September 3

September 3 is the 246th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 120 days remaining until the end of the year.

Events

Pre-colonial period (before 1890)

• c. 1605 – Oral traditions of the Bemba note the first use of iron smelting in the Lake Tanganyika trade region.
• 3 September 1870 – Missionary records document first contact between Portuguese traders and the Lozi in Barotseland.

Colonial era (1890–1964)

• 3 September 1901 – British South Africa Company establishes a post at Mansa for trade and administration.
• 3 September 1910 – Northern Rhodesia Colonial Office approves expansion of railways linking Kitwe and Ndola.
• 3 September 1935 – Copperbelt miners strike for wage parity and improved working conditions.
• 3 September 1948 – First formal census conducted in Northern Rhodesia, recording population and settlement patterns.
• 3 September 1957 – Local council elections held in Lusaka township for first time under colonial regulations.
• 3 September 1962 – African nationalist leaders hold conference in Ndola, preparing for independence negotiations.

Post-independence politics

• 3 September 1966 – Zambia establishes diplomatic relations with Tanzania to promote the Tanzania-Zambia Railway project.
• 3 September 1974 – President Kaunda inaugurates rural development initiative targeting Northern and Eastern provinces.
• 3 September 1991 – MMD government ratifies electoral reforms, enabling multiparty local elections.
• 3 September 2000 – Patriotic Front (PF) officially registers as political party.
• 3 September 2018 – President Hakainde Hichilema launches decentralisation policy in Southern Province.

Legal and constitutional affairs

• 3 September 1969 – Parliament passes amendments to local government ordinances.
• 3 September 1992 – Supreme Court ruling clarifies tenure limits for cabinet ministers.
• 3 September 2015 – Public debate held on constitutional amendment regarding presidential succession.

Economy and labour

• 3 September 1932 – First copper shipment from Mufulira arrives in the UK.
• 3 September 1972 – Zambia Railways signs contract for procurement of diesel locomotives.
• 3 September 2004 – Zambia Revenue Authority launches e-filing for corporate taxes.
• 3 September 2020 – Lusaka Stock Exchange reports 2.8% increase in mining company shares.

Sports history

• 3 September 1980 – Zambia defeats Tanzania 3–0 in friendly at Independence Stadium.
• 3 September 1996 – Zambia national under-20 team qualifies for African Youth Championship.
• 3 September 2012 – ZESCO United FC wins Super League match against Nkana FC 2–1.

Arts and culture

• 3 September 1978 – First national drama festival held in Kitwe.
• 3 September 1995 – National Arts Council launches “Zed Music Week” to promote local musicians.
• 3 September 2019 – Lusaka hosts inaugural Zambia Literature Festival.

Environment and climate

• 3 September 2001 – Ministry of Environment issues drought preparedness guidelines for Southern Province.
• 3 September 2015 – Kariba Dam water levels reach 486.5 m, prompting controlled releases.

Disasters and incidents

• 3 September 1985 – Road accident on Great North Road kills 14 passengers.
• 3 September 2010 – Fire at Lusaka market destroys 50 shops, no fatalities.

Religion and missionary activity

• 3 September 1908 – Missionary society opens first school in Mongu.
• 3 September 1950 – United Church of Zambia ordains second cohort of local pastors.
• 3 September 2020 – Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia hosts national prayer for COVID-19 response.

Notable births

• 3 September 1975 – Rainford Kalaba, professional footballer for Zambia National Team.
• 3 September 1988 – Esther Banda, athlete representing Zambia in international marathons.

Notable deaths

• 3 September 2008 – President Levy Mwanawasa dies in Paris, France; Rupiah Banda becomes Acting President.

Sources and further reading

• National Archives of Zambia
• Zambia Daily Mail and Times of Zambia archives
• Government Gazettes and Parliamentary Hansards
• FAZ historical match reports
• Zambia Meteorological and Environmental Agency
• National Arts Council and Broadcasting records