Friday, 13th August 1971 in London
Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! It's International Left-Handers Day. Explore 52 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 14°C and 19°C. Tonight's moon is in its waxing crescent phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Leo. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Friday, 13th August in London, GB.
On 13th August 1971, London experienced drizzly conditions as the city moved through late summer under a waxing crescent moon. The capital, situated on the River Thames in south-east England, is home to numerous historical landmarks and serves as the political and economic centre of the United Kingdom. Those born on this date fell under the Leo zodiac sign, a fire sign associated with creativity and leadership.
The date holds significance across multiple historical periods. In 1940, the German Luftwaffe launched Adlertag, a major air operation designed to destroy the British Royal Air Force and pave the way for a potential German invasion of the United Kingdom. The operation ultimately failed, indefinitely postponing the planned invasion and marking a turning point in the Second World War. Earlier in history, on the same calendar date in 1876, the first Bayreuth Festival opened in Germany, created by composer Richard Wagner and his wife Cosima to showcase his operatic works, beginning with Das Rheingold.
Opha May Johnson, a pioneering figure in military service, enlisted as the first woman in the United States Marine Corps on this date in 1918, breaking significant gender barriers in American armed forces. Her enlistment represented an important milestone in the history of women's military participation, opening pathways for countless women who followed.
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What the Weather Had in Store for London on 13th August 1971
Small choices compound into the architecture of destiny.
Fortune of the Day
13th August in the Stars – Star Sign Pisces
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on August 13th combine Leo's natural confidence with Jupiterian wisdom and expansive thinking. They are natural leaders who blend generosity with intellectual depth, inspiring those around them through authenticity and vision.
Strengths & Weaknesses Their strengths lie in creativity, charisma, and strategic thinking. However, they can overestimate their abilities and grow impatient when success doesn't materialize quickly or their vision goes unrecognized.
Love These Leos seek partners who share their passion and support their ambitions. They love generously and dramatically, yet need genuine admiration and space for personal growth and exploration.
Caree & Finance August 13th natives thrive in creative or leadership roles where they can manifest their vision. Jupiter's influence encourages entrepreneurial thinking and magnanimous resource management with long-term perspective.
Health Their fiery nature demands regular movement and creative outlets for stress relief. They should guard against overexertion and maintain balance between ambitious pursuits and proper rest.
That night, the moon was in its waxing crescent phase.
Chinese year of the Pig (Metal).
Fun Facts About 13th August
Name Days in Your Language: Rad, Radella, Radford, Radley, Wilmer
Someone born on this day in 1971 would be 54 years old today — just 19,971 days into life, which is roughly 479,325 hours, 28,759,513 minutes, or 1,725,570,836 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 225. day of the year.
There are 140 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 32 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 13th August
- Scott MacRae, American baseball player and coach (1974)
- Joe Perry, English snooker player (1974)
- Niklas Sundin, Swedish musician and artist (1974)
- Jarrod Washburn, American baseball player and coach (1974)
- Molly Henneberg, American journalist (1973)
- Eric Medlen, American race car driver (died 2007) (1973)
- Kevin Plank, American businessman, founded Under Armour (1972)
- Patrick Carpentier, Canadian race car driver (1971)
- Adam Housley, American baseball player and journalist (1971)
- Moritz Bleibtreu, German actor (1971)
Lives Remembered on 13th August
- Richard Alatorre, American politician (born 1943) (2024)
- Wally Amos, American entrepreneur, founder of Famous Amos (born 1936) (2024)
- Sergio Donati, Italian screenwriter (born 1933) (2024)
- Greg Kihn, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1949) (2024)
- Frank Selvy, American basketball player and coach (born 1932) (2024)
- Nanci Griffith, American singer-songwriter (born 1953) (2021)
- Jim Neidhart, American wrestler (born 1955) (2018)
- Kenny Baker, English actor and musician (born 1934) (2016)
- Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Indian Hindu leader (born 1921) (2016)
- Watban Ibrahim al-Tikriti, Iraqi politician, Iraqi Minister of Interior (born 1952) (2015)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 13th August
- Christian feast day: Benedetto Sinigardi
- Christian feast day: Benildus Romançon
- Christian feast day: Centola and Helen
- Christian feast day: Cassian of Imola
- Christian feast day: Clara Maass (Lutheran Church)
- Christian feast day: Fachtna of Rosscarbery
- Christian feast day: Florence Nightingale, Octavia Hill (Lutheran Church)
- Christian feast day: Herulph
- Christian feast day: Hippolytus of Rome
- Christian feast day: Jeremy Taylor (Anglican Communion)
- Christian feast day: John Berchmans (before 1970)
- Christian feast day: Junian of Mairé
- Christian feast day: Blessed Marco d'Aviano
- Christian feast day: Maximus the Confessor
- Christian feast day: Nerses Glaietsi (Catholic Church)
- Christian feast day: Pope Pontian
- Christian feast day: Radegunde
- Christian feast day: Wigbert
- Christian feast day: August 13 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Central African Republic from France in 1960.
- International Lefthanders Day (International)
- Women's Day, commemorates the enaction of Tunisian Code of Personal Status in 1956. (Tunisia)
- World Organ Donation Day
What Happened on 13th August?
- Aviaco Flight 118 crashes on approach to A Coruña Airport in A Coruña, Spain, killing all 85 people on the plane and one other one the ground. (1973)
- The Apollo 11 astronauts enjoy a ticker-tape parade in New York City. That evening, at a state dinner in Los Angeles, they are awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Richard Nixon. (1969)
- Alexandros Panagoulis attempts to assassinate the Greek dictator Colonel Georgios Papadopoulos in Varkiza, Athens. (1968)
- Two young women became the first fatal victims of grizzly bear attacks in the 57-year history of Montana's Glacier National Park in separate incidents. (1967)
- Peter Allen and Gwynne Evans are hanged for the murder of John Alan West becoming the last people executed in the United Kingdom. (1964)