Thursday, 19th December 1985 in London
Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! It's World Human Solidarity Day. Explore 51 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 cloudy with temperatures between 4°C and 8°C. Tonight's moon is in its waning gibbous 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 Thursday, 19th December in London, GB.
On 19 December 1985, London experienced cloudy conditions as the city moved through the waning gibbous moon phase. Those born on this date fall under the Sagittarius zodiac sign. London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is situated on the River Thames in south-eastern England and serves as the country's political, economic and cultural centre.
The date marks several significant moments in history across different centuries and continents. In 2016, Russian ambassador Andrei Karlov was assassinated at an art gallery in Ankara, Turkey, in a shooting that heightened international tensions. Three decades earlier, in 1985, an Aeroflot flight was hijacked by its co-pilot, who subsequently landed the aircraft in a cow pasture in China before being apprehended. The European Space Agency also launched its Gaia spacecraft on this date in 2013, embarking on an ambitious mission to create the largest and most precise star catalogue ever produced.
Notable figures and cultural milestones are also connected to 19 December. Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol in 1843, the novella that would become a cornerstone of English literature and seasonal tradition. The work tells the story of the miser Ebenezer Scrooge and his moral transformation following visits from supernatural beings.
DayAtlas provides comprehensive information for any date and location, displaying weather conditions, historical events, and records of famous births and deaths. Users can explore how specific dates have shaped history whilst learning about the meteorological conditions and astronomical details of those days.
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What the Weather Had in Store for London on 19th December 1985
Every compass points toward something; few point toward themselves.
Fortune of the Day
19th December in the Stars – Star Sign Pisces
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on December 19 blend Sagittarius optimism with Martian courage into a dynamic force. Naturally philosophical and truth-seeking, they chase freedom and expansive experiences relentlessly. Mars adds an ambitious edge to their adventurous spirit.
Strengths & Weaknesses Their strengths include courage, independent thinking, and inspiring vision. Impatience and recklessness can undermine them; they may overcommit or speak bluntly without filtering. Self-awareness helps harness their formidable energy.
Love These natives seek intellectually vibrant, adventurous partners who respect autonomy. Passion and shared ideals matter deeply; they thrive in honest, exploratory relationships. Freedom balanced with commitment defines their romantic ideal.
Caree & Finance They excel in purposeful fields—education, law, research, entrepreneurship—where freedom matters. Financial stability grounds them, yet money alone doesn't fulfill their deeper drive for meaning and impact.
Health Regular vigorous activity is essential for mental and physical wellbeing. Preventing burnout through adequate rest and contemplative practice supports their intensity. Balanced nutrition fuels their substantial energy reserves.
That night, the moon was in its waning gibbous phase.
Chinese year of the Ox (Wood).
Fun Facts About 19th December
Name Days in Your Language: Daria, Darian, Darien, Dario, Darion, Darius, Haysten
Someone born on this day in 1985 would be 40 years old today — just 14,723 days into life, which is roughly 353,362 hours, 21,201,723 minutes, or 1,272,103,420 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 353. day of the year.
There are 12 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 51 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 19th December
- Alexis Sánchez, Chilean footballer (1988)
- Peter Winn, English footballer (1988)
- Cédric Baseya, French-Congolese footballer (1987)
- Karim Benzema, French footballer (1987)
- Ronan Farrow, American activist, journalist, and lawyer (1987)
- Calvin Andrew, English footballer (1986)
- Lauren Boebert, American politician (1986)
- Ryan Babel, Dutch footballer (1986)
- Ingrid Burley, American rapper and songwriter (1986)
- Lazaros Christodoulopoulos, Greek footballer (1986)
Lives Remembered on 19th December
- Robert Bernstein, American author and playwright (born 1919) (1988)
- Win Maw Oo, Burmese student activist (born 1971) (1988)
- August Mälk, Estonian author, playwright, and politician (born 1900) (1987)
- V. C. Andrews, American author (born 1923) (1986)
- Werner Dankwort, Russian-German colonel and diplomat (born 1895) (1986)
- Joy Ridderhof, American missionary (born 1903) (1984)
- Dwight Macdonald, American philosopher, author, and critic (born 1906) (1982)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 19th December
- Christian feast day: Lillian Trasher (Episcopal Church)
- Christian feast day: O Radix
- Christian feast day: Pope Anastasius I
- Christian feast day: Pope Urban V
- Christian feast day: December 19 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Christian feast day: Saint Nicholas Day
- Goa Liberation Day (Goa, India)
- National Heroes and Heroines Day (Anguilla)
What Happened on 19th December?
- Mikhail Gorbachev, leader of the Soviet Union, releases Andrei Sakharov and his wife from exile in Gorky. (1986)
- Aeroflot Flight 101/435 is hijacked to China by its first officer. (1985)
- The Sino-British Joint Declaration, stating that China would resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and the United Kingdom would restore Hong Kong to China with effect from July 1, 1997, is signed in Beijing by Deng Xiaoping and Margaret Thatcher. (1984)
- The original FIFA World Cup trophy, the Jules Rimet Trophy, is stolen from the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (1983)
- Sixteen lives are lost when the Penlee lifeboat goes to the aid of the stricken coaster Union Star in heavy seas. (1981)