Year 1948 in History

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

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

Actor Eli Wallach marries actress Anne Jackson

US Supreme Court rules in McCollum v. Board of Education that religious instruction in public schools is unconstitutiona

US Supreme Court rules in McCollum v. Board of Education that religious instruction in public schools is unconstitutional

American musician Nat King Cole (29) divorces dancer Nadine Robinson after 11 years of marriage

Just 11 days after being released from prison, jazz singer Billie Holiday plays in front of a sold-out crowd at Carnegie

Just 11 days after being released from prison, jazz singer Billie Holiday plays in front of a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall, NYC

"Big Bang" theory proposed in scientific journal "Physical Review" by American cosmologists Ralph Alpher, Hans Bethe, an

"Big Bang" theory proposed in scientific journal "Physical Review" by American cosmologists Ralph Alpher, Hans Bethe, and George Gamow

US President Harry Truman signs the Marshall Plan to rebuild war-torn Western Europe after World War II, granting an ini

US President Harry Truman signs the Marshall Plan to rebuild war-torn Western Europe after World War II, granting an initial $5 billion in aid to 16 European countries

World Health Organization is formed by the United Nations

The establishment of the World Health Organization occurred on 7 April 1948, when its new constitution was ratified by a twenty-sixth nation.

Organization for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) forms in Paris

The Committee of European Economic Co-operation (CEEC) was a joint European conference to determine the priorities for the recovery of the European economy after World War II, and to assist in the…

David Ben-Gurion declares Israel independent from British administration, Golda Meir one of the signatories

American dancer and actress Cyd Charisse (26) weds American pop singer Tony Martin (34)

First Chess World Championship since WWII, Russian player Mikhail Botvinnik wins a five-player tournament to begin 24 ye

First Chess World Championship since WWII, Russian player Mikhail Botvinnik wins a five-player tournament to begin 24 years of Soviet dominance

South Africa elects a nationalist government under D. F. Malan with an apartheid policy

General elections were held in South Africa on 26 May 1948. They represented a major turning point in the country's history, as despite receiving just under half of the votes cast, the United Party...

American photographer and future film director Stanley Kubrick (19) weds high school sweetheart Toba Metz; divorce in 19

American photographer and future film director Stanley Kubrick (19) weds high school sweetheart Toba Metz; divorce in 1951

Columbia Records unveils the 33-1/3 rpm LP phonograph record, invented by Peter Carl Goldmark, allowing up to 20 minutes

Columbia Records unveils the 33-1/3 rpm LP phonograph record, invented by Peter Carl Goldmark, allowing up to 20 minutes per side (available in 10 and 12-inch diameters) at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, NYC; over the next decade, its popularity and profitability push the 78 rpm record out of production

Soviet Union blockades West Berlin by stopping access by road, rail and water

The Berlin Blockade (24 June 1948 – 12 May 1949) was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War.

American handheld calculator inventor Jack Kilby (24) weds Barbara Annegers

th anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church is celebrated in Moscow

Professional wrestling premieres on US prime-time TV (DuMont Television Network)

Television is one of the major mass media outlets in the United States. In 2011, 96.7% of households owned television sets; about 114,200,000 American households owned at least one television set...

American aspiring screenwriter Rod Serling (23) weds American college classmate Carol Kramer (19), until his death in 19

American aspiring screenwriter Rod Serling (23) weds American college classmate Carol Kramer (19), until his death in 1975

Dutch super athlete Fanny Blankers-Koen wins the 200 m in 24.4 seconds at the London Olympics, becoming the first woman

Dutch super athlete Fanny Blankers-Koen wins the 200 m in 24.4 seconds at the London Olympics, becoming the first woman to claim three individual track and field gold medals at a Games, having already won the 100 m and 80 m hurdles

ABC enters network TV at 7 pm (WJZ, NY)

William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" directed by and starring Laurence Olivier, opens at Park Avenue Cinema (Best Picture 1949

William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" directed by and starring Laurence Olivier, opens at Park Avenue Cinema (Best Picture 1949)

Earthquake in Ashgabat kills 100,000 in Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic

Fellow students Fidel Castro and Mirta Diaz-Balart marry (divorced 1955)

UN rejects Russian proposal to destroy atomic weapons

Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons. Estimates of Israel's stockpile range from 90 to 400 warheads, and the country is believed to possess a nuclear triad of delivery options: by...

