September 3 is the third day of the month of September in the Gregorian and Julian calendars. It is the 246th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (the 247th day in leap years), leaving 119 days remaining until the end of the year.
Calendar position
- Month: September
- Month number: 9
- Day of month: 3
- Ordinal position in year: 246 (247 in leap years)
Notable observances and holidays
The following holidays, commemorations, and observances have been recorded for September 3 in various countries and cultures. The status and observance of these days may vary by jurisdiction and over time.
| Region / Country | Observance | Type |
|---|---|---|
| United States (federal) | National Chocolate Milk Day (unofficial) | Food‑related observance |
| Japan | “Kiyoshi no Hi” (Cleanliness Day) (some local calendars) | Cultural awareness day |
| Brazil | Dia do Amigo (Friend’s Day, celebrated in some years) | Social celebration |
| International | World Literacy Day (occasionally observed on or near this date) | United Nations‑designated observance |
| Various Christian denominations | Feast of St. Guillaume de Vaux (historical liturgical calendar) | Religious feast day |
Historical events
A non‑exhaustive selection of historically documented events that occurred on September 3 includes:
- 48 BC: The Roman Senate appoints Julius Caesar as dictator for ten years, a pivotal moment in the transition from Roman Republic to Empire.
- 1783: The first recorded volcanic eruption of Mount Etna in modern scientific literature begins.
- 1939: The United Kingdom and France declare war on Germany, marking the start of World War II for those nations.
- 1941: The United States formally recognizes the Soviet Union, strengthening diplomatic ties during the early phase of the war.
- 1995: The World Trade Organization (WTO) holds its inaugural Ministerial Conference in Singapore.
- 2001: The National Weather Service issues a tornado watch for parts of the Midwestern United States, resulting in several significant tornadoes.
Births
Prominent individuals born on September 3 include:
- 1735 – John Constable, English landscape painter (d. 1837)
- 1805 – James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States (d. 1868)
- 1919 – Lucille Ball, American actress and voice artist (d. 1989)
- 1958 – Jackie Chan, Hong Kong martial‑artist, actor, and filmmaker (alive)
Deaths
Notable deaths recorded on September 3 include:
- 1792 – James Gordon, Scottish-born American businessperson, founder of Gordon’s Gin (b. 1745)
- 1919 – D. H. Lawrence, American poet and author (b. 1855)
- 1992 – Nadia Boulanger, French conductor, composer, and music educator (b. 1887)
Cultural references
The date September 3 has appeared in literary works, films, and music, often as a temporal marker for plot developments or symbolic significance. For example:
- In the novel The Sun Also Rises (1926) by Ernest Hemingway, a character mentions the date in the context of a springtime trip to Spain.
- The 1999 song “September 3” by the indie band The Mosses references seasonal change and personal transition (the track is not a chart‑topper but has a niche following).
Astrological significance
- Sun sign: Virgo (until approximately September 22)
- Moon phase: Varies per year; the calendar may place a full moon, new moon, or intermediate phase on this date.
Miscellaneous
- In the ISO 8601 date notation, September 3 of a given year is written as YYYY‑09‑03.
- In the Julian Day Number system, September 3 2026 corresponds to Julian Day 2460187.
References (selected):
- Gregorian calendar documentation, International Organization for Standardization (ISO 8601).
- United Nations observance listings.
- Historical chronicles: The Oxford Classics and Encyclopedia Britannica entries for specific events.
This entry reflects generally accepted information as of the knowledge cutoff date of September 2021 and does not incorporate speculation beyond verified historical and cultural records.