Sunday, 31st July 1960 in London
Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! 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 drizzly with temperatures between 10°C and 19°C. Tonight's moon is in its waning gibbous phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Leo. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Sunday, 31st July in London, GB.

On 31 July 1960, London experienced drizzly weather under a waning gibbous moon. The city, situated on the Thames in south-east England, served as the capital and largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom. The zodiac sign for this date fell under Leo, a time traditionally associated with creativity and self-expression. The damp conditions were typical of London's climate during the summer season.
Throughout history, 31 July has marked several pivotal moments across different continents. In 2007, Operation Banner, the British Armed Forces' military intervention in Northern Ireland, concluded after 38 years of operations, ending with a ceasefire and military stalemate that had defined decades of conflict. Two years earlier, in 2006, Fidel Castro transferred his presidential duties to his brother Raúl following intestinal surgery, signalling a significant shift in Cuba's political landscape. These events underscore how a single date can carry substantial geopolitical weight across multiple regions and timeframes.
DayAtlas provides comprehensive historical information for any date and location, displaying weather patterns, significant events, and notable births and deaths. Users can explore how past occurrences have shaped specific places and understand the conditions that existed on particular days throughout history. The platform offers a useful resource for researchers, students and those interested in historical context and temporal awareness.
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What the Weather Had in Store for London on 31st July 1960
The blueprint exists only until hands begin the work.
Fortune of the Day
31st July in the Stars – Star Sign Leo
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on July 31st embody classic Leo pride with an extra dose of Mars-driven courage. They're passionate, bold, and naturally driven to transform their visions into reality. The Master Number 11 grants them spiritual depth that transcends surface ambition.
Strengths & Weaknesses Their greatest strength lies in blending charisma with decisive action—they inspire others and make bold moves. However, their ambition and impatience can trigger impulsive choices, and their need for recognition can occasionally feel overwhelming.
Love In relationships, these individuals are passionate and generous, yet seek partners who honor their intense energy. They thrive on admiration and mental stimulation, though learning to listen emotionally and resist dominance strengthens bonds.
Caree & Finance In professional settings, they flourish in leadership roles where they can drive projects and energize teams. Their Mars influence makes them excellent entrepreneurs, though financial discipline prevents impulsive investment mistakes.
Health These natives enjoy strong physical stamina but must channel their intense energy wisely. Regular exercise and mindfulness practices keep them emotionally balanced and vitally engaged.
That night, the moon was in its waning gibbous phase.
Chinese year of the Rat (Metal).
Fun Facts About 31st July
Name Days in Your Language: Ignacio, Inigo, Reed, Reid
Someone born on this day in 1960 would be 65 years old today — just 24,001 days into life, which is roughly 576,046 hours, 34,562,811 minutes, or 2,073,768,687 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 213. day of the year.
As this is a leap year, there are 153 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 30 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 31st July
- Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), English DJ and musician (1963)
- Fergus Henderson, English chef and author (1963)
- Brian Skrudland, Canadian ice hockey player and coach (1963)
- John Chiang, American lawyer and politician, 31st California State Controller (1962)
- Kevin Greene, American football player and coach (died 2020) (1962)
- Wesley Snipes, American actor and producer (1962)
- Frank Gardner, English captain and journalist (1961)
- Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Nigerian banker, royal (1961)
- Dale Hunter, Canadian ice hockey player and coach (1960)
- Malcolm Ross, Scottish guitarist and songwriter (1960)
Lives Remembered on 31st July
- Paul Bucha, United States Army Medal of Honor recipient (born 1943) (2024)
- Ismail Haniyeh, Palestinian politician, political leader of Hamas (born 1962/1963) (2024)
- Angus Cloud, American actor (born 1998) (2023)
- Fidel V. Ramos, 12th President of the Philippines (born 1928) (2022)
- Bill Russell, NBA Hall of Fame player and coach (born 1934) (2022)
- Alan Parker, English filmmaker (born 1944) (2020)
- Harold Prince, Broadway producer and director, who received more Tony awards than anyone else in history (born 1928) (2019)
- Tony Bullimore, British sailor & businessman (born 1939) (2018)
- Jeanne Moreau, French actress (born 1928) (2017)
- Chiyonofuji Mitsugu, Japanese sumo wrestler, the 58th Yokozuna (born 1955) (2016)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 31st July
- Christian feast day: Abanoub
- Christian feast day: Germanus of Auxerre
- Christian feast day: Ignatius of Loyola
- Christian feast day: Neot
- Christian feast day: July 31 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Earliest day on which the Feast of Kamál (Perfection) can fall, while August 1 is the latest; observed on the first day of the eighth month of the Baháʼí calendar. (Baháʼí Faith)
- End of the Trinity term (sitting of the High Court of Justice of England)
- Lā Hae Hawaiʻi Day (Hawaii, United States), and its related observance: Sovereignty Restoration Day (Hawaiian sovereignty movement)
- Martyrdom Day of Shahid Udham Singh (Haryana and Punjab, India)
- Treasury Day (Poland)
- Warriors' Day (Malaysia)
What Happened on 31st July?
- Gas explosions in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung kill at least 20 people and injure more than 270. (2014)
- Michael Phelps breaks the record set in 1964 by Larisa Latynina for the most medals won at the Olympics. (2012)
- East Coast Jets Flight 81 crashes near Owatonna Degner Regional Airport in Owatonna, Minnesota, killing all eight people on board. (2008)
- Operation Banner, the presence of the British Army in Northern Ireland, and the longest-running British Army operation ever, comes to an end. (2007)
- Fidel Castro hands over power to his brother, Raúl. (2006)
- Discovery Program: Lunar Prospector: NASA intentionally crashes the spacecraft into the Moon, thus ending its mission to detect frozen water on the Moon's surface. (1999)
- FedEx Express Flight 14 crashes at Newark International Airport, injuring five. (1997)
- The nation of Georgia joins the United Nations. (1992)
- Thai Airways International Flight 311 crashes into a mountain north of Kathmandu, Nepal killing all 113 people on board. (1992)
- China General Aviation Flight 7552 crashes during takeoff from Nanjing Dajiaochang Airport, killing 108. (1992)