This Day In History : March 3

1959 United States

Pioneer 4 Becomes First U.S. Probe to Enter Solar Orbit

On March 3, 1959, NASA launched Pioneer 4, marking the first U.S. probe to enter solar orbit. This significant mission aimed to study the Earth's radiation belts and provided valuable data on the space environment beyond our planet.

Also on This Day in History March 3

Discover what happened on March 3 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, March 3
  • 1847 Alexander Graham Bell

    Scottish-British-American inventor of telephone

  • 1845 Georg Cantor

    German mathematician who discovered transfinite numbers

  • 1838 George William Hill

    American astronomer who calculated Moon's orbit and he was considered to be the greatest master of celestial mechanics of his time

  • 1839 Jamsetji Tata

    Indian industrialist who founded the Tata Group

  • 1831 George Pullman

    American industrialist and inventor of railway sleeping car

Deaths on This Day, March 3
  • 1703 Robert Hooke

    English physicist who discovered the law of elasticity

  • 1993 Albert Bruce Sabin

    Polish American physician who invented the oral polio vaccine

  • 1991 William Penney

    British physicist who developed Britain's 1st atomic bomb

  • 1985 Iosif Samuilovich Shklovskii

    Soviet astronomer and astrophysicist

  • 1855 Robert Mills

    American architect and engineer who designed the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C

1969

Apollo 9 Launches for 10-Day Mission and 151 Earth Orbits

On March 3, 1969, NASA launched Apollo 9 on a crucial mission that lasted 10 days and involved 151 Earth orbits. This mission tested key components of the Apollo spacecraft, including the Lunar Module, essential for future lunar landings.
2005

Steve Fossett Completes Solo Non-Stop Around-the-World Flight

On March 3, 2005, Steve Fossett made aviation history by becoming the first person to fly an airplane non-stop around the world solo without refueling. His successful flight showcased extraordinary endurance and aviation expertise.
1871

U.S. Congress Establishes Civil Service System

On March 3, 1871, Congress established the civil service system, aimed at reforming the federal hiring process to reduce political patronage. This move was pivotal in ensuring a more merit-based and efficient government workforce.
1863

Abraham Lincoln Approves Charter for National Academy of Sciences

On March 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln approved the charter for the National Academy of Sciences. This action established an institution dedicated to advancing scientific research and providing expert advice on scientific matters.
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