A dominion was a self-governing country that was part of the British Empire and then the British Commonwealth of Nations, especially in the first half of the 20th century. The dominions in 1926 were Australia, Canada, the Irish Free State, New Zealand, Newfoundland, and South Africa; in 1948 Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and in 1947 India and Pakistan. In the years following the Second World War, the British Empire was refashioned into the more modern (and more post-colonial) Commonwealth of Nations (after which the former dominions were often referred to as the Old Commonwealth).
India gains independence from the United Kingdom and remains a dominion until 1950
A dominion was a self-governing country that was part of the British Empire and then the British Commonwealth of Nations, especially in the first half of the 20th century.
Historical Significance
A dominion was a self-governing country that was part of the British Empire and then the British Commonwealth of Nations, especially in the first half of the 20th century.
Events Before
UN General Assembly meets for the first time in London
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA or GA) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), serving as its main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ.
United Nations Security Council holds its first meeting, at Westminster Central Hall in Westminster, England
United Nations Security Council holds its first meeting, at Westminster Central Hall in Westminster, England
American actor John Wayne (38) weds actress Esperanza Baur (25) in Long Beach, California; divorce in 1954
American actor John Wayne (38) weds actress Esperanza Baur (25) in Long Beach, California; divorce in 1954
NY Giants outfielder Danny Gardella is the first major leaguer to announce he is jumping to the "outlaw" Mexican Basebal
NY Giants outfielder Danny Gardella is the first major leaguer to announce he is jumping to the "outlaw" Mexican Baseball League for contract worth $13,000; triggers US MLB Commissioner Happy Chandler to impose a five-year minimum ban on players who move to the rival league
General Juan Perón is first elected President of Argentina
Juan Domingo Perón was an Argentine military officer and politician who was the 29th and 40th president of Argentina, serving from 1946 to his overthrow in 1955, and from 1973 to 1974.
Events After
25 states merge under the Government of Orissa
25 states merge under the Government of Orissa
Mahatma Gandhi begins his final fast
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948 at the age of 78 in the compound of The Birla House (now Gandhi Smriti), a large mansion in central New Delhi.
Mahatma Gandhi is assassinated in the garden of the New Delhi home he is visiting by Hindu extremist Nathuram Godse
Mahatma Gandhi is assassinated in the garden of the New Delhi home he is visiting by Hindu extremist Nathuram Godse
American comic Dick Van Dyke (22) weds American girlfriend Margerie Willett (20) on the radio show "Bride and Groom" in
American comic Dick Van Dyke (22) weds American girlfriend Margerie Willett (20) on the radio show "Bride and Groom" in Los Angeles California; divorce in 1984 after a long separation
Iris Apfel (née Barrel) marries Carl Apfel
Iris Apfel (née Barrel) marries Carl Apfel
More from the 1940s
D-Day: The Normandy Landings
Allied forces launch the largest amphibious invasion in history on the beaches of Normandy, France, marking the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation.
wars conflicts
World War II: Representatives of 26 nations at war with the Axis powers sign the Declaration of the United Nations, pled
World War II: Representatives of 26 nations at war with the Axis powers sign the Declaration of the United Nations, pledging to make no separate peace deals
Mahatma Gandhi begins a march for peace in East Bengal
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political thinker who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign…
birth
Omar al-Bashir is born
Omar al-Bashir is born
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on August 15, 1947?
- A dominion was a self-governing country that was part of the British Empire and then the British Commonwealth of Nations, especially in the first half of the 20th century. The dominions in 1926 were Australia, Canada, the Irish Free State, New Zealand, Newfoundland, and South Africa; in 1948 Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and in 1947 India and Pakistan. In the years following the Second World War, the British Empire was refashioned into the more modern (and more post-colonial) Commonwealth of Nations (after which the former dominions were often referred to as the Old Commonwealth).
- Why is India gains independence from the United Kingdom and remains a dominion until... significant?
- A dominion was a self-governing country that was part of the British Empire and then the British Commonwealth of Nations, especially in the first half of the 20th century.