Thursday, 8th May 1947 in London
Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! It's World Red Cross Day and Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for WW2. 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 cloudy with temperatures between 11°C and 21°C. Tonight's moon is in its waxing crescent 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 Thursday, 8th May in London, GB.
On Thursday, 8th May 1947, London experienced cloudy conditions under a waxing crescent moon, with the date falling under the zodiac sign of Taurus. London, the capital of the United Kingdom, served as a major political and cultural centre during the post-war period, hosting numerous governmental and international affairs. The city's recovery from wartime damage was well underway, making it a focal point for European reconstruction efforts.
Throughout history, this date has marked several significant moments. In 1945, a parade in Sétif, French Algeria, celebrating the end of World War II in Europe descended into violence, with subsequent reprisals by colonial authorities claiming thousands of lives over the following weeks. Three years later, the Tollund Man, a naturally mummified corpse from approximately 400 BCE, was discovered in a peat bog near Silkeborg, Denmark, providing archaeologists with remarkable insights into Iron Age Scandinavia and preservation techniques.
The significance of specific dates extends beyond individual events, revealing patterns in human history and natural occurrences. DayAtlas enables users to explore weather conditions, historical events, and notable births and deaths for any date and location, providing a comprehensive resource for temporal research and historical inquiry.
Find out what's happening today in London.
What the Weather Had in Store for London on 8th May 1947
Listening requires surrendering the urge to respond immediately.
Fortune of the Day
8th May in the Stars – Star Sign Pisces
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on May 8th embody Taurus in its purest, most grounded form. They are dependable, sensual, and naturally elegant through Venus's influence. Their patience and determination make them genuinely reliable and steadfast companions.
Strengths & Weaknesses These individuals shine through their stability, sensory appreciation, and practical wisdom. However, stubbornness and resistance to change can limit their growth. Inertia and comfort-seeking require conscious effort to overcome.
Love May 8th natives love deeply and loyally, seeking stable, long-term relationships with sensual intimacy and emotional security. Their partners value their unwavering devotion and romantic consistency. They build enduring bonds through steady presence.
Caree & Finance Professionally, these people excel in roles demanding persistence and practical skill. They have natural aptitude for managing finances and building lasting wealth. Their reliable work ethic yields solid, sustainable success over time.
Health Those born this day thrive with regular movement balanced against genuine relaxation. Combating natural inertia and monitoring comfort-seeking tendencies supports wellbeing. Sensory pleasures and grounded activities nourish their vitality.
That night, the moon was in its waxing crescent phase.
Chinese year of the Pig (Fire).
Fun Facts About 8th May
Name Days in Your Language: Acacia, Ace, Hal, Harold, Harriet, Harris, Harrison, Harry, Hattie
Someone born on this day in 1947 would be 78 years old today — just 28,827 days into life, which is roughly 691,861 hours, 41,511,669 minutes, or 2,490,700,163 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 128. day of the year.
There are 237 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 19 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 8th May
- H. Robert Horvitz, American biologist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (1947)
- John Reid, Baron Reid of Cardowan, Scottish historian and politician, Secretary of State for Defence (1947)
- Keith Jarrett, American pianist and composer (1945)
- Gary Glitter, English singer-songwriter (1944)
- Pat Barker, English author (1943)
- Gamini Lokuge, Sri Lankan politician (died 2025) (1943)
- Norman Lamont, Scottish banker and politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer (1942)
- Terry Neill, Irish footballer and manager (died 2022) (1942)
- Bill Lockyer, American academic and politician, 30th Attorney General of California (1941)
- James Traficant, American lawyer and politician (died 2014) (1941)
Lives Remembered on 8th May
- Vital Brazil, Brazilian physician and immunologist (born 1865) (1950)
- U Saw, Burmese politician, Prime Minister of Burma (born 1900) (1948)
- Harry Gordon Selfridge, American-English businessman, founded Selfridges (born 1858) (1947)
- Frank Bourne, British soldier, last survivor of the Battle of Rorke's Drift (born 1854) (1945)
- Julius Hirsch, German footballer (born 1892) (1945)
- Wilhelm Rediess, German SS officer (born 1900) (1945)
- Bernhard Rust, German lieutenant and politician (born 1883) (1945)
- Josef Terboven, German lieutenant and politician (born 1898) (1945)
- Themistoklis Diakidis, Greek high jumper (born 1882) (1944)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 8th May
- Christian feast day: Amato Ronconi
- Christian feast day: Apparition of Saint Michael
- Christian feast day: Arsenius the Great
- Christian feast day: Desideratus
- Christian feast day: Blessed Catherine of St. Augustine
- Christian feast day: Julian of Norwich (Anglican, Lutheran)
- Christian feast day: Magdalene of Canossa
- Christian feast day: Our Lady of Luján
- Christian feast day: Peter II of Tarentaise
- Christian feast day: Blessed Teresa Demjanovich (Ruthenian Catholic Church)
- Christian feast day: 19 Martyrs of Algeria
- Christian feast day: May 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Emancipation Day (Columbus, Mississippi)
- Furry Dance (Helston, UK)
- Liberation Day (Czech Republic)
- Miguel Hidalgo's birthday (Mexico)
- Parents' Day (South Korea)
- Truman Day (Missouri)
- Veterans Day (Norway)
- Victory in Europe Day, and its related observances (Europe): Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War, continues to May 9
- Victory in Europe Day, and its related observances (Europe): Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II 1939 – 1945 (Ukraine)
- White Lotus Day (Theosophy)
- World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day (International)
What Happened on 8th May?
- The Tollund Man was discovered in a peat bog near Silkeborg, Denmark. (1950)
- Estonian schoolgirls Aili Jõgi and Ageeda Paavel blow up the Soviet memorial which preceded the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn. (1946)
- World War II: The German Instrument of Surrender signed at Berlin-Karlshorst comes into effect. (1945)
- End of the Prague uprising, celebrated now as a national holiday in the Czech Republic. (1945)
- Hundreds of Algerian civilians are killed by French Army soldiers in the Sétif massacre. (1945)
- The Halifax riot starts when thousands of civilians and servicemen rampage through Halifax, Nova Scotia. (1945)