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What happened on May 3rd?
A landmark election put an unstoppable force in power in the UK
Matthew Jones
May 03, 2025
1979 Margaret Thatcher Becomes Britain’s First Female Prime Minister
On May 3, 1979, Margaret Thatcher led the Conservative Party to a decisive victory in the UK general election, becoming the first woman to hold the office of prime minister. Her leadership marked the beginning of a transformative era in British politics, characterized by economic reforms, privatization, and a firm stance against trade unions. Thatcher remained in power for over a decade, shaping the country’s political and economic landscape.
This is a photo of Margaret Thatcher taken between 1995 and 1996.
🗞️Today’s Headlines
Everything important that’s ever happened on May 3 :
2016 — A massive wildfire in Alberta forced the evacuation of over 80,000 residents from Fort McMurray, causing widespread destruction.
1996 — At the first formal review of the 1980 Geneva Convention on Inhumane Weapons, global leaders agreed to restrict the use of land mines over the next decade.
1978 — A marketing message sent to ARPANET users became the first recorded instance of spam email, marking the beginning of digital junk mail.
1952 — The Kentucky Derby aired on national television in the United States for the first time, bringing the famous horse race to a wider audience.
1937 — American author Margaret Mitchell won the Pulitzer Prize for Gone with the Wind, a novel that became one of the best-selling books of all time.
1494 — Christopher Columbus reached the island of Jamaica during his second voyage to the Americas, claiming it for Spain.
🎂 Today’s Birthdays
On May 3, we’re singing to:
Niccolò Machiavelli (1469) — Italian statesman and writer best known for The Prince, a political treatise on power and statecraft.
Bing Crosby (1903) — American singer, actor, and songwriter whose smooth voice and hits such as “White Christmas” made him one of the most influential entertainers of the 20th century.
James Brown (1933) — American singer and performer often called the “Godfather of Soul,” who revolutionized music with hits “I Got You (I Feel Good),” “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” and more.
🪦Who Died Today?
On May 3, we’re saying goodbye to:
Henry Garnett (1606) — English Jesuit priest executed for his alleged involvement in the Gunpowder Plot, a failed attempt to assassinate King James I by blowing up the House of Lords.
Thomas Hood (1845) — British poet and humorist known for works such as “The Song of the Shirt,” which highlighted the social injustices of the era.
Patrick Pearse (1916) — Irish poet, educator, and nationalist leader executed for his role in the Easter Rising, a key event in Ireland’s struggle for independence.
How Am I Doing?
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