On this day in history - May 3

What Happened On This Day – May 3

• 1999 A tornado produces the highest wind speeds ever recorded

  The F5 tornado hitting parts of Oklahoma City caused the record wind speed of about 301 mph (484 km/h). 45 people were killed, 665 injured.

• 1979 Margaret Thatcher is elected British Prime Minister

  The conservative politician was the first female head of state in Europe. During her 11-year reign, her sweeping economic reforms polarized the British public and her toughness earning her the nickname The Iron Lady.

• 1978 The Digital Equipment Corporation sends the world's first spam email

  A representative sent out 600 emails and sold computers for $12 million. Unsolicited bulk emails have since become a scourge of the digital age as spammers attempt to achieve a similar success.

• 1958 Truman Capote's book Breakfast at Tiffany's is published

  The novella is one of the U.S. author's most popular works. The 1961 film of the same name starring Audrey Hepburn is classic in its genre.

• 1913 The first Indian full-length feature film is premiered

  The release of Raja Harishchandra marked the birth of the Indian film industry, the world's largest in terms of films produced and ticket sales.