This Day in History: May 3

1791: Constitution of May 3 proclaimed in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

The Constitution of May 3, 1791 was enacted by the Great Sejm (Parliament) of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It is considered the first modern constitution in Europe and the second in the world, after the United States Constitution. It established a constitutional monarchy and limited the power of the nobility, granting more rights to the common people. Unfortunately, it was short-lived as it was soon annulled by foreign powers who partitioned Poland.

1913: Indian film industry is born with Raja Harishchandra

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. Directed by Dadasaheb Phalke, the silent film tells the story of a king who sacrifices his kingdom and family for truth and justice. It was a huge success and paved the way for the development of the Indian cinema industry.

1937: Margaret Mitchell wins Pulitzer Prize for "Gone With The Wind"

"Gone With The Wind," written by Margaret Mitchell, was published in 1936 and went on to become one of the best-selling novels of all time. The story, set in the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction, centers around the life of Scarlett O'Hara, a headstrong and manipulative woman who falls in love with Rhett Butler. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction the following year and was later adapted into a highly successful film.

1945: Cap Arcona disaster

The Cap Arcona was a German passenger ship that was used as a concentration camp ship during World War II. On May 3, 1945, just days before the end of the war in Europe, the ship was sunk by the Royal Air Force in the East Sea, resulting in the deaths of around 5,800 prisoners. It remains one of the largest maritime losses of life in history.

1947: Japan's post-war constitution goes into effect

The new constitution of Japan, which had been drafted by American occupation authorities, went into effect on May 3, 1947. The constitution established a parliamentary system of government, granted universal suffrage, and stripped Emperor Hirohito of all but symbolic power. It also outlawed Japan's right to make war, paving the way for the country's transformation into a peaceful, democratic nation.

1958: Breakfast at Tiffany's is published

Truman Capote's novella, "Breakfast at Tiffany's," was published in 1958 and has since become one of his most popular works. The story is narrated by a struggling writer who becomes fascinated with his neighbor, Holly Golightly, a socialite with a mysterious past. The novella was later adapted into a classic film starring Audrey Hepburn.

1978: First spam email sent by Digital Equipment Corporation

In 1978, the Digital Equipment Corporation sent out the world's first spam email, advertising their line of computers. The representative who sent the emails reportedly sold computers worth $12 million, but the unsolicited bulk emails sparked a trend that has since become a major issue in the digital age.