Today in History graphic for September 3 featuring the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War, Malcolm Campbell's Blue Bird land-speed car, and the launch of eBay.

September 3 in History: The Revolutionary War Ends, 300 MPH Is Broken & eBay Begins

Scott Winters September 3, 2026 1 Comment

Discover what happened on September 3 in history as wars came to an end, speed records were shattered, space exploration advanced, and new technologies helped shape the world we know today.

What Happened on September 3 in History?

On this day, the Treaty of Paris formally ended the Revolutionary War, Malcolm Campbell became the first person to drive faster than 300 mph, Viking 2 landed on Mars, and eBay began as an online auction site called AuctionWeb.

SEPTEMBER 3 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1783 – The United States and Great Britain signed the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Revolutionary War. Although the treaty placed Michigan within the United States, the British continued to occupy posts in Michigan for another 13 years.

1833 – Benjamin Day published the first issue of The New York Sun. Selling for one cent, it became the first successful penny newspaper in the United States.

1895 – John Brallier was paid $10 plus expenses to play quarterback for the Latrobe Athletic Association against the Jeannette Athletic Club in Pennsylvania. He was long considered the first professional football player, although evidence later showed players had been paid earlier.

1911 – A Wright biplane was demonstrated at the West Michigan Fair in Grand Rapids, MI, giving local residents a close-up look at the still-new technology of powered flight.

1935 – Sir Malcolm Campbell became the first person to drive an automobile faster than 300 mph, setting a land-speed record of 301.129 mph in his Blue Bird at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats.

1939 – Great Britain and France declared war on Germany following its invasion of Poland two days earlier, bringing the major European powers into World War II.

1951 – The daytime soap opera Search for Tomorrow premiered on CBS. The series would remain on television for 35 years.

1954 – The captured German submarine U-505 began its final journey to its permanent home at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry.

1954 – The Lone Ranger aired its final original radio episode after a 21-year run of nearly 3,000 broadcasts.

1967 – The original CBS run of the television game show What’s My Line? ended after more than 17 years.

1976 – NASA’s Viking 2 spacecraft successfully landed at Utopia Planitia on Mars and began transmitting photographs and scientific data from the planet’s surface.

1981 – Veteran television journalist David Brinkley left NBC after 38 years. He later joined ABC, where he hosted This Week with David Brinkley.

1995 – Pierre Omidyar launched the online auction site AuctionWeb, which would later become eBay. One of the site’s first sales was Omidyar’s broken laser pointer.

2009 – Michael Jackson was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, CA, more than two months after his death.

2010 – Former Electric Light Orchestra cellist Mike Edwards was killed in England when a massive round bale of hay rolled down a hillside, crashed through a hedge and struck his van.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON SEPTEMBER 3:

Dick Motta – 95 years old (1931) – Basketball player and coach

Pilar Pallete – 90 years old (1936) – Peruvian-American actress

Al Jardine – 84 years old (1942) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

George Biondo – 81 years old (1945) – Bass player and songwriter

Don Brewer – 78 years old (1948) – Drummer and singer-songwriter

Doug Pinnick – 76 years old (1950) – Rock singer-songwriter and bass player

D. Rolland Jennings – 75 years old (1951) – Politician

Garth Ancier – 69 years old (1957) – Businessman

Steve Schirripa – 69 years old (1957) – Actor and producer

Sam Adams – 63 years old (1963) – Politician, 51st Mayor of Portland

Adam Curry – 62 years old (1964) – American-Dutch businessman and television host, co-founded mevio

Spike Feresten – 62 years old (1964) – Screenwriter and producer

Holt McCallany – 62 years old (1964) – Actor

Vaden Todd Lewis – 61 years old (1965) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Charlie Sheen – 61 years old (1965) – Actor and producer

Steven Johnson Leyba – 60 years old (1966) – Painter and author

Chris Gatling – 59 years old (1967) – Basketball player

Luis Gonzalez – 59 years old (1967) – Baseball player

Noah Baumbach – 57 years old (1969) – Actor, director, producer, and screenwriter

