May 3

in History

Maya Ruler Born — A future king of Palenque draws first breath

Palenque, MexicoClassical

490

Maya Ruler Born

A future king of Palenque draws first breath

In the Maya lowlands, K'an Joy Chitam I was born -- a prince destined to rule the magnificent city-state of Palenque. He would ascend to the throne in 529 AD at the age of thirty-four, ending an interregnum that had left the city without a ruler for four years. Under his stewardship, Palenque would continue to flourish as one of the greatest centers of Maya civilization, its temples and palaces rising above the jungle canopy in architectural splendor.

490 AD

Jacksonville's Great Fire — Florida's largest city burns to the ground

Jacksonville, Florida, United StatesEarly 20th Century

1901

Jacksonville's Great Fire

Florida's largest city burns to the ground

A small kitchen fire in a mattress factory in Jacksonville, Florida, leaped out of control and consumed the downtown core in one of the worst urban conflagrations in American history. The Great Fire of 1901 destroyed nearly one hundred fifty city blocks, left almost ten thousand people homeless, and caused millions in damages. Yet Jacksonville rose from the ashes with remarkable speed, rebuilding in brick and stone and emerging as one of the South's most modern cities.

1901 AD

World War II — World War II: Japanese naval troops invade Tulagi Island in the Solomon Islands during the first part of Operation Mo.

1939–1945 global conflictEarly 20th Century

1942

World War II

World War II: Japanese naval troops invade Tulagi Island in the Solomon Islands during the first part of Operation Mo.

World War II or the Second World War was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers. Nearly all of the world's countries participated. Tanks and aircraft played major roles, the latter enabling the strategic bombing of cities and delivery of the only nuclear weapons used in war. World War II was the deadliest conflict in history, causing the death of 60 to 75 million people.

1942 AD