Saturday, 18th August 1956 in Berlin
Welcome to your daily snapshot of Berlin! Explore 51 historical events, birthdays, deaths, and milestones that shaped this day in Berlin. 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 Berlin brings drizzly with temperatures between 13°C and 22°C. Tonight's moon is in its waning crescent phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Leo. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Saturday, 18th August in Berlin, DE.
On Saturday, 18th August 1956, Berlin remained under Allied occupation following the Second World War, a city divided between democratic West and communist East. The drizzly weather that characterised the day reflected the often grey climate of the German capital, which had been partitioned amongst the victorious powers nine years earlier. Two significant historical events mark this date across the European continent. In 1964, Hildegard Trabant, a member of the East German Communist Party, was fatally shot whilst attempting to cross the Berlin Wall, becoming one of many casualties of the divided city. More than two decades earlier, in 1940, the Luftwaffe launched an all-out assault on RAF Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain, with both sides losing more aircraft on this single day than at any other point during the campaign, marking a pivotal moment in the conflict.
The astronomical discoveries of earlier centuries also feature prominently in the historical record for this date. American astronomer Asaph Hall identified Phobos, the larger of Mars's two moons, in 1877, building on his discovery of the smaller moon Deimos just six days prior. These observations represented significant advances in understanding the solar system and remain important milestones in astronomical science.
Those born under the zodiac sign Leo on this date possessed the characteristics traditionally associated with the constellation, whilst the waning crescent moon hung in the sky above Berlin. DayAtlas provides comprehensive information about weather conditions, historical events, notable births and deaths for any date and location, offering users a detailed snapshot of specific days throughout history.
Find out what's happening today in Berlin.
What the Weather Had in Store for Berlin on 18th August 1956
Gold reflects light it did not create.
Fortune of the Day
18th August in the Stars – Star Sign Leo
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on August 18th blend Leo's natural authority with Jupiter's expansive wisdom, creating a rare depth beyond typical lion confidence. They radiate warmth and genuine curiosity about growth, drawing others into their inspiring orbit. Their generosity feels both genuine and grand.
Strengths & Weaknesses These natives excel through creativity, magnanimity, and infectious optimism that motivates teams. Their gift lies in inspiring others and conceiving ambitious visions. However, they risk overcommitting through excessive enthusiasm and sometimes overlook practical details.
Love August 18th individuals love passionately, loyally, and with genuine abundance. They seek relationships offering mutual admiration and intellectual partnership alongside romance. Their dramatic nature requires partners who appreciate intensity and theatrical expression.
Caree & Finance Professionally, these individuals thrive in leadership and creative pursuits where vision matters. Numerology's 8 fuels ambition for wealth and recognition; entrepreneurship suits them naturally. Public roles, entertainment, and executive positions bring fulfillment.
Health Those born this day benefit from vigorous exercise channeling their substantial energy reserves. Consistent physical activity and balanced nutrition stabilize their intense temperament. They need conscious relaxation practices to counteract endless expansion and mental stimulation.
That night, the moon was in its waning crescent phase.
Chinese year of the Monkey (Fire).
Fun Facts About 18th August
Name Days in Your Language: Aileen, Eileen, Elaina, Elaine, Eleanor, Elena, Eliana, Ella, Elle, Ellen, Ellie, Helen, Helena, Iliana, Lena, Leonora, Nell, Nellie, Nelly
Someone born on this day in 1956 would be 69 years old today — just 25,445 days into life, which is roughly 610,688 hours, 36,641,293 minutes, or 2,198,477,614 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 231. day of the year.
As this is a leap year, there are 135 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 33 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 18th August
- Tom Prichard, American wrestler and trainer (1959)
- Didier Auriol, French race car driver (1958)
- Madeleine Stowe, American actress (1958)
- Carole Bouquet, French actress (1957)
- Tan Dun, Chinese composer (1957)
- Denis Leary, American comedian, actor, producer, and screenwriter (1957)
- Ron Strykert, Australian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer (1957)
- John Debney, American composer and conductor (1956)
- Sandeep Patil, Indian cricketer and coach (1956)
- Jon Schwartz, American drummer and producer (1956)
Lives Remembered on 18th August
- Ruth Johnson Colvin, American author and educator, founded ProLiteracy Worldwide (born 1916) (2024)
- Alain Delon, French-Swiss actor (born 1935) (2024)
- Phil Donahue, American talk show host and producer (born 1935) (2024)
- Lolita, the second-oldest orca in captivity (born ca. 1966) (2023)
- Al Quie, American politician, 35th Governor of Minnesota (born 1923) (2023)
- Ben Cross, English stage and film actor (born 1947) (2020)
- Denis Edozie, Nigerian Supreme Court judge (born 1935) (2018)
- Kofi Annan, Ghanaian diplomat and seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations (born 1938) (2018)
- Bruce Forsyth, English television presenter and entertainer (born 1928) (2017)
- Zoe Laskari, Greek actress and beauty pageant winner (born 1944) (2017)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 18th August
- Christian feast day: Agapitus of Palestrina
- Christian feast day: Alberto Hurtado
- Christian feast day: Daig of Inniskeen
- Christian feast day: Evan (or Inan)
- Christian feast day: Fiacre
- Christian feast day: Florus and Laurus
- Christian feast day: Helena of Constantinople (Roman Catholic Church)
- Christian feast day: August 18 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Arbor Day (Pakistan)
- Armed Forces Day (North Macedonia)
- Birthday of Virginia Dare (Roanoke Island)
- Constitution Day (Indonesia)
- Long Tan Day, also called Vietnam Veterans' Day (Australia)
- National Science Day (Thailand)
What Happened on 18th August?
- One hundred activists, officials, and other concerned citizens in Iceland hold a funeral for Okjökull glacier, which has completely melted after having once covered six square miles (15.5 km2). (2019)
- The Turku terror attack occurs in Finland when a knifeman kills two and injures eight. (2017)
- A terrorist attack on Israel's Highway 12 near the Egyptian border kills 16 and injures 40. (2011)
- The President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, resigns under threat of impeachment. (2008)
- War of Afghanistan: The Uzbin Valley ambush occurs. (2008)
- A massive power blackout hits the Indonesian island of Java; affecting almost 100 million people, it is one of the largest and most widespread power outages in history. (2005)
- One-year-old Zachary Turner is murdered in Newfoundland by his mother, who was awarded custody despite facing trial for the murder of Zachary's father. The case was documented in the film Dear Zachary and led to reform of Canada's bail laws. (2003)
- American International Airways Flight 808 crashes at Leeward Point Field at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, injuring the three crew members. (1993)
- Leading presidential hopeful Luis Carlos Galán is assassinated near Bogotá in Colombia. (1989)
- Hurricane Alicia hits the Texas coast, killing 21 people and causing over US$1 billion in damage (1983 dollars). (1983)