Tuesday, 21st May 1946 in London
Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! It's World Cultural Diversity Day and World Tea Day. Explore 72 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 8°C and 14°C. Tonight's moon is in its waxing crescent phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Gemini. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Tuesday, 21st May in London, GB.
On 21 May 1946, London experienced drizzly weather as the city continued its post-war recovery. The capital, situated in South East England at the confluence of the River Thames, was rebuilding its infrastructure and society following the devastation of the Second World War. This particular Tuesday fell under the zodiac sign of Gemini, with a waxing crescent moon visible in the night sky.
The date marked a significant moment in scientific history when Manhattan Project physicist Louis Slotin accidentally exposed himself to a lethal dose of radiation whilst working with plutonium, an incident that would have lasting implications for nuclear safety protocols. This tragedy occurred as the world grappled with the consequences of atomic advancement. The event took place against a backdrop of global uncertainty, with nations reassessing their positions in the emerging post-war order.
Later that year, in 1998, Indonesian president Suharto would resign after 32 years in power, ending his authoritarian regime amid severe economic and political crises that destabilised the region. These historical events, separated by decades, demonstrate how significant developments can occur on the same calendar date. DayAtlas provides users with detailed information about weather conditions on specific dates, historical events, notable births and deaths for any location and time period, offering a comprehensive resource for historical research and reference.
Find out what's happening today in London.
What the Weather Had in Store for London on 21st May 1946
Walls dissolve for those who move through them differently.
Fortune of the Day
21st May in the Stars – Star Sign Pisces
Personality Profile
Personality People born on May 21st merge classic Gemini curiosity with innovative Uranus influence. They're restless thinkers constantly exploring new ideas and favoring unconventional perspectives. Their communication is vibrant, often pushing conventional boundaries.
Strengths & Weaknesses These individuals excel through originality, quick thinking, and adaptability. Their weakness lies in emotional superficiality and lack of sustained focus. Impatience can sabotage projects when routine sets in.
Love In relationships, they value intellectual connection and freedom equally. Partners must respect their independence while remaining stimulating. Commitment develops through shared learning journeys and collective adventures.
Caree & Finance Careers in technology, journalism, and creative fields suit them perfectly. The number eight brings ambition and success potential. Financial gains emerge through innovative business ideas and risk tolerance.
Health These individuals have active minds that struggle with stillness. Mental overstimulation triggers nervousness and sleep disruption. Regular movement and mindfulness practices significantly promote inner balance.
That night, the moon was in its waxing crescent phase.
Chinese year of the Dog (Fire).
Fun Facts About 21st May
Name Days in Your Language: Adelric, Adiel, Audric, Keaton, Kendrick
Someone born on this day in 1946 would be 79 years old today — just 29,178 days into life, which is roughly 700,295 hours, 42,017,707 minutes, or 2,521,062,474 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 141. day of the year.
There are 224 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 21 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 21st May
- Andrew Neil, Scottish journalist and academic (1949)
- Denis O'Connor, British police officer (1949)
- Rosalind Plowright, English soprano (1949)
- Elizabeth Buchan, English author and critic (1948)
- Joe Camilleri, Maltese-Australian singer-songwriter and saxophonist (1948)
- Jonathan Hyde, Australian-English actor (1948)
- Denis MacShane, Scottish journalist and politician, UK Minister of State for Europe (1948)
- Leo Sayer, English-Australian singer-songwriter and musician (1948)
- Bill Champlin, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer (1947)
- Linda Laubenstein, American physician and academic (died 1992) (1947)
Lives Remembered on 21st May
- Gerry Connolly, American politician, U.S. Representative from Virginia's 11th congressional district (born 1950) (2025)
- Jan A. P. Kaczmarek, Polish composer (born 1953) (2024)
- Alan Merten, fifth President of George Mason University (born 1941) (2020)
- Rik Kuypers, Belgian film director (born 1925) (2019)
- Binyavanga Wainaina, Kenyan writer (born 1971) (2019)
- Nick Menza, American drummer and songwriter (born 1964) (2016)
- Annarita Sidoti, Italian race walker (born 1969) (2015)
- Twinkle, English singer-songwriter (born 1948) (2015)
- Jassem Al-Kharafi, Kuwaiti businessman and politician, 8th Kuwaiti Speaker of the National Assembly (born 1940) (2015)
- Fred Gladding, American baseball player and coach (born 1936) (2015)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 21st May
- Afro-Colombian Day (Colombia)
- Christian feast day: Arcangelo Tadini
- Christian feast day: Blessed Adílio Daronch and Manuel Gómez González
- Christian feast day: Blessed Franz Jägerstätter
- Christian feast day: Earliest day on which Corpus Christi can fall, while June 24 is the latest; held on Thursday after Trinity Sunday (often locally moved to Sunday). (Roman Catholic Church)
- Christian feast day: Emperor Constantine I
- Christian feast day: Eugène de Mazenod
- Christian feast day: Helena of Constantinople, also known as "Feast of the Holy Great Sovereigns Constantine and Helen, Equal-to-the-Apostles." (Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion)
- Christian feast day: John Elliot (Episcopal Church)
- Christian feast day: Saints of the Cristero War, including Christopher Magallanes
- Christian feast day: May 21 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Circassian Day of Mourning (Circassians)
- Day of Patriots and Military (Hungary)
- Independence Day, celebrates the Montenegrin independence referendum in 2006, celebrated until the next day. (Montenegro)
- International Tea Day (International)
- Navy Day (Chile)
- Saint Helena Day, celebrates the discovery of Saint Helena in 1502. (Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha)
- World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (International)
What Happened on 21st May?
- The Greenfield tornado kills 5 and injures 35 across rural Iowa, United States. Wind speeds in excess of 480 kilometres per hour (300 mph) are estimated from measurements for the third time in history. (2024)
- A stabbing spree on the Green line of the Taichung MRT injures four people, including the perpetrator. (2024)
- Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performed their final show at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. (2017)
- Random killings occurred on the Bannan Line of the Taipei MRT, killing four and injuring 24. (2014)
- A bus accident near Himara, Albania kills 13 people and injures 21 others. (2012)
- A suicide bombing kills more than 120 people in Sanaa, Yemen. (2012)
- Radio broadcaster Harold Camping predicted that the world would end on this date. (2011)
- JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, launches the solar-sail spacecraft IKAROS aboard an H-IIA rocket. The vessel would make a Venus flyby late in the year. (2010)
- The Republic of Montenegro holds a referendum proposing independence from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro; 55% of Montenegrins vote for independence. (2006)
- The tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka opens at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey. (2005)