September 3rd is a day of empires falling and republics rising. On this day in 36 BC, Octavian's forces won a decisive naval victory, crushing the Pompeian resistance to the Second Triumvirate. Centuries later, in 1260 AD, the Mamluks defeated the Mongols at the Battle of Ain Jalut, marking the first significant defeat for the sprawling Mongol Empire and halting their expansion. And on this same date in 301 AD, the Republic of San Marino was founded, enduring to this day as the world's oldest surviving republic. This episode also examines the American Revolution, with the first battle where the U.S. flag was flown in 1777 and the signing of the Treaty of Paris, ending the war in 1783. Finally, learn about the first openly paid professional American football player, John Brallier, who was paid $10 to play for the Latrobe Athletic Association in their victory against the Jeanette Athletic Association in 1895.