What Happened on August 3?

August 3 is National Watermelon Day — a juicy summer celebration — on the same date Columbus sailed in 1492, Nautilus reached the North Pole in 1958, Jesse Owens won Olympic gold in 1936, and the NBA was formed in 1949.

• 1492 — Christopher Columbus sets sail from Spain

  On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus left Palos, Spain, with the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María seeking a western route to Asia. Read the full story →

• 1914 — Germany declares war on France

  On August 3, 1914, Germany declared war on France, expanding World War I on the Western Front. Read the full story →

• 1936 — Jesse Owens wins Olympic 100-meter gold in Berlin

  On August 3, 1936, American sprinter Jesse Owens won the 100-meter dash at the Berlin Olympics, stunning Nazi propaganda about racial superiority. Read the full story →

• 1949 — The National Basketball Association is formed

  On August 3, 1949, the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League merged to create the NBA. Read the full story →

• 1958 — USS Nautilus reaches the North Pole under the ice

  On August 3, 1958, the nuclear submarine USS Nautilus became the first ship to reach the geographic North Pole underwater. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Tony Bennett (1926–2023) · Martha Stewart (1941) · Tom Brady (1977) · Martin Sheen (1940)

Days & observances

National Watermelon Day · National Grab Some Nuts Day · National Fresh Watermelon Day · Summer Picnic Awareness Day