Tuesday, 4th January 1972 in London
Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! It's World Braille Day. Explore 46 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 2°C and 4°C. Tonight's moon is in its waxing crescent 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 Tuesday, 4th January in London, GB.
Tuesday, 4 January 1972 marked a significant day in British legal history when Rose Heilbron became the first female judge to sit at the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, breaking through a barrier that had existed since the court's establishment centuries earlier. The drizzly weather across London provided a rather typical backdrop for this milestone, as the capital continued its ordinary business unaware of the historic nature of the appointment. Heilbron's appointment represented a watershed moment for women's representation in the judiciary, coming at a time when the legal profession remained predominantly male. Her achievement would eventually open doors for subsequent generations of female judges in the United Kingdom and beyond.
London, situated in south-eastern England, has served as the nation's capital and primary legal centre for centuries, housing the Central Criminal Court and numerous other institutions fundamental to the British legal system. The city's long-standing role as the seat of government and justice made it an appropriate location for this historic judicial appointment. On this date, those born under the zodiac sign of Capricorn and observing the waxing crescent moon phase might have reflected on the day's significance as a turning point for legal equality.
Another notable moment arrived on the same date in 1973 when Last of the Summer Wine premiered as an episode of the BBC's Comedy Playhouse, eventually becoming the longest-running sitcom in the world. This Yorkshire-based comedy would go on to captivate audiences for decades, demonstrating the enduring appeal of warm character-driven humour to British viewers.
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What the Weather Had in Store for London on 4th January 1972
Distance traveled matters less than direction chosen.
Fortune of the Day
4th January in the Stars – Star Sign Pisces
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on January 4th embody the quintessential Capricorn: grounded, purposeful, and quietly composed. Their practical nature combines with understated ambition that propels them forward steadily. The numerological influence of five adds unexpected flexibility to their otherwise structured personality.
Strengths & Weaknesses These individuals excel in reliability, persistence, and strategic thinking. Their weakness lies in rigidity and emotional distance, which can hinder intimacy. Perfectionism sometimes paralyzes their progress.
Love In relationships, January 4th natives are loyal and conscientious, though emotionally reserved. They need partners who appreciate their long-term devotion and show patience. Depth develops through consistency and mutual trust.
Caree & Finance Professionally, these people pursue security and recognized status. Saturn's rulership guides them toward administration, crafts, or management roles. Financially savvy and risk-averse, they build wealth methodically and sustainably.
Health January 4th individuals should monitor skeletal health, teeth, and joints, especially with age. Stress management is vital since they tend toward tension. Regular movement and clear routines stabilize their wellbeing.
That night, the moon was in its waxing crescent phase.
Chinese year of the Pig (Metal).
Fun Facts About 4th January
Name Days in Your Language: Angel, Angela, Angelica, Angelina, Angeline, Angelique, Angelo, Angie, Dangelo, Deangelo, Lewis, Lou, Louie, Louis, Luis
Someone born on this day in 1972 would be 54 years old today — just 19,820 days into life, which is roughly 475,681 hours, 28,540,881 minutes, or 1,712,452,888 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 4. day of the year.
As this is a leap year, there are 362 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 1 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 4th January
- Shane Carwin, American mixed martial artist and wrestler (1975)
- Paul Watson, English footballer (1975)
- Danilo Hondo, German cyclist (1974)
- Frank Høj, Danish cyclist (1973)
- Shane Walker, Australian rugby league player (1971)
- Colin Ward, Australian rugby league player (1971)
- Josh Stamberg, American actor (1970)
- Corie Blount, American basketball player (1969)
- Kees van Wonderen, Dutch footballer and manager (1969)
Lives Remembered on 4th January
- Michael Reagan, American political commentator (born 1945) (2026)
- Ana Gligić, Serbian virologist (born 1934) (2025)
- Glynis Johns, British actress and singer (born 1923) (2024)
- David Soul, American-British actor and singer (born 1943) (2024)
- Christian Oliver, German actor (born 1972) (2024)
- Rosi Mittermaier, German alpine skier and Olympic champion (born 1950) (2023)
- Tanya Roberts, American actress (born 1949) (2021)
- Tom Long, Australian actor (born 1968) (2020)
- Harold Brown, 14th United States Secretary of Defense (born 1927) (2019)
- Milt Schmidt, Canadian ice hockey player, coach and general manager (born 1918) (2017)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 4th January
- Christian feast day: Angela of Foligno
- Christian feast day: Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Christian feast day: Ferréol of Uzès
- Christian feast day: Mavilus
- Christian feast day: Pharaildis of Ghent
- Christian feast day: Rigobert
- Christian feast day: January 4 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- The eleventh of the Twelve Days of Christmas. (Western Christianity)
- Independence Day (Myanmar), celebrates the independence of Myanmar from the United Kingdom in 1948.
- Colonial Martyrs Repression Day (Angola)
- Day of the Martyrs (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
- Ogoni Day (Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People)
- Tokyo Dome Show: The annual Wrestle Kingdom event run by New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- World Braille Day
What Happened on 4th January?
- A fire in an escape room in Koszalin, Poland, kills five teenagers through carbon monoxide poisoning. (2019)
- Hennenman–Kroonstad train crash: A passenger train operated by Shosholoza Meyl collides with a truck on a level crossing at Geneva Station between Hennenman and Kroonstad, Free State, South Africa. Twenty people are killed and 260 injured. (2018)
- A gunman kills eight people in a house-to-house rampage in Kawit, Cavite, Philippines. (2013)
- The Burj Khalifa, the current tallest building in the world, officially opens in Dubai. (2010)
- A Let L-410 Turbolet crashes in the Los Roques Archipelago in Venezuela, killing 14 people. (2008)
- The 110th United States Congress convenes, electing Nancy Pelosi as the first female Speaker of the House in U.S. history. (2007)
- Ehud Olmert becomes acting Prime Minister of Israel after the incumbent, Ariel Sharon, suffers a second, apparently more serious stroke. (2006)
- Spirit, a NASA Mars rover, lands successfully on Mars at 04:35 UTC. (2004)
- Mikheil Saakashvili is elected President of Georgia following the November 2003 Rose Revolution. (2004)
- A Norwegian passenger train departing from Trondheim, collides with a local train coming from Hamar in Åsta in Åmot Municipality; 19 people are killed and 68 injured in the accident. (2000)