Today in History: Qatar gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1971

The following is a chronological list of notable events that occurred on September 3 throughout history:

301 – San Marino is founded by Saint Marinus, becoming one of the world’s oldest republics.

1650 – Battle of Dunbar: The New Model Army defeats royalists, opening the way to Edinburgh during the Third English Civil War.

1658 – Death of Oliver Cromwell; his son Richard Cromwell succeeds as Lord Protector of England.

1752 – British Empire adopts Gregorian calendar, skipping 11 days (September 3–13).

1783 – Treaty of Paris signed, officially ending the American Revolutionary War and recognizing U.S. sovereignty.

1833 – First issue of The Sun newspaper published in New York City, launching the “penny press.”

1939 – Britain and France declare war on Germany, responding to the invasion of Poland and marking the outbreak of World War II in Europe.

1943 – Allied invasion of Italian mainland; Italy secretly signs an armistice the same day.

1971 – Qatar gains independence from the United Kingdom, establishing itself as a sovereign state.

1976 – Viking 2 lands on Mars, beginning transmission of color photographs and atmospheric data.