Sunday, 17th January 1960 in Berlin
Welcome to your daily snapshot of Berlin! Explore 60 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 snowy with temperatures between -10°C and -2°C. Tonight's moon is in its waxing crescent phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Capricorn. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Sunday, 17th January in Berlin, DE.
On 17 January 1960, Berlin experienced snowy conditions as winter gripped the divided city. The German capital, located in the heart of Cold War tensions, was split between East and West sectors, each representing fundamentally different political systems. The weather that day reflected the harsh climate characteristic of Berlin's continental location. The date fell under the zodiac sign of Capricorn, whilst the moon was in its waxing crescent phase.
Throughout history, 17 January has witnessed significant events that shaped global affairs. In 1945, Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, who had saved thousands of Jews from the Holocaust, was taken into Soviet custody during the Siege of Budapest and was never seen in public again. His disappearance remains one of history's most compelling mysteries. That same year, Australian troops advanced along the northern part of Bougainville Island and began fighting Japanese forces in the Battle of Tsimba Ridge, demonstrating the scope of World War II's Pacific theatre. More recently, the year 2002 marked a catastrophic natural disaster when Mount Nyiragongo, a volcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, began an eruption that killed hundreds and left approximately 120,000 people homeless in the nearby town of Goma.
The historical record of this date reveals how major turning points have intersected with ordinary days across centuries and continents. Events ranging from political upheaval to military campaigns to natural calamities have occurred on this calendar date, each leaving indelible marks on history and collective memory. DayAtlas provides users with weather information for any historical date and location, alongside comprehensive records of significant events, famous births and deaths. This enables researchers, historians and curious individuals to explore the context and conditions surrounding pivotal moments in human history.
Find out what's happening today in Berlin.
What the Weather Had in Store for Berlin on 17th January 1960
Sorrow teaches what joy cannot whisper.
Fortune of the Day
17th January in the Stars – Star Sign Pisces
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on 17th January blend typical Capricorn ambition with unexpected grace thanks to Venus influence. They appear reserved and structured, yet possess subtle emotional depth and harmony-seeking nature. This combination creates thoughtful achievers with quiet artistic sensibility.
Strengths & Weaknesses Their discipline and dependability are admirable; they complete long-term projects with remarkable patience. However, they tend toward self-criticism and can appear overly serious. Their capacity to express joy could be more visible.
Love In relationships, these individuals offer unwavering loyalty and deep feeling revealed gradually over time. Venus influence grants them charm and sensuality as trust develops. They value partners who provide stability and authenticity.
Caree & Finance Professional ambition drives them toward positions of responsibility and financial security. Money management is instinctive; they systematically build wealth. Creative or interpersonal roles naturally activate their Venus dimension.
Health These natives risk overwork and should prioritize regular relaxation and downtime. Physical constitution is robust, yet emotional stress relief through movement or art proves beneficial. Balance between duty and pleasure is vital for wellbeing.
That night, the moon was in its waxing crescent phase.
Chinese year of the Pig (Earth).
Fun Facts About 17th January
Name Days in Your Language: Anthony, Antoine, Antoinette, Anton, Antonia, Antonio, Antony, Antwan, Ben, Benita, Benito, Benjamin, Bennie, Benny, Toni, Tony
Someone born on this day in 1960 would be 66 years old today — just 24,188 days into life, which is roughly 580,522 hours, 34,831,373 minutes, or 2,089,882,421 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 17. day of the year.
As this is a leap year, there are 349 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 2 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 17th January
- Colin Gordon, English footballer, agent, manager and chief executive (1963)
- Kai Hansen, German singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer (1963)
- Jun Azumi, Japanese broadcaster and politician, 46th Japanese Minister of Finance (1962)
- Jim Carrey, Canadian-American actor, comedian, and producer (1962)
- Sebastian Junger, American journalist and author (1962)
- Denis O'Hare, American actor and singer (1962)
- Brian Helgeland, American director, producer, and screenwriter (1961)
- John Crawford, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (1960)
- Chili Davis, Jamaican-American baseball player and coach (1960)
- Susanna Hoffs, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actress (1959)
Lives Remembered on 17th January
- Didier Guillaume, French politician, 25th Minister of State of Monaco (born 1959) (2025)
- Jules Feiffer, American cartoonist, playwright, screenwriter, and educator (born 1929) (2025)
- Punsalmaagiin Ochirbat, Mongolian politician, 1st President of Mongolia (born 1942) (2025)
- Denis Law, Scottish footballer (born 1940) (2025)
- Lucile Randon, French supercentenarian (born 1904) (2023)
- Birju Maharaj, Indian dancer (born 1937) (2022)
- Rasheed Naz, Pakistani film and television actor (born 1948) (2021)
- Derek Fowlds, British actor (born1937) (2020)
- S. Balakrishnan, Malayalam movie composer (born 1948) (2019)
- Tirrel Burton, American football player and coach (born 1929) (2017)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 17th January
- Christian feast day: Anthony the Great
- Christian feast day: Blessed Angelo Paoli
- Christian feast day: Blessed Gamelbert of Michaelsbuch
- Christian feast day: Charles Gore (Church of England)
- Christian feast day: Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo (one of Saints of the Cristero War)
- Christian feast day: Mildgyth
- Christian feast day: Our Lady of Pontmain
- Christian feast day: Sulpitius the Pious
- Christian feast day: January 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- National Day (Menorca, Spain)
- The opening ceremony of Patras Carnival, celebrated until Clean Monday. (Patras, Greece)
What Happened on 17th January?
- Indonesia Air Transport ATR 42 crashed near Mount Bulusaraung in South Sulawesi, after losing contact en route to Makassar. (2026)
- An avalanche strikes Nyingchi, Tibet, killing 28 people. (2023)
- The search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is announced to be suspended. (2017)
- President Barack Obama announces the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, an agreement intended to limit Iran's nuclear program. (2016)
- Former cyclist Lance Armstrong confesses to his doping in an airing of Oprah's Next Chapter. (2013)
- Shahzad Luqman is murdered by members of Golden Dawn in Petralona, Athens, leading the creation of new measures to combat race-based attacks in Greece. (2013)
- Rioting begins between Muslim and Christian groups in Jos, Nigeria, results in at least 200 deaths. (2010)
- British Airways Flight 38 crashes short of the runway at Heathrow Airport, injuring 47. (2008)
- The Doomsday Clock is set to five minutes to midnight in response to North Korea's nuclear testing. (2007)
- Mount Nyiragongo erupts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, displacing an estimated 400,000 people. (2002)