On this day: August 3

College Football Coach Resigns After Staging His Own Death

A college football coach who was reported dead on August 3, 1981, has resigned after authorities concluded the death was staged. The bizarre episode prompted an investigation into insurance and employment matters and raised questions about motives and oversight.

Jim Jones Announces Mass Relocation for Peoples Temple Congregation

On August 3, 1977, Peoples Temple leader Jim Jones publicly announced plans to relocate many members of his congregation to Guyana, citing the move as a refuge from perceived persecution in the United States.

NASA Confirms Loss of Mars Polar Lander

On Aug. 3, 1999, NASA announced it had lost contact with the Mars Polar Lander during its descent to the Martian surface; the spacecraft was intended to study the planet's polar region and search for water and climate records.

Europe Endures Unprecedented Heat Wave in August 2003

A severe heat wave struck much of Europe in early August 2003, producing record-high temperatures, thousands of heat-related deaths, strained infrastructure and renewed attention to heat-related public health and climate preparedness.