Wednesday, 4th May 1949 in London
Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! It's Star Wars Day and International Firefighters' Day. 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 cloudy with temperatures between 6°C and 17°C. Tonight's moon is in its waning gibbous phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Taurus. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Wednesday, 4th May in London, GB.

On 4th May 1949, London experienced cloudy skies as the city continued its post-war recovery under the newly formed Labour government. The weather conditions across the capital reflected the grey austerity that characterised much of Britain during this period of rationing and reconstruction. This date holds significance in European history, marked particularly by the inaugural W Series race at Hockenheimring in Germany in 2019, which established a significant motorsport competition for female drivers. Additionally, the Parliament of Malta relocated from the Grandmaster's Palace to its purpose-built Parliament House in 2015, marking an important institutional transition for the island nation.
London itself stands as one of Europe's largest and most historically significant cities. The capital has served as the political, economic and cultural centre of the United Kingdom for centuries, with its influence extending across the Commonwealth and beyond. On this particular day in 1949, the city bore the marks of wartime damage, yet residents and officials were engaged in ambitious plans for modernisation and development.
The astrological conditions on 4th May 1949 placed the date under the sign of Taurus, whilst the moon was in its waning gibbous phase. For those interested in historical details, DayAtlas provides comprehensive information including weather conditions, significant events, notable births and deaths for any specific date and location. The platform enables users to explore how different places and circumstances intersected on particular days throughout history.
Find out what's happening today in London.
What the Weather Had in Store for London on 4th May 1949
The soil beneath May's growth remembers winter's stillness entirely.
Fortune of the Day
4th May in the Stars – Star Sign Taurus
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on May 4th embody classic Taurus energy with a refined appreciation for beauty and harmony. Their calm, reliable nature makes them pleasant companions who radiate stability and deeply value comfort and security.
Strengths & Weaknesses These individuals shine with patience, loyalty, and practical intelligence. Their stubborn streak and tendency to cling to material security can limit flexibility and prevent necessary growth or adaptation.
Love May 4th natives seek lasting, stable relationships with sensual depth and genuine connection. They love faithfully and build partnerships on solid trust, though they occasionally need emotional surprises to stay engaged.
Caree & Finance Professionally, these people thrive in practical fields like finance, craftsmanship, or design. Their patience and reliability lead to steady prosperity, though they prefer avoiding financial risks and speculation.
Health Their focus on pleasure and physical wellbeing can lead to sedentary habits and overindulgence. Regular exercise and mindful eating help prevent weight gain while maintaining their natural vitality and sensory enjoyment.
That night, the moon was in its waning gibbous phase.
Chinese year of the Ox (Earth).
Fun Facts About 4th May
Name Days in Your Language: Mona, Monica, Monika, Monique, Monita, Web, Webb, Webster
Someone born on this day in 1949 would be 77 years old today — just 28,131 days into life, which is roughly 675,148 hours, 40,508,922 minutes, or 2,430,535,362 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 124. day of the year.
There are 241 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 18 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 4th May
- Belinda Green, Australian beauty queen and 1972 Miss World (1952)
- Colin Bass, English bass player, songwriter, and producer (1951)
- Colleen Hanabusa, American lawyer and politician (1951)
- Jackie Jackson, American singer-songwriter and dancer (1951)
- John Force, an American NHRA drag racer (1949)
- Graham Swift, British author (1949)
- King George Tupou V of Tonga (died 2012) (1948)
- John Barnard, English car designer (1946)
- Gary Bauer, American political activist (1946)
- John Watson, British race car driver (1946)
Lives Remembered on 4th May
- Ron Kavana, Irish singer, songwriter, guitarist and band leader (born 1950) (2024)
- Frank Stella, American painter (born 1936) (2024)
- Nick Kamen, English model, songwriter (born 1962) (2021)
- Don Shula, American football player and coach (born 1930) (2020)
- Greg Zanis, American carpenter and activist (born 1950) (2020)
- Alia Abdulnoor, Emirati imprisoned woman (born 1977) (2019)
- Jean-Baptiste Bagaza, Burundian politician (born 1946) (2016)
- William Bast, American screenwriter and author (born 1931) (2015)
- Ellen Albertini Dow, American actress (born 1913) (2015)
- Marv Hubbard, American football player (born 1946) (2015)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 4th May
- Anti-Bullying Day (United Nations)
- Bird Day (United States)
- Cassinga Day (Namibia)
- Christian feast day: Blessed Ceferino Giménez Malla
- Christian feast day: Blessed Michał Giedroyć
- Christian feast day: English Saints and Martyrs of the Reformation Era (Church of England)
- Christian feast day: F. C. D. Wyneken (Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod)
- Christian feast day: Florian
- Christian feast day: Jean-Martin Moye
- Christian feast day: John Houghton, Robert Lawrence and Augustine Webster
- Christian feast day: Judas Cyriacus
- Christian feast day: Monica of Hippo (1960 Roman Catholic Calendar)
- Christian feast day: Silvanus of Gaza
- Christian feast day: May 4 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Coal Miners Day (India)
- Dave Brubeck Day (United States)
- Death of Milan Rastislav Štefánik Day (Slovakia)
- Greenery Day (Japan)
- International Firefighters' Day
- May Fourth Movement commemorations: Literary Day (Republic of China)
- May Fourth Movement commemorations: Youth Day (China)
- Remembrance Day for Martyrs and Disabled (Afghanistan)
- Remembrance of the Dead (Netherlands)
- Restoration of Independence Day (Latvia)
- Star Wars Day (International observance)
- Youth Day (Fiji)
What Happened on 4th May?
- The entire Torino football team (except for two players who did not take the trip: Sauro Tomà, due to an injury and Renato Gandolfi, because of coach request) is killed in a plane crash. (1949)
- In San Francisco Bay, U.S. Marines from the nearby Treasure Island Naval Base stop a two-day riot at Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Five people are killed in the riot. (1946)
- World War II: Neuengamme concentration camp near Hamburg is liberated by the British Army. (1945)
- World War II: The German surrender at Lüneburg Heath is signed, coming into effect the following day. It encompasses all Wehrmacht units in the Netherlands, Denmark and northwest Germany. (1945)
- World War II: The Battle of the Coral Sea begins with an attack by aircraft from the United States aircraft carrier USS Yorktown on Japanese naval forces at Tulagi Island in the Solomon Islands. The Japanese forces had invaded Tulagi the day before. (1942)