame in the 1990s, particularly known for her starring role in the groundbreaking horror...
![Ruggero Raimondi]()
Ruggero Raimondi (1941)Ruggero Raimondi is a renowned Italian opera singer with an internationally acclaimed bass voice, known for his exceptional performances in...
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 October 3?
On October 3rd the following celebrities died:
![Janet Leigh]()
Janet Leigh (2004)Iconic Hollywood actress best known for her legendary shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho', which revolutionized film horror.
![Roddy McDowall]()
Roddy McDowall (1998)Renowned British-American actor who successfully transitioned from child star to accomplished adult performer, known for versatile roles in...
![Zachary Scott]()
Zachary Scott (1965)American film and television actor known for roles in classic Hollywood movies during the 1940s and 1950s, including notable performances in...
![Bruce Paltrow]()
Bruce Paltrow (2002)Renowned American film and television producer known for his significant contributions to entertainment, including producing the TV series...
![Ronnie Barker]()
Ronnie Barker (2005)Beloved British comedy actor famous for his roles in classic sitcoms like 'The Two Ronnies', 'Porridge', and 'Open All Hours', which became...
- Dub Taylor (1994)
Dub Taylor was a prolific character actor who appeared in over 250 films, particularly famous for his comedic roles in Western movies and...
- Leon Lederman (2018)
Renowned Nobel Prize-winning physicist who made significant contributions to particle physics, particularly in discovering the muon...
- Tony Parker (1996)
Renowned French-American professional basketball player who won four NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs and was a key player in...
- Woody Guthrie (1967)
Iconic American folk musician and songwriter who profoundly influenced American music, known for his politically charged songs like 'This...
What day of the year is October 3?
October 3rd marks the 276th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 277th in case of leap years).
There are 89 days remaining until the end of the year.
October 3rd is the 3rd day of the month of October.
What day of the week is October 3?
On October 3rd, 2025 the day of the week is Friday.
| October | 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 October 3?
The zodiac sign associated with October 3rd is Libra according to the Western Zodiac.
