Friday, 1st February 1946 in London

Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! Explore 53 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 rainy with temperatures between 7°C and 10°C. Tonight's moon is in its waxing gibbous phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Aquarius. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Friday, 1st February in London, GB.

London
Ilya Grigorik – CC BY-SA 3.0Wikimedia Commons

On 1st February 1946, London was experiencing rainy weather as the city continued its post-war recovery. The capital, situated on the River Thames in south-east England, has served as a major global centre for commerce, culture and governance for centuries. The date fell under the zodiac sign of Aquarius, with the moon in its waxing gibbous phase, marking a period of increasing lunar illumination.

Historical events of significance have occurred on this date across different eras. In 1957, German engineer Felix Wankel saw his rotary engine prototype operate successfully for the first time at NSU Motorenwerke AG's research facilities, representing a major breakthrough in automotive engineering. More recently, in 2009, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir made history by becoming Iceland's first female prime minister, a milestone in Nordic political representation.

Throughout history, 1st February has witnessed transformative moments that shaped nations and societies. The date encompasses everything from medieval conflicts to modern technological advancement and democratic milestones, demonstrating how a single calendar day can hold multiple layers of historical importance across generations.

DayAtlas provides comprehensive information on weather conditions for any specified date and location, alongside significant events, notable births and deaths that occurred on those days. The platform enables users to explore historical patterns and understand the context surrounding specific dates throughout recorded history.

Find out what's happening today in London.

What the Weather Had in Store for London on 1st February 1946

Rain

Sunrise 08:38
Sunset 17:50
Sunshine duration 06:28 hours
Daylight duration 09:11 hours

Maximum temperature 10.6°C
Minimum temperature 7.3°C

Wind speed 33.4km/h from SW
Precipitation 7.2mm

Rhythm changes when listeners finally stop counting beats.

Fortune of the Day

1st February in the Stars – Star Sign Pisces

Today, the zodiac sign Pisces celebrates its birthday.

Personality Profile

Personality People born on February 1st embody Aquarius's innovative spirit with a pronounced preference for originality and unconventionality. They enjoy thinking ahead, questioning established norms, and bringing fresh perspectives to every situation. Uranus's influence makes them idealistic visionaries with independent character.

Strengths & Weaknesses Their strengths lie in analytical thinking, intellectual brilliance, and the courage to be different. Yet they can seem emotionally detached and struggle with impatience toward conventional people. Their stubbornness can occasionally overshadow their flexibility.

Love People born on February 1st seek mental connection and shared ideals rather than sentimental romance in relationships. They need partners who respect their independence and share intellectual interests. Friendship often forms the solid foundation of their deepest bonds.

Caree & Finance These natives thrive in careers requiring innovation—technology, science, social work, or creative fields. Financial stability matters less than the opportunity to create meaningful change. Their entrepreneurial spirit often leads to unconventional career paths.

Health People born on February 1st benefit from mental stimulation and group sports that nourish their social nature. They should schedule regular quiet time, as constant mental activity leads to overstimulation. Consistent movement and refreshing outdoor activities support their overall wellness.


That night, the moon was in its waxing gibbous phase.


Chinese year of the Rooster (Wood).

Fun Facts About 1st February

Name Days in Your Language: Birgit, Birgitta, Bret, Brett, Bridget, Bridgette, Brigitte, Brita, Britney, Britt, Brittani, Brittany, Brittney, Brytanni, Clark, Clarke, Langdon, Langston


Someone born on this day in 1946 would be 80 years old today — just 29,285 days into life, which is roughly 702,841 hours, 42,170,509 minutes, or 2,530,230,550 seconds spent on Earth so far.


It's the 32. day of the year.


There are 333 days still to come.


We’re currently in Week 5 — the year marches on.

Famous Birthdays on 1st February

  • Lex Marinos, Australian actor (died 2024) (1949)
  • Rick James, American singer-songwriter and producer (died 2004) (1948)
  • Adam Ingram, Scottish computer programmer and politician, Minister of State for the Armed Forces (1947)
  • Normie Rowe, Australian singer-songwriter and actor (1947)
  • Jessica Savitch, American journalist (died 1983) (1947)
  • Karen Krantzcke, Australian tennis player (died 1977) (1946)
  • Elisabeth Sladen, English actress (died 2011) (1946)
  • Serge Joyal, Canadian lawyer and politician, 50th Secretary of State for Canada (1945)
  • Ferruccio Mazzola, Italian footballer and manager (died 2013) (1945)
  • Mary Jane Reoch, American cyclist (died 1993) (1945)

Lives Remembered on 1st February

  • Nicolae Dumitru Cocea, Romanian journalist, author, and activist (born 1880) (1949)
  • Herbert Stothart, American conductor and composer (born 1885) (1949)
  • Piet Mondrian, Dutch-American painter (born 1872) (1944)
  • Philip Francis Nowlan, American author, created Buck Rogers (born 1888) (1940)
  • Zacharias Papantoniou, Greek journalist and critic (born 1877) (1940)

Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 1st February

  • Abolition of Slavery Day (Mauritius)
  • Air Force Day (Nicaragua)
  • Christian feast day: Blessed Candelaria of San José
  • Christian feast day: Brigid of Ireland (Saint Brigid's Day)
  • Christian feast day: Verdiana
  • Christian feast day: February 1 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
  • Earliest day on which Constitution Day can fall, while February 7 is the latest; celebrated on the first Monday in February. (Mexico)
  • Federal Territory Day (Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, Malaysia)
  • Foundation Day (of the Ryukyu Kingdom, celebrated in Okinawa Prefecture)
  • Heroes Day (Rwanda)
  • Saint Brigid's Day/Imbolc (Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Man, and some Neopagan groups in the Northern hemisphere)
  • Memorial Day of the Republic (Hungary)
  • National Freedom Day (United States)
  • The start of Black History Month (United States and Canada)
  • World Hijab Day

What Happened on 1st February?

  • Trygve Lie of Norway is picked to be the first United Nations Secretary-General. (1946)
  • The Parliament of Hungary abolishes the monarchy after nine centuries, and proclaims the Hungarian Republic. (1946)
  • World War II: Josef Terboven, Reichskommissar of German-occupied Norway, appoints Vidkun Quisling the Minister President of the National Government. (1942)
  • World War II: U.S. Navy conducts Marshalls–Gilberts raids, the first offensive action by the United States against Japanese forces in the Pacific Theater. (1942)
  • Voice of America, the official external radio and television service of the United States government, begins broadcasting with programs aimed at areas controlled by the Axis powers. (1942)
  • Mao Zedong makes a speech on "Reform in Learning, the Party and Literature", which puts into motion the Yan'an Rectification Movement. (1942)