Friday, 23rd February 1945 in Berlin
Welcome to your daily snapshot of Berlin! Explore 66 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 3°C and 5°C. Tonight's moon is in its waning crescent phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Pisces. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Friday, 23rd February in Berlin, DE.
Berlin, the capital of Germany, lies on the Spree River in the northeastern part of the country and has served as a major cultural and political centre for centuries. The city experienced drizzly conditions on 23 February 1945, with temperatures reflecting the winter season typical of this period in central Europe.
On this date in history, significant military operations were underway across Europe during the final months of the Second World War. An Allied bombing run on Pforzheim, Germany, killed approximately 31 percent of the city's population and destroyed about 83 percent of its buildings, one of the most devastating raids of the conflict. Meanwhile, American photographer Joe Rosenthal captured the iconic image of Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima during the Battle of Iwo Jima, a photograph that would win the Pulitzer Prize and later be reproduced on the Marine Corps War Memorial.
Those born on this date fall under the zodiac sign of Pisces, the twelfth astrological sign. The moon was in its waning crescent phase, visible only as a thin sliver in the night sky as it moved towards the new moon. These astronomical conditions characterised the evening sky above Berlin during this pivotal moment in world history.
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Find out what's happening today in Berlin.
What the Weather Had in Store for Berlin on 23rd February 1945
The unexpected teaches what planning never could.
Fortune of the Day
23rd February in the Stars – Star Sign Pisces
Personality Profile
Personality People born on February 23rd blend Pisces' gentle empathy with Pluto's transformative power, creating intuitive depth uncommon in their sign. These individuals are drawn to uncovering hidden truths and psychological mysteries, both internally and in others. Their dreams aren't escapes but catalysts for profound personal change.
Strengths & Weaknesses Their greatest strength is intuitive wisdom and emotional healing ability that impacts others deeply. However, they risk sinking into melancholy or becoming manipulative when Pluto's intensity dominates. Balancing surrender with necessary transformation remains their ongoing work.
Love In relationships, they seek transformative, soul-level connections rather than light romance. They love intensely and expect partners to grow emotionally alongside them. Partners value their loyalty but must embrace their need for psychological depth and honesty.
Caree & Finance These individuals thrive in careers blending creativity with depth psychology—therapy, art, research, or spirituality. Financially generous and sometimes naive, they need clear boundaries and practical systems. Structured planning prevents financial drift despite their visionary instincts.
Health Their sensitivity demands emotional balance through water, creative expression, or meditation. Stress manifests psychosomatically; regular inner cleansing prevents energy stagnation. Grounding practices—nature, routine, body awareness—anchor them to reality.
That night, the moon was in its waning crescent phase.
Chinese year of the Rooster (Wood).
Fun Facts About 23rd February
Name Days in Your Language: Boswell, Gloria, Gloriana, Glory, Reilley, Riley, Rylan, Rylee, Ryleigh, Ryley, Rylie
Someone born on this day in 1945 would be 81 years old today — just 29,627 days into life, which is roughly 711,049 hours, 42,662,992 minutes, or 2,559,779,536 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 54. day of the year.
There are 311 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 8 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 23rd February
- Bill Alexander, English director and producer (1948)
- Trevor Cherry, English footballer (died 2020) (1948)
- Steve Priest, English singer-songwriter and bass player (died 2020) (1948)
- Pia Kjærsgaard, Danish politician, Speaker of the Danish Parliament (1947)
- Anton Mosimann, Swiss chef and author (1947)
- Rusty Young, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (died 2021) (1946)
- Allan Boesak, South African cleric and politician (1945)
- Bernard Cornwell, English author and educator (1944)
- Florian Fricke, German keyboard player and composer (died 2001) (1944)
- Johnny Winter, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer (died 2014) (1944)
Lives Remembered on 23rd February
- Larry Dolan, American attorney (born 1931) (2025)
- Chris Jasper, American singer, composer and producer (born 1951) (2025)
- Al Trautwig, American sports commentator (born 1956) (2025)
- Flaco, Eurasian eagle-owl (born 2010) (2024)
- Tony Earl, American politician, 40th Governor of Wisconsin (born 1936) (2023)
- John Motson, English football commentator (born 1945) (2023)
- Ahmed Zaki Yamani, Saudi Arabian politician (born 1930) (2021)
- Katherine Helmond, American actress (born 1929) (2019)
- Peter Lustig, German television host and author (born 1937) (2016)
- Jacqueline Mattson, American baseball player (born 1928) (2016)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 23rd February
- Christian feast day: Polycarp of Smyrna
- Christian feast day: Blessed Rafaela Ybarra de Vilallonga
- Christian feast day: Serenus the Gardener
- Christian feast day: Willigis
- Christian feast day: February 23 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- The Emperor's Birthday, birthday of Naruhito, the current Emperor of Japan (Japan)
- Mashramani-Republic Day (Guyana)
- National Day (Brunei)
- Red Army Day or Day of Soviet Army and Navy in the former Soviet Union, also held in various former Soviet republics: Defender of the Fatherland Day (Russia)
- Red Army Day or Day of Soviet Army and Navy in the former Soviet Union, also held in various former Soviet republics: Defender of the Fatherland and Armed Forces day (Belarus)
- Red Army Day or Day of Soviet Army and Navy in the former Soviet Union, also held in various former Soviet republics: Armed Forces Day (Tajikistan) (Tajikistan)
What Happened on 23rd February?
- International Organization for Standardization is founded. (1947)
- World War II: During the Battle of Iwo Jima, a group of United States Marines reach the top of Mount Suribachi on the island and are photographed raising the American flag. (1945)
- World War II: The 11th Airborne Division, with Filipino guerrillas, free all 2,147 captives of the Los Baños internment camp, in what General Colin Powell later would refer to as "the textbook airborne operation for all ages and all armies". (1945)
- World War II: The capital of the Philippines, Manila, is liberated by combined Filipino and American forces. (1945)
- World War II: Capitulation of German garrison in Poznań. The city is liberated by Soviet and Polish forces. (1945)
- World War II: The German town of Pforzheim is annihilated in a raid by 379 British bombers. (1945)
- American Airlines Flight 009 crashes near Rural Retreat, Virginia, killing 17. (1945)
- The Soviet Union begins the forced deportation of the Chechen and Ingush people from the North Caucasus to Central Asia. (1944)
- The Cavan Orphanage fire kills thirty-five girls and an elderly cook. (1943)
- Greek Resistance: The United Panhellenic Organization of Youth is founded in Greece. (1943)