diff --git a/docs/release-notes.md b/docs/release-notes.md
index 1a4ff85b9..6002c4d2b 100644
--- a/docs/release-notes.md
+++ b/docs/release-notes.md
@@ -2,6 +2,14 @@
 toc_depth: 2
 ---
 
+## 0.45.0 (December 29, 2024)
+
+#### Removed
+
+* Drop Python 3.8 support [#2823](https://github.com/encode/starlette/pull/2823).
+* Remove `ExceptionMiddleware` import proxy from `starlette.exceptions` module [#2826](https://github.com/encode/starlette/pull/2826).
+* Remove deprecated `WS_1004_NO_STATUS_RCVD` and `WS_1005_ABNORMAL_CLOSURE` [#2827](https://github.com/encode/starlette/pull/2827).
+
 ## 0.44.0 (December 28, 2024)
 
 #### Added
diff --git a/starlette/__init__.py b/starlette/__init__.py
index 1b33897fb..4d8afa5ba 100644
--- a/starlette/__init__.py
+++ b/starlette/__init__.py
@@ -1 +1 @@
-__version__ = "0.44.0"
+__version__ = "0.45.0"