1. The Watts Riots began in Los Angeles on August 3, 1965. The riots were sparked by the arrest of a black motorist by white police officers, and lasted for six days. The riots resulted in 34 deaths, over 1,000 injuries, and more than $40 million in property damage.

2. On August 3, 1923, the world's largest outdoor pool, the Neptune Pool, opened at Hearst Castle in San Simeon. The pool is over 100 feet long and holds 345,000 gallons of water.

3. On August 3, 1949, the Seacliff Amusement Pier in Santa Cruz collapsed due to severe erosion. The collapse caused significant damage, but luckily no one was seriously injured.

4. The San Diego Convention Center opened on August 3, 1989. The convention center is one of the largest in the country and hosts numerous events and conferences throughout the year.

5. On August 3, 1914, the Panama Canal officially opened. While not in California, the canal was a major accomplishment for the United States and had a significant impact on international trade and transportation. Many goods from Asia and other parts of the world now had a more efficient route to reach the East Coast of the United States.