This Day In History

September 3
863
Major Byzantine victory at the Battle of Lalakaon against an Arab raid.
1260
The Mamluks defeat the Mongols at the Battle of Ain Jalut in Palestine, marking their first decisive defeat and the point of maximum expansion of the Mongol Empire.
1939
World War II: France, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia declare war on Germany after the invasion of Poland, forming the Allies.
1971
Qatar becomes an independent state.
1994
Sino-Soviet Split: Russia and the People's Republic of China agree to de-target their nuclear weapons against each other.