Tuesday, 28th May 1940 in London
Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! It's World Hunger Day and Menstrual Hygiene Day. Explore 50 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 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, 28th May in London, GB.
On Tuesday, 28th May 1940, London was experiencing drizzly conditions as the city confronted one of the most significant moments of the Second World War. This date marked Belgium's surrender to Nazi Germany, concluding the Battle of Belgium and fundamentally altering the strategic landscape of the European conflict. The fall of Belgium represented a critical turning point that would reshape military planning and civilian morale across Britain. Just three years earlier, Neville Chamberlain had been summoned to Buckingham Palace to kiss hands as Prime Minister, a position that would prove defining during these early stages of the war.
London itself is situated in south-east England on the Thames and has served as the political and economic centre of the United Kingdom for nearly two millennia. The capital's significance during wartime made every development in continental Europe a matter of immediate concern for government officials and the general population alike. The drizzly weather that characterised the day reflected the often grey conditions of English spring, though such meteorological details paled against the gravity of unfolding events.
From an astrological perspective, this date fell under the zodiac sign of Gemini, whilst the moon was in its waxing crescent phase. Such celestial observations held particular interest for those seeking meaning during uncertain times, though military strategists were focused on more terrestrial concerns. The convergence of personal astrology and historical crisis would have occupied different minds in different ways as the nation prepared for the challenges ahead.
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What the Weather Had in Store for London on 28th May 1940
Soil enriches itself by letting go of what it held.
Fortune of the Day
28th May in the Stars – Star Sign Pisces
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on May 28th embody Gemini's innovative spirit with Uranian originality and unconventional thinking. They constantly question norms and seek fresh perspectives. This blend creates fascinating conversationalists brimming with unexpected insights.
Strengths & Weaknesses Their strengths include flexibility, intellectual brilliance, and experimental courage. Weaknesses: nervousness, superficiality, and impatience can derail projects. Balancing innovation with perseverance remains an ongoing challenge.
Love These individuals crave intellectual stimulation and freedom in relationships. They thrive on spirited debates with partners who share their curiosity. Emotional depth requires conscious commitment, as rational thinking often dominates.
Caree & Finance Careers in tech, science, or creative fields awaken their genius potential. They flourish in environments fostering innovation. Financial stability demands focus, as impulsivity encourages spontaneous spending habits.
Health These thinkers need mental engagement for inner balance and wellbeing. Nervous tension manifests physically; yoga or meditation provide relief. Regular movement alleviates restlessness and nurtures emotional peace.
That night, the moon was in its waxing crescent phase.
Chinese year of the Dragon (Metal).
Fun Facts About 28th May
Name Days in Your Language: Bevan, Bevis, Emil, Emiliano, Emilio, Faron, Ferrin, Ferron
Someone born on this day in 1940 would be 85 years old today — just 31,363 days into life, which is roughly 752,724 hours, 45,163,442 minutes, or 2,709,806,537 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 149. day of the year.
As this is a leap year, there are 217 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 22 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 28th May
- Terry Crisp, Canadian ice hockey player and coach (1943)
- Stanley B. Prusiner, American neurologist and biochemist, Nobel Prize laureate (1942)
- Beth Howland, American actress and singer (died 2015) (1941)
- David Brewer, English politician, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London (died 2023) (1940)
- Shlomo Riskin, American rabbi and academic, founded the Lincoln Square Synagogue (1940)
- Maeve Binchy, Irish novelist (died 2012) (1939)
- Jerry West, American basketball player, coach, and executive (died 2024) (1938)
Lives Remembered on 28th May
- David Brewer, English politician, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London (born 1940) (2023)
- Patricia Brake, English actress (born 1942) (2022)
- Mark Eaton, American basketball player (born 1957) (2021)
- Neale Cooper, Scottish footballer (born 1963) (2018)
- Jens Christian Skou, Danish medical doctor and Nobel Prize laureate (born 1918) (2018)
- Cornelia Frances, English-Australian actress (born 1941) (2018)
- Harambe, Cincinnati Zoo western lowland gorilla (born 1999) (2016)
- Steven Gerber, American pianist and composer (born 1948) (2015)
- Johnny Keating, Scottish trombonist, composer, and producer (born 1927) (2015)
- Reynaldo Rey, American actor and screenwriter (born 1940) (2015)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 28th May
- Armed Forces Day (Croatia)
- Christian feast day: Bernard of Menthon
- Christian feast day: Germain of Paris
- Christian feast day: John Calvin (Episcopal Church)
- Christian feast day: Blessed Lanfranc
- Christian feast day: Blessed Margaret Pole
- Christian feast day: Blessed Maria Bagnesi
- Christian feast day: Blessed Thomas Ford
- Christian feast day: Ubaldesca Taccini
- Christian feast day: William of Gellone
- Christian feast day: May 28 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Downfall of the Derg (Ethiopia)
- Flag Day (Philippines)
- Menstrual Hygiene Day
- Republic Day (Nepal)
- TDFR Republic Day, celebrates the declaration of independence of the First Republic of Armenia and the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic from the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic in 1918. (Azerbaijan and Armenia)
- Youm-e-Takbir (Pakistan)
What Happened on 28th May?
- World War II: Belgium surrenders to Nazi Germany to end the Battle of Belgium. (1940)
- World War II: Norwegian, French, Polish and British forces recapture Narvik in Norway. This is the first Allied infantry victory of the War. (1940)
- Volkswagen, the German automobile manufacturer, is founded. (1937)
- Alan Turing submits On Computable Numbers for publication. (1936)
- Near Callander, Ontario, Canada, the Dionne quintuplets are born to Oliva and Elzire Dionne; they will be the first quintuplets to survive infancy. (1934)