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

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

From A Daily Dose of History: Events on this Day in History by Amalia Dupray and Montgomery Jones

May 3, 2026 · 10 min

About this episode

This episode covers the ascension of Mayan king Bird Jaguar IV and various significant historical events that occurred on this day.

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 northern Europe and northern Asia, as predicted by Edmond Halley to within four minutes accuracy. The Constitution of May 3 (the first modern constitution in Europe) is proclaimed by the Sejm of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Washington, D.C. is incorporated as a city after Congress abolishes the Board of Commissioners, the District's founding government. The "City of Washington" is given a mayor-council form of government. Finnish War: Sweden loses the fortress of Sveaborg to Russia. Peninsular War: The Madrid rebels who rose up on May 2 are executed near Príncipe Pío hill. Neapolitan War…

People in this episode

Hosts: Amalia Dupray, Montgomery Jones

Topics covered

  • Mayan history
  • earthquakes
  • European history
  • constitutional history
  • wars
  • railway history

Keywords

  • Mayan king
  • Bird Jaguar IV
  • earthquake
  • Treaty of Loudun
  • total solar eclipse
  • Constitution of May 3
  • Washington D.C.
  • Peninsular War
  • Neapolitan War
  • railway history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Portuguese, University of Athens

Places: Yaxchilan, Chiapas, Washington, D.C.

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