Thursday, 19th September 1940 in London
Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! It's International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Explore 49 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 11°C and 17°C. Tonight's moon is in its new moon phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Virgo. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Thursday, 19th September in London, GB.
On Thursday, 19th September 1940, London experienced drizzly conditions as the city endured the ongoing bombardment of the Second World War. The date holds significant historical weight, coinciding with pivotal moments in global affairs across multiple centuries. Polish resistance leader Witold Pilecki made a remarkable decision on this very day, allowing himself to be captured by German forces so he could be sent to Auschwitz and gather intelligence from within the concentration camp, a mission that would define his wartime legacy. Earlier in the twentieth century, on 19th September 1970, the first Glastonbury Festival was held at Michael Eavis's farm in Glastonbury, England, establishing what would become one of the world's most renowned music and arts events.
London, the capital of the United Kingdom, served as the centre of British resistance during this period of the Second World War. The city had already experienced months of intensive aerial bombardment and would continue to face threats throughout the conflict. The drizzly weather on this September day was characteristic of the British autumn, providing some respite from the clear skies that often accompanied German air raids.
The astrological conditions on this date placed individuals born that day under the Virgo zodiac sign, while the moon entered its new moon phase. DayAtlas provides comprehensive historical information for any date and location, displaying weather conditions, notable events, and records of significant births and deaths that occurred on specific days throughout history.
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What the Weather Had in Store for London on 19th September 1940
Mistakes are rehearsals for wisdom, not final acts of failure.
Fortune of the Day
19th September in the Stars – Star Sign Virgo
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on September 19th blend sharp analytical thinking with practical groundedness. Saturn's influence in their decan adds remarkable discipline and structured reasoning, setting them apart from typical Virgos. Their minds are methodical, their actions carefully calculated and purposeful.
Strengths & Weaknesses September 19th natives excel through reliability, precision, and organizational mastery. Their strength lies in systematic planning and thoughtful problem-solving. However, perfectionism and over-analysis can create paralysis; they need to embrace imperfection and practice self-compassion more freely.
Love Those born this day seek partners who respect their intellect and provide emotional stability. They express affection through practical support and thoughtful details, though they may seem reserved initially. Deep bonds form when they soften criticism and embrace vulnerability with genuine openness.
Caree & Finance Their Saturn influences predispose them toward leadership, project management, and analytical careers. Financial security matters greatly; they plan prudently and save consistently. Their critical nature suits quality control, consulting, or scientific research work exceptionally well.
Health These natives risk overextension through mental intensity and perfectionism. Regular breaks, movement, and relaxation techniques are essential. They should eat digestive-friendly foods and discharge nervous tension through established routines and grounding practices.
That night, the moon was in its new moon phase.
Chinese year of the Dragon (Metal).
Fun Facts About 19th September
Name Days in Your Language: Monroe, Morgan, Morgann, Morganna, Morganne, Precious, Sawyer
Someone born on this day in 1940 would be 85 years old today — just 31,259 days into life, which is roughly 750,236 hours, 45,014,178 minutes, or 2,700,850,696 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 263. day of the year.
As this is a leap year, there are 103 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 38 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 19th September
- André Boudrias, Canadian ice hockey player and coach (died 2019) (1943)
- Joe Morgan, American baseball player (died 2020) (1943)
- Umberto Bossi, Italian politician (died 2026) (1941)
- Jim Fox, English pentathlete (died 2023) (1941)
- Mariangela Melato, Italian actress (died 2013) (1941)
- Zandra Rhodes, English fashion designer, founded the Fashion and Textile Museum (1940)
- Carl Schultz, Hungarian-Australian director, producer, and screenwriter (1939)
- Abner Haynes, American football player (died 2024) (1937)
Lives Remembered on 19th September
- John Challis, English actor (born 1942) (2021)
- Jimmy Greaves, English footballer (born 1940) (2021)
- Dinky Soliman, Filipino politician, 23rd Secretary of Social Welfare and Development (born 1953) (2021)
- John Turner, Canadian politician, 17th Prime Minister of Canada (born 1929) (2020)
- Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisian soldier, politician, 2nd President of Tunisia (born 1936) (2019)
- Arthur Mitchell, American ballet dancer & choreographer (born 1934) (2018)
- Bernard "Bunny" Carr, Irish TV presenter (born 1927) (2018)
- Leonid Kharitonov, Russian bass-baritone (born 1933) (2017)
- Jackie Collins, English novelist (born 1937) (2015)
- Todd Ewen, Canadian ice hockey player and coach (born 1966) (2015)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 19th September
- Christian feast day: Alonso de Orozco Mena
- Christian feast day: Emilie de Rodat
- Christian feast day: Goeric of Metz
- Christian feast day: Januarius (Western Christianity) Feast of San Gennaro
- Christian feast day: Our Lady of La Salette
- Christian feast day: Theodore of Tarsus (Anglican Communion, Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church)
- Christian feast day: Trophimus, Sabbatius, and Dorymedon
- Christian feast day: September 19 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Armed Forces Day (Chile)
- Day of the First Public Appearance of the Slovak National Council
- Second day of Fiestas Patrias (Chile)
- Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Saint Kitts and Nevis from the United Kingdom in 1983.
- International Talk Like a Pirate Day
What Happened on 19th September?
- Azerbaijan launches a military offensive against the Republic of Artsakh in the Nagorno-Karabakh region; this leads to the flight of the Armenian population. (2023)
- The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is held at Westminster Abbey, London. (2022)
- A strong earthquake kills 2 and injures over 30 in Mexico's state of Michoacán. (2022)
- The Cumbre Vieja volcano, on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, erupts. The eruption lasts for almost three months, ending on December 13. (2021)
- The 2017 Puebla earthquake strikes Mexico, causing 370 deaths and over 6,000 injuries, as well as extensive damage. (2017)
- In the wake of a manhunt, the suspect in a series of bombings in New York and New Jersey is apprehended after a shootout with police. (2016)
- Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees surpasses Trevor Hoffman to become Major League Baseball's all-time career saves leader with 602. (2011)
- The leaking oil well in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is sealed. (2010)
- A Learjet 60 carrying musicians Travis Barker and Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein crashes during a rejected takeoff from Colombia Metropolitan Airport in West Columbia, South Carolina, killing four of the six people on board. Barker and Goldstein both survive. (2008)
- The Thai army stages a coup. The Constitution is revoked and martial law is declared. (2006)