February 03
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Aaron the Illustrious(Syriac Orthodox Church), Ansgar, Berlinda of Meerbeke, Blaise, Celsa and Nona, Claudine Thévenet, Dom Justo Takayama(PhilippinesandJapan), Hadelin, Margaret of England, Werburgh, February 3 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
February 3 in the Christian calendar brings together feast days for multiple saints including Aaron the Illustrious, Saint Ansgar, and Saint Blaise.
Day of the Virgin of Suyapa(Honduras)
A national holiday in Honduras celebrating the Feast of the Virgin of Suyapa, the country’s patron saint, on February 3.
Earliest day on whichShrove Tuesdaycan fall, while March 9 is the latest; celebrated on Tuesday beforeAsh Wednesday(Christianity)
Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, can fall as early as February 3 in the Christian calendar.
Four Chaplains Day(United States, also considered a Feast Day by theEpiscopal Church)
Commemorates the four Army chaplains who heroically sacrificed their lives during the sinking of the USAT Dorchester in World War II.
Communist Party of Vietnam Foundation Anniversary(Vietnam)
Anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam on February 3, 1930.
Day of Finnish architecture and design, birthday ofAlvar Aalto(Finland)
Finland celebrates the birthday of legendary architect Alvar Aalto by honoring Finnish architecture and design on February 3.
Heroes' Day (Mozambique)
Heroes' Day in Mozambique honors those who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for independence.
Martyrs' Day (São Tomé and Príncipe)
Martyrs' Day in São Tomé and Príncipe commemorates citizens killed resisting Portuguese colonial rule on February 3, 1953.
Setsubun(Japan)
Setsubun, the traditional Japanese Bean-Throwing Festival, takes place on February 3 to welcome spring and ward off evil spirits.
Events
Drogo of Hauteville is elected as count of the Apulian Normans during the Norman conquest of Southern Italy.
In 1047, Drogo of Hauteville was chosen as count of the Apulian Normans, marking a key moment in the Norman conquest of Southern Italy.
Ramon Berenguer III, Count of Barcelona, and Douce I, Countess of Provence, marry, uniting the fortunes of those two states.
In 1112, Ramon Berenguer III of Barcelona wed Douce I of Provence, uniting two powerful Mediterranean realms through marriage.
Sultan Mehmed II inherits the throne of the Ottoman Empire.
On this day in 1451, Mehmed II succeeded his father Murad II to become Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
Bartolomeu Dias of Portugal lands in Mossel Bay after rounding the Cape of Good Hope, becoming the first known European to travel so far south.
In 1488, Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias rounded the Cape of Good Hope and reached Mossel Bay, becoming the first European to sail so far south.
The Portuguese navy defeats a joint fleet of the Ottoman Empire, the Republic of Venice, the Sultan of Gujarat, the Mamlûk Burji Sultanate of Egypt, the Zamorin of Calicut, and the Republic of Ragusa at the Battle of Diu in Diu, India.
The Portuguese navy defeated a formidable allied fleet at the Battle of Diu in 1509, securing their dominance in the Indian Ocean.
Battle of São Vicente takes place off Portuguese Brazil where three English warships led by navigator Edward Fenton fight off three Spanish galleons sinking one in the process.
In 1583, English navigator Edward Fenton’s small squadron repelled Spanish galleons off the coast of Portuguese Brazil in the Battle of São Vicente.
Tulip Mania collapses within the Dutch Republic.
On this day in 1637, the Dutch tulip market crashed, marking the dramatic end of Tulip Mania.
The House of Assembly of Barbados meets for the first time.
In 1639, Barbados held its first session of the House of Assembly, the first legislative body in English America.
The colony of Massachusetts issues the first paper money in the Americas.
In 1690, the Massachusetts Bay Colony issued the first paper currency in the Americas to finance military expeditions.
Births
Queen consort of France by marriage to King Charles V during the mid-14th century.
Henry Percy
2nd Earl of Northumberland, renowned English nobleman and military commander during the Hundred Years' War.
Helena Palaiologina
Queen consort of Cyprus, member of the Byzantine Palaiologos dynasty in the mid-15th century.
Edward Stafford
English nobleman and courtier who held the title of 3rd Duke of Buckingham during the Tudor era.
Scipione Rebiba
Italian cardinal who played a significant role in the Catholic Church during the 16th century.
Jan Santini Aichel
Bohemian architect known for his distinctive Baroque Gothic style, designer of the Karlova Koruna Chateau.
Blas de Lezo
Spanish admiral famed for his heroic defense of Cartagena de Indias during the War of Jenkins' Ear.
Friedrich Wilhelm von Seydlitz
Prussian cavalry general celebrated for transforming European horse tactics in the 18th century.
Johann Georg Albrechtsberger
Austrian composer and music theorist, teacher to Beethoven and influential in classical music theory.
Deaths
Ping
The ninth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty who ascended the throne as a toddler and ruled under regents.
Sihyaj Chan K'awiil II
Mayan ruler of Tikal during the Early Classic period, noted for his monument carvings.
K'inich Yo'nal Ahk I
Mayan king of Piedras Negras known for his military campaigns and monumental architecture.
Werburgh
Anglo-Saxon princess who became a revered abbess and saint.
Ansgar
Frankish missionary archbishop known as the 'Apostle of the North' for his evangelization of Scandinavia.
Guy
Margrave of Tuscany who played a key role in Italian politics of the early 10th century.
Zhou Ben
Chinese general of the late Tang dynasty known for his loyalty and military skill.
William IV
Duke of Aquitaine celebrated for his patronage of monastic reforms and cultural endeavors.
Sweyn Forkbeard
Viking king who ruled Denmark, Norway, and briefly England, expanding Norse influence.