Wednesday, 1st April 2026 in London

Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! It's April Fools' Day and World Autism Awareness Day. Explore 58 historical events, birthdays, deaths, and milestones that shaped this day in London. From remarkable moments in local and world history to the people who left their mark — find out what makes today special. Today's weather in London brings drizzly with temperatures between 5°C and 13°C. Tonight's moon is in its waning crescent phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Aries. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Wednesday, 1st April in London, GB.

London
Ilya Grigorik – CC BY-SA 3.0Wikimedia Commons

On 1st April 2026, London experiences drizzly conditions as the city moves through spring under a waning crescent moon. Those born on this date fall under the zodiac sign of Aries, characterised by assertiveness and determination. London, the capital of the United Kingdom, remains a global centre for finance, culture and politics, with its influence extending across international affairs and commerce.

The date carries significant historical weight, marked by pivotal moments that have shaped modern society. The Netherlands made landmark progress in civil rights when it legalised same-sex marriage in 2001, becoming the first country to do so and establishing a precedent that would influence legislation worldwide. The founding of Apple Computer, Inc. by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak on this date in 1976 would prove equally transformative, launching a technology company that fundamentally altered how people interact with computing devices and digital services. The Hawker Siddeley Harrier entered Royal Air Force service in 1969, representing a breakthrough in military aviation as the first operational fighter aircraft capable of vertical and short take-off and landing capabilities.

Beyond these innovations, the date encompasses moments of social legislation and international significance. The establishment of the Royal Air Force near the end of the First World War in 1918 restructured British military strategy and created an institution that continues to operate today. Historical records reveal that various civil and political events occurred on this date across centuries, reflecting humanity's ongoing evolution in governance, technology and international relations.

DayAtlas provides comprehensive information about weather conditions on any given date, significant historical events, and notable births and deaths for specific locations and timeframes. Users can explore how past occurrences shaped present circumstances and examine the broader historical context of any calendar date worldwide.

Find out what's happening today in London.

What the Weather Had in Store for London on 1st April 2026

Drizzle

Sunrise 06:35
Sunset 19:33
Sunshine duration 05:45 hours
Daylight duration 12:57 hours

Maximum temperature 13.6°C
Minimum temperature 5.9°C

Wind speed 8.4km/h from WNW
Precipitation 0.3mm

Seeds grow taller in soil that resists them.

Fortune of the Day

1st April in the Stars – Star Sign Aries

Today, the zodiac sign Aries celebrates its birthday.

Personality Profile

Personality Those born on April 1st embody pure Aries fire: vibrant, courageous, and spirited. They dive headfirst into new ventures with contagious enthusiasm and relish any challenge. Their impulsive nature makes them natural pioneers and trailblazers.

Strengths & Weaknesses Their strengths include boldness, initiative, and unwavering optimism. However, impatience and hasty decisions can backfire. They benefit from thinking before acting and cultivating strategic restraint.

Love These people are passionate and direct about their feelings in relationships. They need partners who match their energy and respect their independence. Boredom is their greatest enemy in love.

Caree & Finance Careers in leadership, sports, or entrepreneurship suit them perfectly. They drive projects forward and inspire teams through sheer force of will. Financially, they should curb impulsive spending and embrace long-term planning.

Health These active individuals need regular physical exercise to manage stress effectively. Without outlets, headaches and tension can emerge. Meditation helps them maintain inner calm and focus.


That night, the moon was in its waning crescent phase.


Chinese year of the Horse (Fire).

Fun Facts About 1st April

Name Days in Your Language: April, Arden, Argus, Aries, Diamond, Paris


Someone born on this day would be just 45 days old today — roughly 1,093 hours, 65,583 minutes, or 3,934,987 seconds spent on Earth so far.


It's the 91. day of the year.


There are 274 days still to come.


We’re currently in Week 14 — the year marches on.

Famous Birthdays on 1st April

  • Rhian Brewster, English footballer (2000)
  • Gabe Davis, American football player (1999)
  • King Combs, American rapper (1998)
  • Mitchell Robinson, American basketball player (1998)
  • Asa Butterfield, English actor (1997)
  • Álex Palou, Spanish racing driver (1997)
  • Sophia Hutchins, American socialite (1996)
  • Jofra Archer, Barbadian-English cricketer (1995)
  • Logan Paul, American YouTuber, actor and wrestler (1995)
  • Deng Linlin, Chinese gymnast (1992)

Lives Remembered on 1st April

  • Val Kilmer, American actor (born 1959) (2025)
  • Johnny Tillotson, American singer-songwriter (born 1938) (2025)
  • Lou Conter, American naval commander (born 1921) (2024)
  • Vontae Davis, American football player (born 1988) (2024)
  • Joe Flaherty, American actor, writer, and comedian (born 1941) (2024)
  • Sami Michael, Iraqi-born Israeli writer and human rights activist (born 1926) (2024)
  • Ed Piskor, American comic book artist (born 1982) (2024)
  • Mohammad Reza Zahedi, Iranian senior military officer (born 1960) (2024)

Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 1st April

  • Christian feast day: Cellach of Armagh
  • Christian feast day: Hugh of Grenoble
  • Christian feast day: Frederick Denison Maurice (Church of England)
  • Christian feast day: Mary of Egypt
  • Christian feast day: Melito of Sardis
  • Christian feast day: Tewdrig
  • Christian feast day: Theodora
  • Christian feast day: Walric, abbot of Leuconay
  • Christian feast day: April 1 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
  • April Fools' Day
  • Odisha Day (Odisha, India)
  • Arbor Day (Tanzania)
  • Civil Service Day (Thailand)
  • Cyprus National Day (Cyprus)
  • Edible Book Day
  • Fossil Fools Day
  • Kha b-Nisan, the Assyrian New Year (Assyrian people)

What Happened on 1st April?

  • The Artemis II lunar flyby mission launches, marking the first crewed flight above low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. (2026)
  • The 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict begins along the Nagorno-Karabakh Line of Contact. (2016)
  • After protests against the burning of the Quran turn violent, a mob attacks a United Nations compound in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of fourteen people, including seven UN workers. (2011)
  • Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) of the Government of the United Kingdom is enforced, but later merged into National Crime Agency on 7 October 2013. (2006)
  • Google launches its Email service Gmail. (2004)
  • An EP-3E United States Navy surveillance aircraft collides with a Chinese People's Liberation Army Shenyang J-8 fighter jet. The Chinese pilot ejected but is subsequently lost. The Navy crew makes an emergency landing in Hainan, China and is detained. (2001)
  • Former President of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Slobodan Milošević surrenders to police special forces, to be tried on war crimes charges. (2001)
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal in the Netherlands, the first contemporary country to allow it. (2001)
  • Nunavut is established as a Canadian territory carved out of the eastern part of the Northwest Territories. (1999)
  • Comet Hale–Bopp is seen passing at perihelion. (1997)