Wednesday, 7th January 1981 in London
Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! Explore 47 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 -2°C and 1°C. Tonight's moon is in its full moon 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, 7th January in London, GB.
Wednesday, 7th January 1981 marked a day of significant political consequence across Europe. In Spain, after 253 days without an operational government, a second round of investiture votes produced the country's first coalition government since the Second Republic, resolving a period of institutional deadlock. Meanwhile, on the same date in 1989, one of the most famous upsets in FA Cup history unfolded when Sutton United, a team competing in the fifth tier of English league football, defeated top-tier Coventry City in a remarkable sporting achievement that captured public imagination.
London, the capital of the United Kingdom, served as the backdrop for this winter's day. The city experienced cloudy conditions typical of January weather patterns. The moon was at its full phase, casting a bright glow across the metropolitan landscape despite the overcast skies. Those born on this date fell under the zodiac sign of Capricorn, an earth sign traditionally associated with discipline and pragmatism.
French physicist Marguerite Perey, who would later become known for identifying francium as the last naturally occurring element in 1939, represents the kind of scientific achievement that characterises human endeavour across generations. Her work in nuclear chemistry expanded our understanding of the periodic table and demonstrated the significance of persistent laboratory research.
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What the Weather Had in Store for London on 7th January 1981
Foundations claim no glory – yet without them, towers crumble unseen.
Fortune of the Day
7th January in the Stars – Star Sign Pisces
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on January 7th embody classic Capricorn traits: ambitious, serious-minded and practical. They carry natural authority and work methodically toward their goals. A quiet reserve gives them depth and contemplative nature.
Strengths & Weaknesses Strengths include discipline, endurance and strategic thinking. They are reliable partners and professionals. Weaknesses involve rigidity, emotional guardedness and a tendency toward pessimism or self-doubt.
Love In relationships these individuals appear distant initially but are profoundly loyal and caring. They seek partners who value their seriousness and appreciate long-term stability. Emotional expression feels difficult, yet their dependability is unshakeable.
Caree & Finance Financial security and professional status matter deeply. They excel in management, administration and skilled trades. The numerological 8 amplifies business acumen and ambition for material success and wealth-building.
Health These individuals tend toward chronic stress from overcommitment. Structured routines support their wellbeing. Regular exercise and conscious relaxation help prevent tension, burnout and age-related health challenges.
That night, the moon was in its full moon phase.
Chinese year of the Monkey (Metal).
Fun Facts About 7th January
Name Days in Your Language: Alda, Aldea, Alden, Aldo, Aldric, Canute, Knut, Knute, Millard, Miller
Someone born on this day in 1981 would be 45 years old today — just 16,528 days into life, which is roughly 396,685 hours, 23,801,113 minutes, or 1,428,066,834 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 7. day of the year.
There are 358 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 2 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 7th January
- Jon Lester, American baseball player (1984)
- Brett Dalton, American actor (1983)
- Edwin Encarnación, Dominican baseball player (1983)
- Cappie Pondexter, American basketball player (1983)
- Lauren Cohan, American-English actress (1982)
- Francisco Rodríguez, Venezuelan baseball player (1982)
- Hannah Stockbauer, German swimmer (1982)
- Alex Auld, Canadian ice hockey player (1981)
- Marquis Daniels, American basketball player (1981)
- Travis Friend, Zimbabwean cricketer (1981)
Lives Remembered on 7th January
- Glenn Hall, Canadian ice hockey goaltender (born 1931) (2026)
- Jean-Marie Le Pen, French intelligence officer and politician (born 1928) (2025)
- Peter Yarrow, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer (born 1938) (2025)
- Franz Beckenbauer, German footballer and manager (born 1945) (2024)
- Michael Apted, English filmmaker (born 1941) (2021)
- Tommy Lasorda, American baseball player, coach, and manager (born 1927) (2021)
- Henri Schwery, Swiss cardinal (born 1932) (2021)
- Neil Peart, Canadian drummer, songwriter, and producer (born 1952) (2020)
- Silvio Horta, American screenwriter and television producer (born 1974) (2020)
- Elizabeth Wurtzel, author and feminist (born 1967) (2020)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 7th January
- Christian Feast Day: André Bessette (Canada)
- Christian Feast Day: Blessed Marie Thérèse Haze
- Christian Feast Day: Canute Lavard
- Christian Feast Day: Felix and Januarius
- Christian Feast Day: Lucian of Antioch
- Christian Feast Day: Raymond of Penyafort
- Christian Feast Day: Synaxis of John the Forerunner & Baptist (Julian calendar)
- Christian Feast Day: January 7 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Christmas (Eastern Orthodox Churches and Oriental Orthodox Churches using the Julian calendar, Rastafari) Christmas in Russia
- Christmas (Eastern Orthodox Churches and Oriental Orthodox Churches using the Julian calendar, Rastafari) Christmas in Ukraine
- Christmas (Eastern Orthodox Churches and Oriental Orthodox Churches using the Julian calendar, Rastafari) Christmas in Serbia
- Christmas (Eastern Orthodox Churches and Oriental Orthodox Churches using the Julian calendar, Rastafari) Ethiopian Christmas
- Christmas (Eastern Orthodox Churches and Oriental Orthodox Churches using the Julian calendar, Rastafari) Remembrance Day of the Dead (Armenia)
- Distaff Day (medieval Europe)
- Pioneer's Day (Liberia)
- Tricolour Day or Festa del Tricolore (Italy)
- Victory from Genocide Day (Cambodia)
What Happened on 7th January?
- A series of wildfires ravage the Greater Los Angeles area, resulting in at least 16 deaths and 13,401 structures destroyed. (2025)
- The longest U.S. House of Representatives speaker election since the December 1859 – February 1860 U.S. speaker election concludes and Kevin McCarthy is elected 55th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. (2023)
- The 6.4Mw 2019–20 Puerto Rico earthquakes kill four and injure nine in southern Puerto Rico. (2020)
- Two gunmen commit mass murder at the offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris, executing twelve people and wounding eleven others. (2015)
- A car bomb explodes outside a police college in the Yemeni capital Sanaa with at least 38 people reported dead and more than 63 injured. (2015)
- A hot air balloon crashes near Carterton, New Zealand, killing all 11 people on board. (2012)
- The Senate trial in the impeachment of U.S. President Bill Clinton begins. (1999)
- A British Aerospace Jetstream 41 operating as United Express Flight 6291 crashes in Gahanna, Ohio, killing five of the eight people on board. (1994)
- The Fourth Republic of Ghana is inaugurated with Jerry Rawlings as president. (1993)
- Bosnian War: The Bosnian Army executes a surprise attack at the village of Kravica in Srebrenica. (1993)