On this day in history - August 3

What Happened On This Day – August 3

• 2005 Mahmoud Ahmadinejad takes office in Iran

  An engineer and teacher by professional, Ahmadinejad became the 6th president of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

• 2005 Coup in Mauritania

  A military coup replaced long-time president Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya. Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall took over the transitional government until elections were held in 2005.

• 1960 Niger gains its independence from France

  The West African country became a French colony in the early 20th century. Hamani Diori became the first president of the country.

• 1946 World's first theme park opens its doors in in Santa Claus, Indiana, USA

  Santa Claus Land is now known as Holiday World & Splashin' Safari.

• 1900 Firestone Tire and Rubber Company is founded

  The American tire company was founded by Harvey Samuel Firestone in Akron, Ohio. In 1988, the company was taken over by Japan's Bridgestone Corporation.