John Fugelsang – 57 years old (1969) – Comedian, actor, and talk show host

John Picacio – 57 years old (1969) – Artist

George Lynch – 56 years old (1970) – Basketball player and coach

Kiran Desai – 55 years old (1971) – Indian-American author

Bob Evans – 54 years old (1972) – Wrestler and trainer

Jennifer Paige – 53 years old (1973) – Singer

Damon Stoudamire – 53 years old (1973) – Basketball player and coach

Clare Kramer – 52 years old (1974) – Actress, producer, and screenwriter

Redfoo – 51 years old (1975) – Singer-songwriter, producer, and dancer

Ashley Jones – 50 years old (1976) – Actress

Jevon Kearse – 50 years old (1976) – Football player

Raheem Morris – 50 years old (1976) – Football player and coach

Casey Hampton – 49 years old (1977) – Football player

Nate Robertson – 49 years old (1977) – Baseball player

Nichole Hiltz – 48 years old (1978) – Actress

Nick Wechsler – 48 years old (1978) – Actor

Tomo Miličević – 47 years old (1979) – Bosnian-American guitarist

B.G. – 46 years old (1980) – Rapper and actor

Andrew McMahon – 44 years old (1982) – Singer-songwriter, pianist, and producer

Chris Wilcox – 44 years old (1982) – Basketball player

Marcus McCauley – 43 years old (1983) – Football player

Mason Crosby – 42 years old (1984) – Football player

Garrett Hedlund – 42 years old (1984) – Actor

T. J. Perkins – 42 years old (1984) – Filipino-American wrestler

Shaun White – 40 years old (1986) – Snowboarder, skateboarder, and guitarist

August Alsina – 34 years old (1992) – Singer-songwriter

Myles Jack – 31 years old (1995) – Football player

Abrahm DeVine – 30 years old (1996) – Swimmer

Neilson Powless – 30 years old (1996) – Cyclist

Carter Kieboom – 29 years old (1997) – Baseball player

Devin Singletary – 29 years old (1997) – Football player

Kaia Gerber – 25 years old (2001) – Model and actress

Jack Dylan Grazer – 23 years old (2003) – Actor

Tanitoluwa Adewumi – 16 years old (2010) – Nigerian-American chess player

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR SEPTEMBER 3:

Merchant Navy Day: Merchant Navy Day is a vibrant tribute celebrated on September 3rd each year. It's a day filled with honor and recognition for the brave souls of the Merchant Navy. Their dedication keeps global trade flowing, making sure that the world gets what it needs, from the food we eat to...
National Welsh Rarebit Day: Made with cheese and ale sauce and eaten on top of toast, Welsh Rarebit is a niche but tasty food. Try making your own to appreciate this strange taste sensation.
National Skyscraper Day: Enjoy the architectural marvels that are skyscrapers by visiting such buildings or finding a spot from which to view a whole city skyline at once.
US Bowling League Day: US Bowling League Day shines a spotlight on the excitement of bowling. This day celebrates the spirit of competition and teamwork found in bowling leagues across the nation. It's a day when players from all walks of life come together, sharing their passion for this fun and inclusive sport. Whether...
Janmashtami: Janmashtami is one of the most joyous festivals celebrated across India and by Hindus worldwide. The day honors the birth of Lord Krishna, a beloved deity known for his wisdom, playfulness, and divine teachings. Krishna's life symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, teaching values like love, compassion, and righteousness...
Crayfish Party: Crayfish Party is a lively and festive occasion celebrated with friends and family. This event marks the end of summer, bringing people together for a joyful feast. Tables are often set with bright decorations, and the air is filled with laughter. The menu features cooked and seasoned crayfish. The atmosphere...
Rtveli: Rtveli is a vibrant grape harvest festival celebrated across Georgia. It is a joyful blend of hard work and celebration. It's a time when people unite to collect the fruits of their labor and honor the cultural heritage of winemaking that has been cherished for generations. The festival extends beyond...
National Childhood Injury Prevention Week: Kids run, jump, explore, and push limits every day. That curiosity brings joy, but also risk. National Childhood Injury Prevention Week speaks to that very balance. It’s a reminder that while we can’t stop every scraped knee, we can prevent many serious injuries. It’s about everyday choices—like buckling a car seat...
Fiesta de San Pacho: Fiesta de San Pacho is a vibrant celebration that fills the streets of Quibdó with music, dance, and color. The festival honors Saint Francis of Assisi, blending Catholic traditions with Afro-Colombian culture uniquely and joyfully. As the day unfolds, the city becomes a stage where people showcase their rich heritage...
Navasard: Navasard is the ancient Armenian New Year, a celebration that once united communities in festivities and tribute to their gods. Marking the start of a new cycle, it was a time when people believed divine forces came down to the Earth. With music, dance, and communal feasts, it reflected a...