In Fullmetal Alchemist, one date stands out above all others: October 3, 1911. It’s the day Edward and Alphonse Elric basically burned down their home and left with nothing but determination. Fans know it well because Edward had it engraved within his silver State Alchemist pocket watch: “Don’t forget 3 Oct, 11.”
Sounds dramatic, right? That’s because it is. This date is both a bitter wound and a badge of determination. And it’s so memorable that fans now celebrate October 3 as Fullmetal Alchemist Day in real life. But why was this single moment so significant? Let’s explore the fiery significance behind it.
Fullmetal Alchemist: How the Elrics’ Tragedy Set the Stage for October 3
In Fullmetal Alchemist, before October 3 became their ‘fresh start,’ the Elrics had undergone heartbreaks sufficient enough to traumatize anyone. Their mother, Trisha, had died of a disease. Edward and Alphonse then broke the golden rule of alchemy: never try human transmutation.
Yeah, they totally went for it anyway. And the outcome? A total disaster. Ed lost his leg, Al ended up losing his whole body, and Ed had to ditch his arm just to save his brother’s soul and tie it to some armor. Instead of their mom, they got this nightmarish, unrecognizable monster. Seriously, what a messed-up childhood.
So when Roy Mustang offered Ed the opportunity to become a State Alchemist, he completely saw it as a grand opportunity. Accessing the military’s expertise meant a shot at discovering the Philosopher’s Stone and reclaiming what they had lost. But before they could chase that future, the brothers had to be certain there was no going back.
Edward and Alphonse burned their childhood home in Resembool on October 3, 1911, and just left, never looking back. Ed explained that they did it to ‘cut off all retreat.’ No home meant no comfort zone. But here’s the thing: not everybody agrees on that interpretation.
His father, Hohenheim, believed Ed was not acting bravely; he was running away from his guilt. Destroying the house wasn’t about seeking the future; it was about trying to erase the pain of the past. And really? He’s not far off. Edward wrote “Don’t forget 3 Oct, 11” on his watch, and it was a reminder of everything he lost and everything he was determined to gain back.
For Ed, it was equivalent to saying: “Remember what it cost us. Don’t mess up again.” For the fans, it ended up being the best of Fullmetal Alchemist slogans, a representation of sacrifice, growth, and never giving up. Now here’s a fun fact for fans who’ve seen both versions: the exact year of ‘October 3’ isn’t the same in the two anime.
In both cases, the symbolism doesn’t change, but the timing does. In both cases, it marks the moment the Elrics truly begin their journey.
Fullmetal Alchemist Day: ‘Don’t Forget 3 Oct, 11’ is the Heart of the Story
Fans loved this detail so much that October 3 is now celebrated worldwide as Fullmetal Alchemist Day. On social media, you’ll see posts with “Don’t forget 3 Oct, 11,” Elric cosplays, and heartfelt messages regarding how the series helped people through tough times.
Edward might have hidden the date as a painful secret, but fans turned it into something lovely: an annual commemoration of one of the finest anime tales ever written.
Because October 3 isn’t just some random date on the calendar, it’s the core of Fullmetal Alchemist. It’s when Ed and Al gave up their safety net and embarked upon a journey that would alter not only their lives, but the destiny of a nation.
By the end of the series, “Don’t forget 3 Oct” stops being about guilt and becomes a symbol of growth. To the Elrics, it was the day they abandoned everything. To us, it’s the day we recall why we loved Fullmetal Alchemist in the first place.
Fullmetal Alchemist anime is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
