Thursday, 8th May 1986 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 rainy with temperatures between 7°C and 14°C. Tonight's moon is in its waxing 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 Thursday, 8th May in London, GB.
On Thursday, 8th May 1986, London experienced rainy conditions typical of early spring in the capital. The city, which serves as the political and cultural centre of the United Kingdom, was under a waxing gibbous moon as residents born during this period fell under the Taurus zodiac sign. These meteorological and astronomical conditions framed an ordinary day in the English capital, though history records far more significant events occurring on this date across different years and continents.
Throughout history, 8th May has witnessed moments that shaped modern Europe and beyond. In 1927, French aviators Charles Nungesser and François Coli attempted an ambitious feat when they departed Paris aboard the biplane L'Oiseau Blanc, aiming to complete the first non-stop flight to New York, though they would disappear before reaching their destination. The date also marks the 1950 discovery of the Tollund Man, a naturally mummified corpse found in a peat bog near Silkeborg, Denmark, whose exceptional preservation provided invaluable insights into Iron Age life and burial practices in Northern Europe. Over a century earlier, in 1821, the Greek War of Independence saw Odysseas Androutsos lead a 120-man Greek force to a remarkable victory at the Battle of Gravia Inn, repulsing an Ottoman army numbering 8,000 soldiers.
DayAtlas provides comprehensive historical records for specific dates and locations, displaying weather conditions, significant events, and notable births and deaths. The platform allows users to explore how any given day has been marked across centuries, offering a detailed snapshot of historical moments tied to particular times and places.
Find out what's happening today in London.
What the Weather Had in Store for London on 8th May 1986
Small kindnesses compound into unexpected forms of belonging.
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 gibbous phase.
Chinese year of the Tiger (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 1986 would be 39 years old today — just 14,584 days into life, which is roughly 350,026 hours, 21,001,611 minutes, or 1,260,096,676 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
- Lars Eller, Danish ice hockey player (1989)
- Trisha Paytas, American media personality (1988)
- Felix Jones, American football player (1987)
- Mark Noble, English footballer (1987)
- Kurt Tippett, Australian footballer (1987)
- Galen Rupp, American runner (1986)
- Tommaso Ciampa, American wrestler (1985)
Lives Remembered on 8th May
- Robert A. Heinlein, American science fiction writer and screenwriter (born 1907) (1988)
- Doris Stokes, English psychic and author (born 1920) (1987)
- Ernle Bradford, English historian and author (born 1922) (1986)
- Robert Halperin, American yachtsman (born 1908) (1985)
- Karl Marx, German conductor and composer (born 1897) (1985)
- Theodore Sturgeon, American author and critic (born 1918) (1985)
- Dolph Sweet, American actor (born 1920) (1985)
- Lila Bell Wallace, American publisher, co-founded Reader's Digest (born 1890) (1984)
- Gino Bianco, Italian-Brazilian race car driver (born 1916) (1984)
- John Fante, American author and screenwriter (born 1909) (1983)
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?
- A fire at Illinois Bell's Hinsdale Central Office triggers an extended 1AESS network outage once considered to be the "worst telecommunications disaster in US telephone industry history". (1988)
- The SAS kills eight Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteers and a civilian during an ambush in Loughgall, Northern Ireland. (1987)
- Corporal Denis Lortie enters the Quebec National Assembly and opens fire, killing three people and wounding 13. René Jalbert, Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly, succeeds in calming him, for which he will later receive the Cross of Valour. (1984)
- The Soviet Union announces a boycott upon the Summer Olympics at Los Angeles, later joined by 14 other countries. (1984)
- The Thames Barrier is officially opened, preventing the floodplain of most of Greater London from being flooded except under extreme circumstances. (1984)