Monday, 14th October 1940 in London
Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! It's World Standards Day. Explore 66 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 8°C and 14°C. Tonight's moon is in its waning crescent phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Libra. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Monday, 14th October in London, GB.
On 14 October 1940, London experienced drizzly conditions as the city endured the relentless bombing campaign of the Second World War. The capital, situated in south-east England on the Thames, had already suffered months of intensive air raids that would reshape its urban landscape and test the resolve of its residents. This particular Monday held significant weight in the broader history of the conflict, as the accumulated toll of the Blitz continued to mount across the nation.
Two notable incidents marked this day in historical records, separated by the span of nearly a century. During the Second World War, a semi-armour-piercing fragmentation bomb fell on the road above Balham station in London, which was being used as an air raid shelter, killing at least 64 people. More recently, in 1956, B. R. Ambedkar, a leader of India's Untouchable caste, publicly converted to Buddhism and became the leader of the Dalit Buddhist movement, fundamentally shaping the trajectory of social reform in his nation. Additionally, the stratospheric achievement of Felix Baumgartner in 2012, when he jumped from a helium balloon to become the first person to break the sound barrier without vehicular power, demonstrated the continuing human drive to transcend physical limits.
The astrological context for this date places it within Libra, the sign associated with balance and justice. The moon was in its waning crescent phase, a period traditionally linked to reflection and release. DayAtlas shows weather on this day, events, famous births and deaths for any date and location, providing comprehensive historical context for understanding the broader significance of specific moments in time.
Find out what's happening today in London.
What the Weather Had in Store for London on 14th October 1940
October's chill reminds: comfort fades, but clarity remains.
Fortune of the Day
14th October in the Stars – Star Sign Libra
Personality Profile
Personality People born on October 14th blend classic Libran diplomacy with innovative Uranus influence. They appear charming and balanced while thinking unconventionally and questioning established norms. This mix creates thoughtful mediators with independent, distinctive voices.
Strengths & Weaknesses Their strengths include fairness, creativity, and strong communication skills. They perceive multiple perspectives simultaneously. The weakness: Uranus-driven restlessness amplifies natural Libran indecision, sometimes causing hesitation and stalling.
Love These natives seek partners who share intellectual curiosity and respect independence. They're faithful yet unconventional lovers, valuing harmony alongside personal freedom and space for individuality.
Caree & Finance Creative industries, technology, and consulting roles suit their strengths well. Their financial approach is thoughtful rather than impulsive. Uranus influence drives innovative solutions; patience with long-term wealth building remains essential.
Health Mental overactivity can trigger nervous tension. Movement and mindfulness provide valuable balance. These people thrive with routines that still allow creative flexibility and personal expression.
That night, the moon was in its waning crescent phase.
Chinese year of the Dragon (Metal).
Fun Facts About 14th October
Name Days in Your Language: Calista, Dwight, Fortino, Fortuna, Glennis, Glynnis
Someone born on this day in 1940 would be 85 years old today — just 31,233 days into life, which is roughly 749,599 hours, 44,975,959 minutes, or 2,698,557,555 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 288. day of the year.
As this is a leap year, there are 78 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 42 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 14th October
- Mohammad Khatami, Iranian scholar and politician, 5th President of Iran (1943)
- Bob Hiller, English rugby player (1942)
- Evelio Javier, Filipino lawyer and politician (died 1986) (1942)
- Péter Nádas, Hungarian author and playwright (1942)
- Suzzanna, Indonesian actress (died 2008) (1942)
- Jerry Glanville, American football player and coach (1941)
- Eddie Keher, Irish sportsman (1941)
- Laurie Lawrence, Australian rugby player and coach (1941)
- Art Shamsky, American baseball player and manager (1941)
- Roger Taylor, English tennis player (1941)
Lives Remembered on 14th October
- Thomas J. Donohue, American business executive (born 1938) (2024)
- Tina Kaidanow, American diplomat and government official (born 1965) (2024)
- Janet Nelson, British historian (born 1942) (2024)
- Philip Zimbardo, American psychologist and academic (born 1933) (2024)
- Robbie Coltrane, Scottish actor, comedian and writer (born 1950) (2022)
- Lee Wan-koo, South Korean politician, 39th Prime Minister of South Korea (2021)
- Harold Bloom, American literary critic (born 1930) (2019)
- Sulli, South Korean actress, singer, and model (born 1994) (2019)
- Helen Kelly, New Zealand trade union leader (born 1964) (2016)
- Nurlan Balgimbayev, Kazakh politician, 3rd Prime Minister of Kazakhstan (born 1947) (2015)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 14th October
- Christian feast day: Angadrisma
- Christian feast day: Fortunatus of Todi
- Christian feast day: Joseph Schereschewsky (Episcopal Church (USA))
- Christian feast day: Pope Callixtus I
- Christian feast day: October 14 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Christian feast day: Intercession of the Theotokos
- Day of the Cathedral of the Living Pillar (Georgian Orthodox Church)
- Mother's Day (Belarus)
- National Education Day (Poland), formerly Teachers' Day
- Nyerere Day (Tanzania)
- Second Revolution Day (Yemen)
- World Standards Day (International)
What Happened on 14th October?
- World War II: Prisoners at Sobibor extermination camp covertly assassinate most of the on-duty SS officers and then stage a mass breakout. (1943)
- World War II: The United States Eighth Air Force loses 60 of 291 B-17 Flying Fortresses during the Second Raid on Schweinfurt. (1943)
- World War II: The Second Philippine Republic, a puppet state of Japan, is inaugurated with José P. Laurel as its president. (1943)
- World War II: The German submarine U-69 (1940) sinks the Canadian passenger ferry SS Caribou approximately 20 nautical miles southwest of Port aux Basques, Newfoundland. (1942)
- World War II: The Balham underground station disaster kills sixty-six people during the London Blitz. (1940)
- World War II: The German submarine U-47 sinks the British battleship HMS Royal Oak within her harbour at Scapa Flow, Scotland. (1939)