Saturday, 17th December 1983 in London
Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! Explore 64 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 4°C and 7°C. Tonight's moon is in its waning crescent phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Sagittarius. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Saturday, 17th December in London, GB.
Saturday, 17th December 1983 fell during a waning crescent moon phase, with London experiencing drizzly conditions throughout the day. Those born on this date would fall under the Sagittarius zodiac sign. London, the capital of the United Kingdom, sits on the River Thames and serves as the nation's political, economic and cultural centre, with a population of approximately 9 million across its greater metropolitan area.
The date holds significant historical weight in Britain. On this very day in 1983, the Provisional Irish Republican Army detonated a car bomb outside Harrods department store in central London, killing six people and injuring approximately 90 others. The attack represented one of the most prominent incidents during the Troubles, the prolonged conflict that defined Irish and British relations throughout the latter twentieth century. This tragic event occurred against a broader context of international upheaval, exemplified by Mohamed Bouazizi, whose act of self-immolation in Tunisia in 2010 would later spark the Arab Spring and reshape political landscapes across the Middle East and North Africa.
The significance of historical anniversaries extends beyond individual nations and moments. William Longsword, Duke of Normandy, met his end on this date in 942 when supporters of Arnulf I, Count of Flanders, assassinated him at a peace conference meant to resolve their differences. Such events remind us that attempts at reconciliation have long carried inherent risks, and that the resolution of disputes remains a persistent challenge throughout human history.
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What the Weather Had in Store for London on 17th December 1983
Silence reveals what words conceal.
Fortune of the Day
17th December in the Stars – Star Sign Pisces
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on December 17th blend Sagittarian optimism with Martian drive and courage. They're curious, straightforward, and perpetually in motion—rare philosophers who act decisively. Master Number 11 grants them spiritual intuition and visionary depth beneath their adventurous exterior.
Strengths & Weaknesses Their strengths shine through boldness, resilience, and inspiring communication. They galvanize others with authentic passion and conviction. Weaknesses include impatience, overconfidence, and overlooking fine details. They can seem blunt or impulsive to sensitive souls.
Love In relationships, they seek intellectually stimulating, sincere partners who honor their need for freedom. Their love is generous and loyal, though emotionally restless. They thrive with adventurous companions who match their philosophical curiosity.
Caree & Finance Ideal careers harness their risk-taking: entrepreneurship, sales, coaching, or journalism. Financial gain flows from bold decisions and calculated risks. They should temper impulsiveness with strategic planning and patience.
Health Regular physical activity—running, martial arts, high-intensity training—channelizes their Martian intensity productively. Meditation and magnesium supplements calm their restless nervous system. Sleep routines stabilize their typically active minds.
That night, the moon was in its waning crescent phase.
Chinese year of the Pig (Water).
Fun Facts About 17th December
Name Days in Your Language: Eleazar, Lazar, Lazaro, Lazarus, Olympia, Orval, Orville, Storm, Stormie, Stormy, Wilbert, Wilberta, Wilbur
Someone born on this day in 1983 would be 42 years old today — just 15,456 days into life, which is roughly 370,957 hours, 22,257,444 minutes, or 1,335,446,674 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 351. day of the year.
There are 14 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 50 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 17th December
- Emma Bell, American actress (1986)
- Frei Gilson, Brazilian Catholic priest and singer (1986)
- Frank Winterstein, Australian-Samoan rugby league player (1986)
- Vanessa Zima, American actress (1986)
- Fernando Abad, Dominican baseball player (1985)
- Łukasz Broź, Polish footballer (1985)
- Craig Reid, English footballer (1985)
- Luis Alfageme, Argentinian footballer (1984)
- Julian Bennett, English footballer (1984)
- Andrew Davies, English footballer (1984)
Lives Remembered on 17th December
- Igor Kirillov, Russian general (born 1970) (2024)
- Marisa Paredes, Spanish film actress (born 1946) (2024)
- Ronaldo Valdez, Filipino actor (born 1947) (2023)
- James McCaffrey, American actor (born 1958) (2023)
- Jeremy Bulloch, English actor (born 1945) (2020)
- Allen Dines, American politician (born 1921) (2020)
- Benjamin A. Gilman, American soldier and politician (born 1922) (2016)
- Henry Heimlich, American doctor (born 1920) (2016)
- Gordon Hunt, American voice director (born 1929) (2016)
- Hal Brown, American baseball player and manager (born 1924) (2015)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 17th December
- Christian feast day: Daniel the Prophet
- Christian feast day: Josep Manyanet i Vives
- Christian feast day: Lazarus of Bethany (local commemoration in Cuba)
- Christian feast day: O Sapientia
- Christian feast day: Olympias the Deaconess
- Christian feast day: Wivina
- Christian feast day: Sturm
- Christian feast day: December 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Accession Day (Bahrain)
- International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
- Kurdish Flag Day (Global Kurdish population)
- National Day (Bhutan)
- Pan American Aviation Day (United States)
- Wright Brothers Day, a United States federal observance by Presidential proclamation
What Happened on 17th December?
- The United States and Cuba re-establish diplomatic relations after severing them in 1961. (2014)
- Mohamed Bouazizi sets himself on fire. This act became the catalyst for the Tunisian Revolution and the wider Arab Spring. (2010)
- MV Danny F II sinks off the coast of Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of 44 people and over 28,000 animals. (2009)
- Anti-World Trade Organization protesters riot in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. (2005)
- Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicates the throne as King of Bhutan. (2005)
- The Soham murder trial ends at the Old Bailey in London, with Ian Huntley found guilty of two counts of murder. His girlfriend, Maxine Carr, is found guilty of perverting the course of justice. (2003)
- SpaceShipOne, piloted by Brian Binnie, makes its first powered and first supersonic flight. (2003)
- Sex work rights activists establish December 17 (or "D17") as International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers to memorialize victims of a serial killer who targeted prostitutes, and highlight State violence against sex workers by police and others. (2003)
- Second Congo War: The Congolese parties of the Inter Congolese Dialogue sign a peace accord which makes provision for transitional governance and legislative and presidential elections within two years. (2002)
- Peruvian internal conflict: Fourteen members of the Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement provoke a hostage crisis by taking over the Japanese embassy in Lima. (1997)