What Happened on April 3?
April 3 is Find a Penny Day — a playful reminder to notice lucky coins — on the same date outlaw Jesse James was killed, Motorola placed the first cell phone call, and the Pony Express began galloping mail west.
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1860 — The Pony Express begins carrying mail across the American West
On April 3, 1860, the first Pony Express rider galloped out of St. Joseph, Missouri, carrying mail toward California in about ten days — far faster than stagecoaches. Read the full story →
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1882 — Outlaw Jesse James is killed in Missouri
On April 3, 1882, Jesse James — famous bank and train robber of the American West — was shot and killed by a member of his own gang seeking a reward. Read the full story →
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1885 — Jazz pioneer Buddy Bolden is born in New Orleans
Charles 'Buddy' Bolden, born April 3, 1885, in New Orleans, is remembered as one of the earliest cornet players who helped shape jazz. Read the full story →
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1948 — President Truman signs the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe
On April 3, 1948, President Harry Truman signed the Economic Recovery Act — the Marshall Plan — sending billions in U.S. aid to rebuild war-torn Western Europe. Read the full story →
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1973 — Motorola executive places the first public cell phone call
On April 3, 1973, Motorola's Martin Cooper stood on a New York City sidewalk and called a rival lab using a handheld cellular phone — the first public mobile call. Read the full story →
Famous birthdays
Marlon Brando (1924–2004) · Eddie Murphy (1961) · Jane Goodall (1934) · Doris Day (1922–2019)
Days & observances
Find a Penny Day · National Chocolate Mousse Day · World Party Day · National Find a Rainbow Day