Wednesday, 19th August 1981 in London
Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! It's World Humanitarian Day and World Photography Day. Explore 60 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 15°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 Wednesday, 19th August in London, GB.
On Wednesday, 19th August 1981, London experienced drizzly weather typical of late summer in the capital. The city, situated on the Thames in south-east England, has served as a major political and cultural centre for nearly two millennia and remains one of Europe's largest metropolitan areas. The atmospheric conditions reflected the changeable nature of British weather during this period of the year.
Astrologically, this date fell under the zodiac sign Leo, whilst the moon was in its waxing crescent phase. These celestial conditions marked a transitional period between new and full lunar cycles, a phase traditionally associated with growth and initiation. The combination of Leo's confident character with the moon's ascending energy created particular conditions that astrologers associate with this time.
Throughout history, 19th August has witnessed significant events across Europe and beyond. In 1934, a German referendum supported the consolidation of the chancellor and president posts, solidifying Adolf Hitler's supreme power over the nation during a critical period of twentieth-century history. Similarly, in 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie raised the Jacobite standard at Glenfinnan in Scotland, initiating an attempt to reclaim the British throne for his father and launching the Jacobite rising that would reshape Scottish political history. These events demonstrate how a single calendar date can mark pivotal moments that influenced the trajectory of nations.
DayAtlas provides comprehensive historical records for any date and location, displaying weather conditions, significant events, and information about notable births and deaths. The platform enables users to explore what occurred on specific days across different time periods and geographical regions.
Find out what's happening today in London.
What the Weather Had in Store for London on 19th August 1981
Galaxies spin not because they choose their path, but because they follow it completely.
Fortune of the Day
19th August in the Stars – Star Sign Leo
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on August 19th blend Leo's solar confidence with Jupiter's wisdom and expansion. These individuals radiate natural warmth and charisma, driven by both creative passion and philosophical curiosity. They inspire others while continuously seeking personal growth and deeper understanding.
Strengths & Weaknesses Their strengths include creativity, generosity, and infectious optimism mixed with rare maturity. However, they can be overly dominant or underestimate life's complexities. Pride occasionally clouds their judgment, though their hearts remain genuinely noble.
Love In relationships, those born this day are passionate and fiercely loyal partners. They seek companions who match their enthusiasm and offer intellectual depth. Their magnanimous nature fosters profound, meaningful connections.
Caree & Finance Professionally, August 19th natives thrive in leadership and creative pursuits. Jupiter's influence grants them intuition for seizing opportunities and expanding ventures. Financially generous, they benefit from structured long-term planning.
Health These individuals typically enjoy robust health from their fiery temperament and positive outlook. Stress can strain the heart; regular exercise and meditation prove invaluable. Their natural optimism significantly supports both physical and mental wellness.
That night, the moon was in its waxing crescent phase.
Chinese year of the Rooster (Metal).
Fun Facts About 19th August
Name Days in Your Language: Sade, Sadie, Salina, Sally, Sara, Sarah, Sarai, Sari, Sarina, Zarah
Someone born on this day in 1981 would be 44 years old today — just 16,313 days into life, which is roughly 391,521 hours, 23,491,299 minutes, or 1,409,477,980 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 231. day of the year.
There are 134 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 34 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 19th August
- Simon Bird, English actor and screenwriter (1984)
- Alessandro Matri, Italian footballer (1984)
- Ryan Taylor, English footballer (1984)
- Mike Conway, English racing driver (1983)
- Missy Higgins, Australian singer-songwriter (1983)
- Tammin Sursok, South African-Australian actress and singer (1983)
- Erika Christensen, American actress (1982)
- Melissa Fumero, American actress (1982)
- J. J. Hardy, American baseball player (1982)
- Kevin Rans, Belgian pole vaulter (1982)
Lives Remembered on 19th August
- August Neo, Estonian wrestler (born 1908) (1982)
- Jessie Matthews, English actress, singer, and dancer (born 1907) (1981)
- Otto Frank, German-Swiss businessman, father of Anne Frank (born 1889) (1980)
- Aleksander Kreek, Estonian shot putter and discus thrower (born 1914) (1977)
- Groucho Marx, American comedian and actor (born 1890) (1977)
- Alastair Sim, Scottish-English actor (born 1900) (1976)
- Ken Wadsworth, New Zealand cricketer (born 1946) (1976)
- Mark Donohue, American race car driver and engineer (born 1937) (1975)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 19th August
- Afghan Independence Day, commemorates the Treaty of Rawalpindi in 1919, granting independence from Britain (Afghanistan)
- August Revolution Commemoration Day (Vietnam)
- Birthday of Crown Princess Mette-Marit (Norway)
- Christian Feast Day: Bernardo Tolomei
- Christian Feast Day: Bertulf of Bobbio
- Christian Feast Day: Saint Calminius
- Christian Feast Day: Ezequiél Moreno y Díaz
- Christian Feast Day: Feast of the Transfiguration (Julian calendar), and its related observances: Buhe (Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church)
- Christian Feast Day: Feast of the Transfiguration (Julian calendar), and its related observances: Saviour's Transfiguration, popularly known as the "Apples Feast" (Russian Orthodox Church and Georgian Orthodox Church)
- Christian Feast Day: Jean-Eudes de Mézeray
- Christian Feast Day: Louis of Toulouse
- Christian Feast Day: Maginus
- Christian Feast Day: Magnus of Anagni
- Christian Feast Day: Magnus of Avignon
- Christian Feast Day: Sebaldus
- Christian Feast Day: August 19 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Manuel Luis Quezón Day (Quezon City and other places in the Philippines named after Manuel L. Quezon)
- National Aviation Day (United States)
- World Humanitarian Day
What Happened on 19th August?
- Tens of thousands of farmed non-native Atlantic salmon are accidentally released into the wild in Washington waters in the 2017 Cypress Island Atlantic salmon pen break. (2017)
- The Dhamara Ghat train accident kills at least 37 people in the Indian state of Bihar. (2013)
- Operation Iraqi Freedom ends, with the last of the United States brigade combat teams crossing the border to Kuwait. (2010)
- A series of bombings in Baghdad, Iraq, kills 101 and injures 565 others. (2009)
- The first-ever joint military exercise between Russia and China, called Peace Mission 2005 begins. (2005)
- Google Inc. has its initial public offering on Nasdaq. (2004)
- A truck-bomb attack on United Nations headquarters in Iraq kills the agency's top envoy Sérgio Vieira de Mello and 21 other employees. (2003)
- Shmuel HaNavi bus bombing: A suicide attack on a bus in Jerusalem, planned by Hamas, kills 23 Israelis, seven of them children. (2003)
- Khankala Mi-26 crash: A Russian Mil Mi-26 helicopter carrying troops is hit by a Chechen missile outside Grozny, killing 118 soldiers. (2002)
- In Belgrade, Yugoslavia, tens of thousands of Serbians rally to demand the resignation of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia President Slobodan Milošević. (1999)