1. On September 3, 1650, the first town meeting in America was held in Boston. This meeting established a tradition of democratic decision-making that continues to this day in many towns and cities across the country.

2. On September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed, officially ending the American Revolutionary War. This treaty recognized the independence of the United States from Great Britain and established its borders.

3. On September 3, 1836, Ralph Waldo Emerson delivered his famous essay "Nature" to the Phi Beta Kappa Society at Harvard University. This essay became one of the founding documents of the American transcendentalist movement, which emphasized individualism, self-reliance, and the importance of nature.

4. On September 3, 1928, the Boston Garden opened its doors to the public. This iconic sports and entertainment venue was home to the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics for many years and hosted countless memorable events over the course of its history.

5. On September 3, 2005, the Boston Red Sox retired the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball's color barrier in 1947. This marked the first time that the Red Sox had officially retired a number for anyone other than one of their own players.