Friday, 31st May 1946 in London
Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! It's World No Tobacco Day. Explore 55 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 15°C. Tonight's moon is in its waxing gibbous 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 Friday, 31st May in London, GB.
On this day in history, several significant events have shaped nations and international relations. In 1941, German forces dropped four bombs on neutral Ireland, killing 28 people and damaging the residence of the President of Ireland, marking a controversial moment during the Second World War. That same year, the United Kingdom completed its re-occupation of Iraq, returning Abd al-Ilah to power as regent for Faisal II, consolidating British influence in the Middle East during the war effort. These events underscored the complex geopolitical landscape of the 1940s, with neutral states facing unexpected consequences of the global conflict.
The history of 31 May extends back centuries, including the donation of 746 Greek and Latin codices to the Republic of Venice by Cardinal Bessarion in 1468, a moment that established the foundation of the Biblioteca Marciana and preserved invaluable classical texts for future generations. London, where this date falls, has long served as a major centre of political and cultural significance, home to institutions and decisions that have reverberated across the British Commonwealth and beyond.
On 31 May 1946, London experienced drizzly weather typical of late spring in the capital. The moon was in its waxing gibbous phase, approaching fullness, whilst those born on this date fell under the zodiac sign of Gemini, known for adaptability and communication.
DayAtlas provides comprehensive information about weather conditions on any given date and location, alongside historical events, notable births and deaths, allowing users to explore how specific days have unfolded across time and geography.
Find out what's happening today in London.
What the Weather Had in Store for London on 31st May 1946
What stands still eventually gathers moss; what moves gathers stories.
Fortune of the Day
31st May in the Stars – Star Sign Pisces
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on May 31st embody vibrant curiosity and restless energy. Their thinking is unconventional, shaped by Uranus influence that makes them visionaries among Geminis. They constantly seek fresh ideas and alternative perspectives.
Strengths & Weaknesses Strengths include flexibility, intellectual brilliance, and innovative creativity. Weaknesses manifest as unreliability and superficiality when interest wanes. Nervousness can complicate their decision-making processes.
Love These individuals need partners who understand and share their mental restlessness. Surface-level relationships won't suffice; they seek deep conversations and mutual stimulation. Bonds form through intellectual connection and shared adventurousness.
Caree & Finance Careers in technology, communication, research, or entrepreneurship suit them best. Their ability to recognize patterns and devise innovative solutions makes them invaluable. Financial security requires discipline—their impulsiveness creates challenges.
Health Physical restlessness demands regular movement and mental engagement. Stress manifests quickly in nervousness and sleep disruption. Mindfulness practices and structured routines substantially support their wellbeing.
That night, the moon was in its waxing gibbous phase.
Chinese year of the Dog (Fire).
Fun Facts About 31st May
Name Days in Your Language: Camila, Camilla, Camille, Petra, Petronella, Pier
Someone born on this day in 1946 would be 79 years old today — just 29,169 days into life, which is roughly 700,075 hours, 42,004,520 minutes, or 2,520,271,247 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 151. day of the year.
There are 214 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 22 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 31st May
- Tom Berenger, American actor, film producer and television writer (1949)
- Svetlana Alexievich, Belarusian journalist and author, Nobel Prize laureate (1948)
- John Bonham, English musician, songwriter and drummer (died 1980) (1948)
- Martin Hannett, English bass player, guitarist, and record producer (died 1991) (1948)
- Duncan Hunter, American lieutenant, lawyer, and politician (1948)
- Junior Campbell, Scottish singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer (1947)
- Gabriele Hinzmann, German discus thrower (1947)
- Ted Baehr, American publisher and critic (1946)
- Steve Bucknor, Jamaican cricketer and umpire (1946)
- Krista Kilvet, Estonian journalist, politician, and diplomat (died 2009) (1946)
Lives Remembered on 31st May
- Stanley Fischer, Israeli-American economist (born 1943) (2025)
- Robert Pickton, Canadian serial killer (born 1949) (2024)
- Marian Robinson, mother of Michelle Obama (born 1937) (2024)
- Colin Cantwell, American concept artist and director (born 1932) (2022)
- Krishnakumar Kunnath, Indian singer (born 1968) (2022)
- Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela, Colombian drug lord (born 1939) (2022)
- Jim Parks, English cricketer (born 1931) (2022)
- Mohamed Abdelaziz, President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (1976–2016) (born 1947) (2016)
- Jan Crouch, American televangelist, co-founder of the Trinity Broadcasting Network (born 1938) (2016)
- Carla Lane, English television writer (born 1928) (2016)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 31st May
- Anniversary of Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (Brunei)
- Christian feast day: Camilla Battista da Varano
- Christian feast day: Hermias
- Christian feast day: Petronella
- Christian feast day: Visitation of Mary (Western Christianity)
- Christian feast day: May 31 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Kaamatan, harvest festival in the state of Sabah and the federal territory of Labuan (Malaysia)
- World No Tobacco Day (International)
- Borobi Day (Australia)
What Happened on 31st May?
- A shooting occurs inside a municipal building at Virginia Beach, Virginia, leaving 13 people dead, including the shooter, and four others injured. (2019)
- A car bomb explodes in a crowded intersection in Kabul near the German embassy during rush hour, killing over 90 and injuring 463. (2017)
- Syrian civil war: The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launch the Manbij offensive, in order to capture the city of Manbij from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). (2016)
- The asteroid 1998 QE2 and its moon make their closest approach to Earth for the next two centuries. (2013)
- A record breaking 2.6 mile wide tornado strikes near El Reno, Oklahoma, United States, causing eight fatalities (including three storm chasers) and over 150 injuries. (2013)
- Israeli Shayetet 13 commandos boarded the Gaza Freedom Flotilla while still in international waters trying to break the ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip; nine Turkish citizens on the flotilla were killed in the ensuing violent affray. (2010)
- Usain Bolt breaks the world record in the 100m sprint, with a wind-legal (+1.7 m/s) 9.72 seconds. (2008)
- Space Shuttle Discovery launches on STS-124 carrying the second portion of the Japanese Kibō module to the International Space Station. (2008)
- Vanity Fair reveals that Mark Felt was "Deep Throat". (2005)
- Air France retires its fleet of Concorde aircraft. (2003)