Wednesday, 18th January 1956 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 drizzly with temperatures between -1°C and 5°C. Tonight's moon is in its waning gibbous phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Capricorn. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Wednesday, 18th January in London, GB.
On 18 January 1956, London experienced drizzly weather whilst the city continued its post-war recovery and transformation. The capital, situated on the Thames in south-east England, was establishing itself as a centre of cultural and political significance during this period. It was on this date that Iranian Shia cleric Navvab Safavi, founder of the fundamentalist group Fada'iyan-e Islam, was executed for attempting to assassinate Prime Minister Hossein Ala'. His execution marked a significant moment in Iran's mid-twentieth-century history and the country's shifting political landscape.
The historical record for this date extends well beyond the events of 1956. In 1943, during World War II, the Red Army achieved a pivotal breakthrough in Operation Iskra, establishing a narrow land corridor to Leningrad and partially easing the protracted German siege of the city. These military developments fundamentally altered the course of the Eastern Front. The date also marks the commemoration of other notable events across centuries, including the founding of Lima by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 and the formation of the German Empire through unification in 1871.
On this January day, astrology positioned those born under the sign of Capricorn, with the moon in its waning gibbous phase. These celestial conditions created a specific astronomical context for the date. DayAtlas provides comprehensive information about weather conditions, historical events, notable births and deaths for any date and location, enabling users to explore the significance of any day throughout history.
Find out what's happening today in London.
What the Weather Had in Store for London on 18th January 1956
Persistence is not strength; it is refusal to stop listening.
Fortune of the Day
18th January in the Stars – Star Sign Pisces
Personality Profile
Personality People born on January 18th blend Capricorn ambition with Venusian grace. They appear reserved yet possess subtle sensuality and charm. Their drive for success combines with genuine harmony – they achieve without coldness.
Strengths & Weaknesses Strengths: discipline, pragmatism, and inner stability; they navigate challenges methodically. Weaknesses: rigid tendencies, emotional guardedness, sometimes pessimistic outlook.
Love Those born on this day are loyal if initially cautious partners. Venus influence grants sensual awareness and appreciation for beauty. They build slowly but secure emotional bonds.
Caree & Finance These individuals excel in structured, responsible roles—management, engineering, finance. Their ambition paired with practical thinking drives solid, long-term wealth building.
Health Regular routines optimally support their wellbeing. They should release emotional tension through sports or creativity, as Saturn energy tends toward rigidity.
That night, the moon was in its waning gibbous phase.
Chinese year of the Goat (Wood).
Fun Facts About 18th January
Name Days in Your Language: Faustina, Faustine, Fraser, Fraze
Someone born on this day in 1956 would be 70 years old today — just 25,648 days into life, which is roughly 615,560 hours, 36,933,619 minutes, or 2,216,017,172 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 18. day of the year.
As this is a leap year, there are 348 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 3 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 18th January
- Paul Deighton, Baron Deighton, English banker and politician (1956)
- Kevin Costner, American actor, director, and producer (1955)
- Ted DiBiase, American wrestler (1954)
- Brett Hudson, American singer-songwriter and producer (1953)
- B. K. Misra, Indian neurosurgeon (1953)
- Peter Moon, Australian comedian and actor (1953)
Lives Remembered on 18th January
- Makbule Atadan, Turkish lawyer and politician (born 1885) (1956)
- Konstantin Päts, Estonian journalist, lawyer, and politician, 1st President of Estonia (born 1874) (1956)
- Saadat Hasan Manto, Pakistani author and screenwriter (born 1912) (1955)
- Sydney Greenstreet, English-American actor (born 1879) (1954)
- Curly Howard, American actor (born 1903) (1952)
- Amy Carmichael, Irish missionary and humanitarian (born 1867) (1951)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 18th January
- Christian feast day: Amy Carmichael (Church of England)
- Christian feast day: Athanasius of Alexandria (Eastern Orthodox Church)
- Christian feast day: Confession of Peter (Eastern Orthodox, some Anglican and Lutheran Churches)
- Christian feast day: Deicolus
- Christian feast day: Margaret of Hungary
- Christian feast day: Prisca
- Christian feast day: Blessed Regina Protmann
- Christian feast day: Volusianus of Tours
- Christian feast day: January 18 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Royal Thai Armed Forces Day (Thailand)
What Happened on 18th January?
- At least 45 people are killed and 292 others injured after two trains collide in Adamuz in the worst railway disaster in over a decade in Spain. (2026)
- The popular social media app, TikTok, is banned in the United States, after the passing of PAFACA. (2025)
- A helicopter crash in Ukraine leaves 14 people dead, including the country's Interior Minister, Denys Monastyrsky. (2023)
- An oil pipeline explosion near Tlahuelilpan, Hidalgo, Mexico, kills 137 people. (2019)
- A bus catches fire on the Samara–Shymkent road in Yrgyz District, Aktobe, Kazakhstan. The fire kills 52 passengers, with three passengers and two drivers escaping. (2018)
- More than 115,000 websites engage in an online protest against the Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect IP Act in the US.[citation needed] The websites involved viewed the laws as infringing on the right to free speech and many of them temporarily shut down in protest. (2012)
- The Euphronios Krater is unveiled in Rome after being returned to Italy by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2008)
- The strongest storm in the United Kingdom in 17 years kills 14 people and Germany sees the worst storm since 1999 with 13 deaths. Cyclone Kyrill causes at least 44 deaths across 20 countries in Western Europe. (2007)
- The Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial jet, is unveiled at a ceremony in Toulouse, France (2005)
- A bushfire kills four people and destroys more than 500 homes in Canberra, Australia. (2003)