Discover what happened on 6 September in Westminster & Pimlico, Britain and the world: First Parliament Act, Blitz bombing raids, Camp David peace talks, South Africa’s referendum, famous birthdays from Jane Addams to Roger Waters, folk traditions and local sayings.

The 6th of September is not just another day in the calendar; it carries moments of reform, conflict and reconciliation. From Pimlico’s neighbourhood shifts to Britain’s wartime memories and global political milestones, this date resonates with stories of resilience and vision. It also marks the birth of iconic leaders, artists and thinkers who shaped entire generations, reports The WP Times.

Westminster & Pimlico

1939 – Pimlico Air Raid Precautions
As London prepared for the looming Blitz, local schools in Pimlico were requisitioned for shelters on 6 September 1939. Neighbours turned basements into communal safe havens. It showed how the Westminster community braced itself for wartime realities only days after war was declared.

1982 – Pimlico Housing Renewal
On 6 September 1982, Westminster Council announced regeneration plans for post-war estates near Churchill Gardens. While controversial at the time, the redevelopment promised modern housing and new public services. It highlighted Pimlico’s ongoing struggle to balance heritage with modernisation.

Britain

1642 – Parliament Act on Raising Troops
On 6 September 1642, during the English Civil War, Parliament authorised the raising of an army under the Earl of Essex. It formalised the split between Crown and Parliament, pushing the kingdom into open conflict.

1940 – Start of the Blitz
On 6 September 1940, Luftwaffe bombers launched heavy raids over London in preparation for what became known as the Blitz. Fires broke out across the East End, and citizens of Westminster and Pimlico soon joined nightly blackouts. The date foreshadowed months of destruction and courage.

1997 – Diana’s Burial at Althorp
One week after her tragic death, on 6 September 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, was buried at her family estate, Althorp. Following the funeral service in Westminster Abbey the previous day, the private burial marked the end of Britain’s collective mourning but left a lasting legacy on national identity.

The World

1978 – Camp David Peace Talks Begin
On 6 September 1978, U.S. President Jimmy Carter brought Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin to Camp David. The talks paved the way for a peace treaty and reshaped Middle Eastern diplomacy.

1989 – South Africa’s Apartheid Referendum Announced
On 6 September 1989, President F.W. de Klerk signalled the start of reforms by announcing a referendum to end apartheid laws. This day became a milestone towards dismantling racial segregation.

2007 – Israeli Airstrike in Syria
On 6 September 2007, Israel carried out Operation Orchard, an airstrike on a suspected nuclear facility in Syria. The secretive event underscored the dangers of nuclear proliferation in volatile regions.

Notable Birthdays on 6 September

  • Jane Addams (1860–1935) – American social reformer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, known as the “mother” of social work.
  • Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. (1888–1969) – U.S. businessman, ambassador, and patriarch of the Kennedy family.
  • Ida Kamińska (1899–1980) – Polish-Jewish actress and theatre director, Oscar nominee and defender of Yiddish culture.
  • Julio Iglesias (1943– ) – Spanish singer with global fame, selling over 300 million records.
  • Roger Waters (1943– ) – English musician, co-founder of Pink Floyd, writer of The Wall and Dark Side of the Moon.
  • Rosie Perez (1964– ) – American actress and activist, known for her outspoken advocacy.
  • Anika Noni Rose (1972– ) – American actress and singer, voice of Disney’s first Black princess in The Princess and the Frog.

Holidays, Angel’s Day & Traditions

  • Catholic feast day: Blessed Claudio Granzotto, patron of artists.
  • Orthodox calendar: Miracle of Archangel Michael at Colossae.
  • Britain: September traditionally marked Harvest Home festivals, often falling around the 6th, with processions and thanksgiving.
  • Weather lore: “Fair September brings good crops; foul September brings early frosts.”

Quotes Connected to 6 September

  • “The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain, until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.” — Jane Addams, born 6 September 1860.
  • “Money is not everything. My ambition was always to be a great singer.” — Julio Iglesias, born 6 September 1943.
  • “We don’t need no education.” — Roger Waters, born 6 September 1943.

Folk Signs and Traditions on 6 September

In Britain and across Europe, the 6th of September was marked by harvest signs and weather lore:

  • “If 6 September is dry and clear, winter will be mild and the apple harvest rich.”
  • “Rain on 6 September means a damp autumn and early frost.”
  • “If cranes or swallows fly south on this date, expect an early winter.”
  • Farmers often gathered apples and pears on this week, bringing baskets into churches for thanksgiving rituals.
  • In Westminster and Pimlico, the early September days were tied to small fairs and back-to-school markets, signalling the shift from summer leisure to autumn routine.

The 6th of September thus reflects moments of war and peace, mourning and hope, culture and protest. From Pimlico shelters to Diana’s burial, from Camp David to Pink Floyd, it shows how one day links local resilience, British history and world diplomacy.

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