Mayan King Bird Jaguar IV's Ascension: A Historic Moment (+ 13 more historical events on this day!)

A Daily Dose of History: Events on this Day in History · May 3, 2026 · 9m

A Daily Dose of History (03 May 2026)

Today's historical events:

Mayan king Bird Jaguar IV of Yaxchilan in modern-day Chiapas, Mexico, assumes the throne.

The largest of three earthquakes strikes the island of Rhodes and causes an estimated 30,000 casualties.

Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries, adopting the baptismal name of João I.

Angered by the brutal onslaught of Spanish troops at Fort Caroline, a French force has burned the San Mateo fort and massacred hundreds of Spaniards.

Treaty of Loudun ends a French civil war.

A total solar eclipse is visible across…