On today’s edition of the history corner, we have looked at some of the notable events on this day. The most outstanding of them is the official celebration of Nigeria’s independence at the parliament. Today is also used to mark World Habitat Day.
October 3, 42 BC
First Battle of Philippi: Triumvirs Mark Antony and Octavian fought an indecisive battle with Caesar's assassins Brutus and Cassius.
October 3, 1712 AD
The Duke of Montrose issued a warrant for the arrest of Rob Roy MacGregor.
October 3, 1735
France and Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI signed peace accord.
October 3, 1793
A warrant was issued for the arrest of French mathematician and philosopher, Marquis de Condorcet, forcing him into hiding.
October 3, 1849
American author Edgar Allan Poe was found delirious in a gutter in Baltimore, Maryland, under mysterious circumstances; it was the last time he was seen in public before his death.
October 3, 1853
The Crimean War began as Ottoman Turks (later joined by England and France) declared war on Russia; the fighting lasted more than two years and ended with Russia's defeat.
October 3, 1863
US President Abraham Lincoln designated last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day.
October 3, 1888
Explorer Fridtjof Nansen and his team completed first known crossing of Greenland interior, arriving in Godthaab.
October 3, 1908
Pravda newspaper founded by Leon Trotsky, Adolph Joffe, Matvey Skobelev and other Russian exiles in Vienna.
October 3, 1913
US Federal income tax signed into law (at 1%) by President Woodrow Wilson.
October 3, 1918
Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria left the throne in favour of his eldest son Tsar Boris III.
October 3, 1941
Adolf Hitler said that Russia was "already broken and would  never rise again" in a broadcast to the German people.
October 3, 1945
Elvis Presley's 1st public performance, at age of 10, singing "Old Shep" in youth talent contest Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show, in Tupelo, Mississippi; contest was broadcast over WELO Radio, he won fifth prize - $5.00 in fair ride tickets.
October 3, 1960
Princess Alexandra, the Queen's representative, formally opened Nigeria’s Independence parliament before a distinguished assembly of people and diplomats. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, President of the Nigerian senate and Governor-General-designate, read out the letters meant for the opening of the parliament. The Princess later took a state drive saying an official farewell to Nigerians, and left Lagos.
October 3, 1960
Princess Alexandra of Kent arrived Ibadan to begin a two day official visit to the Western Region in connection with the independence celebrations and Her Royal Highness was met by Sir. Adesoji Aderemi, the Governor and Chief S.L. Akintola, Premier.
October 3, 1960
The Ashby Commission’s report on post-school certificates and higher education in Nigeria, recommended the establishment of four Nigerian Universities, which would be producing 2,800 graduates every year.
October 3, 1985
Pope John Paul II beatified Titus Brandsma.
October 3, 1986
first World Habitat Day celebrated, following the resolution of the United Nations in 1985.
October 3, 1992
Irish pop singer Sinéad O'Connor ripped up a picture of Pope John Paul II on "Saturday Night Live"
October 3, 1993
The so-called Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia ended, with a death toll that included 18 U.S. soldiers and hundreds of Somalis; the conflict occurred during a U.S.-led military operation that was part of a wider international humanitarian and peacekeeping effort in the war-torn African country.
October 3, 2014
Haitian politician Jean-Claude Duvalier (“Baby Doc”), who was president of Haiti from 1971 to 1986, died in Port-au-Prince while he was on trial for alleged human rights abuses.