May 3rd

Times Square bombing suspect Faisal Shahzad was apprehended aboard a flight preparing to depart New York for Dubai.

Astronaut Wally Schirra died at age 84.

Iraq's first democratically elected government was sworn in.

New Hampshire’s symbol, the granite Old Man of the Mountain, collapsed in the state’s Franconia Mountains.

The United States, a member of the UN Human Rights Commission since its inception, lost its seat. It would be restored the following year.

Kansas and Oklahoma were hit by an outbreak of more than 55 tornadoes, including one measured at F5 on the Fujita scale.

The White House acknowledged that first lady Nancy Reagan had used astrological advice to help schedule President Ronald Reagan's activities.

At the age of 54, legendary horse jockey Bill Shoemaker became the oldest person to win the Kentucky Derby, riding Ferdinand to victory.

Margaret Thatcher became the first woman elected prime minister of England.

The Digital Equipment Corporation sends the world's first spam email. A representative sent out 600 emails and sold computers for $12 million. Unsolicited bulk emails have since become a scourge of the digital age as spammers attempt to achieve a similar success.

Anti-war protesters began four days of demonstrations in Washington, D.C.

The musical "The Fantasticks" opened off-Broadway, beginning a record run of nearly 42 years.

Truman Capote's book Breakfast at Tiffany's is published. The novella is one of the U.S. author's most popular works. he 1961 film of the same name starring Audrey Hepburn is classic in its genre.

The Shelley v. Kraemer Supreme Court decision stated that it is unconstitutional for a court to enforce a restrictive covenant which prevents people of a certain race from owning or occupying property.

New post-war Japanese constitution goes into effect.

WWII: German ship "Cap Arcona" laden with prisoners sunk by Royal Air Force in East Sea, 5,800 killed - one of largest maritime losses of life.

Margaret Mitchell won the Pulitzer Prize in fiction for Gone With the Wind.

Baseball Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio made his major league debut with the New York Yankees.

British General Strike: Trade Union Congress calls for a general strike 1 minute to midnight to support striking coal miners.

West Virginia imposed the first state sales tax.

Folk singer Pete Seeger was born in New York City.

The first Indian full-length feature film is premiered. The release of Raja Harishchandra marked the birth of the Indian film industry, the world's largest in terms of films produced and ticket sales.

Israeli founder and prime minister Golda Meir was born Goldie Mabovitch in Kiev, Ukraine.

Most of San Francisco destroyed by fire, 30 die.

Washington, D.C., was incorporated.

The Constitution of May 3 (the first modern constitution in Europe) is proclaimed by the Sejm of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.