1. Ohio became the 17th state in the United States on March 1, 1803. October 3 marks the anniversary of Ohio's official statehood.

2. In 1813, during the War of 1812, the Battle of the Thames took place in southwestern Ontario and southeastern Michigan. Many Ohio soldiers fought in this battle, including the famous General William Henry Harrison, who later became the 9th President of the United States.

3. The University of Toledo was founded on October 2, 1872, but its first day of classes was held on October 3, making it an important date in the school's history.

4. One of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in Ohio's history occurred on October 3, 1979. A total of seven tornadoes touched down in the state, resulting in 18 deaths and over 300 injuries.

5. On October 3, 2005, the Ohio State Buckeyes football team defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions 17-10 in a game that was played during a torrential downpour. This victory helped propel the team to an undefeated record for the season and a spot in the national championship game.