The Great Calendar Caper and the World's Most Productive Mess

The Day the Calendar Broke

On September 3, 1752, the British Empire pulled off the ultimate time-travel prank. To catch up with the rest of Europe and the Gregorian calendar, they simply deleted eleven days from existence! Citizens went to bed on the night of September 2nd and woke up the next morning on September 14th 3 September In History - Events, Deaths & Birthdays. While it sounds like a dream for anyone dreading a Monday, many people were reportedly furious, rioting in the streets with the cry, 'Give us our eleven days!'—convinced the government had somehow shortened their natural lifespans 3 September In History - Events, Deaths & Birthdays.

A Very Lucky Mess

Fast forward to September 3, 1928, when Alexander Fleming proved that being a bit untidy can actually save the world. After returning to his London lab from a long vacation, he noticed a petri dish he’d forgotten to clean had grown a strange mold that was busy murdering his bacteria cultures On This Day - What Happened on September 3. Instead of scrubbing it away, he investigated the 'accident,' leading to the discovery of penicillin, the world's first antibiotic On This Day - What Happened on September 3.

Other Oddities on September 3rd:

• 1833: The New York Sun began publication, launching the 'penny press' era by focusing on scandalous stories of crimes and suicides for just one cent 3 September In History - Events, Deaths & Birthdays.
• 1869: Ketchup king Henry John Heinz tied the knot with Sarah Sloan Young, presumably promising to stay together through thick and thin (liquids) What Happened on September 3.
• 2008: The Oklahoma City NBA franchise officially announced their name would be the Thunder, inspired by the powerful storms common in the area Historical Events on September 3.