Today is a big day for Berlin - January 26, 1244 is the date recorded on the oldest existing document with the name Berlin mentioned in writing: it is a deed signed by Margraves Johann and Otto and by “Provost of Berlin” Symeon in a tax-related dispute between the Margraves and Brandenburgian bishops (who-pays-what-to-whom-and-when were the traditional grounds for such conflicts, and remain so until today).