Science fiction pioneering author "Stranger in a Strange Land" Robert A. Heinlein marries 3rd wife Virginia "Ginny" Gers

Science fiction pioneering author "Stranger in a Strange Land" Robert A. Heinlein marries 3rd wife Virginia "Ginny" Gerstenfeld

American farm labor leader Cesar Chavez (21) weds American labor activist Helen Fabela (20) in Reno, Nevada in civil cer

American farm labor leader Cesar Chavez (21) weds American labor activist Helen Fabela (20) in Reno, Nevada in civil ceremony, followed later by a church service in California; marriage lasts until his death in 1993

Mackenzie King retires after 21 years and 154 days as Prime Minister of Canada and is replaced by Louis St. Laurent, who

Mackenzie King retires after 21 years and 154 days as Prime Minister of Canada and is replaced by Louis St. Laurent, who is sworn in as the 12th Prime Minister of Canada

KFC founder Colonel Sanders (58) weds his long-time employee Claudia Price

Burma declares independence from the United Kingdom

Thomas Mantell, a pilot for the Kentucky Air National Guard, crashes while pursuing a supposed UFO

Walter Piston's 3rd Symphony in E, premieres in Boston by the Boston Symphony Orchestra; conducted by Serge Koussevitzky

Walter Piston's 3rd Symphony in E, premieres in Boston by the Boston Symphony Orchestra; conducted by Serge Koussevitzky; wins 1948 Pulitzer Prize

First supermarket in the UK opens: the Co-op, the country's first permanent self-service store, in East London's Manor P

First supermarket in the UK opens: the Co-op, the country's first permanent self-service store, in East London's Manor Park

First country music TV show, "Midwestern Hayride," premieres on WLW-T in Cincinnati, Ohio

Three of the greats of cricket make their debut in a drawn 1st Test match at Bridgetown, Barbados; Sir Clyde Walcott and

Three of the greats of cricket make their debut in a drawn 1st Test match at Bridgetown, Barbados; Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Everton Weekes for the West Indies, and Jim Laker for England

Dutch Liberal Party forms - People's party for Freedom & Democracy (VVD)

The People's Party for Freedom and Democracykspɑrˌtɛi voːr ˈvrɛiɦɛit ɛn deːmoːkra:ˈtsi], VVD) is a centre-right conservative-liberal political party in the Netherlands.

First locomotive to carry 1,000,000 pounds (450,000 kg) operates

A plane crash in the Diablo mountains kills 28 bracero farm workers being sent back to Mexico, inspiring Woodie Guthrie'

A plane crash in the Diablo mountains kills 28 bracero farm workers being sent back to Mexico, inspiring Woodie Guthrie's song "Deportee"

Commissioner Happy Chandler fines the Yankees, Cubs and Phillies $500 each for signing high school players

Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler Sr. (July 14, 1898 – June 15, 1991) was an American politician from Kentucky. He represented Kentucky in the U.S. Senate and served as its 44th and 49th governor.

An unprecedented 3-way tie for the silver medal in the 500m speed skating at the St. Moritz Winter Olympics; Americans R

An unprecedented 3-way tie for the silver medal in the 500m speed skating at the St. Moritz Winter Olympics; Americans Robert Fitzgerald & Ken Bartholomew, and Thomas Byberg of Norway are equal on 43.2s; Finn Helgesen of Norway wins gold, 43.1s

Finland goes 1-2 in the Nordic combined event at the St. Moritz Winter Olympics; Heikki Hasu takes gold ahead of teammat

Finland goes 1-2 in the Nordic combined event at the St. Moritz Winter Olympics; Heikki Hasu takes gold ahead of teammate Martti Huhtala

President Harry Truman urges congress to adopt a civil rights program

Harry S. Truman's tenure as the 33rd president of the United States began on April 12, 1945, upon the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and ended on January 20, 1953.

After winning the men’s downhill, French alpine skier Henri Oreiller takes the combined gold medal at the St. Moritz Win

After winning the men’s downhill, French alpine skier Henri Oreiller takes the combined gold medal at the St. Moritz Winter Olympics; becomes most successful athlete at these Games with a slalom bronze

"Nature of Things" science show premieres on NBC prime time

1st radio-controlled airplane flown

After winning Lake Placid (1932) and Garmisch-Partenkirchen (1936) Olympic ski jumping gold medals, Birger Ruud comes ou

After winning Lake Placid (1932) and Garmisch-Partenkirchen (1936) Olympic ski jumping gold medals, Birger Ruud comes out of retirement to win silver in St. Moritz in a Norwegian medal sweep

Canada beats Switzerland 3-0, to regain the Olympic ice hockey title at the St. Moritz Winter Games; forward Walter Hald

Canada beats Switzerland 3-0, to regain the Olympic ice hockey title at the St. Moritz Winter Games; forward Walter Halder top scores with 29 points in Canada’s 5th Olympic title

WLWT TV channel 5 in Cincinnati, OH (NBC) begins broadcasting

American composer Leroy Anderson completes his orchestral work 'Sleigh Ride' which becomes a worldwide holiday favorite

Billy Griffith scores cricket century on debut Eng v WI, out for 140

1st Lt Nancy Leftenant becomes 1st African American in army nursing corps

Ice Pairs Championship at Davos, Switzerland won by Belgians Micheline Lannoy and Pierre Baugniet

1st newsreel telecast, "20th Century Fox-Movietone News," shown on NBC

Czechoslovakia's non-communist minister resigns

NASCAR is incorporated

The 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series was the 56th season of NASCAR Nextel Cup Series in the United States and the 33rd modern-era Cup series season.

Arabs bomb attack in Jerusalem, 50 die

The Battle for Jerusalem took place during the 1947–1948 civil war phase of the 1947–1949 Palestine war.

Stern-group bomb on Cairo-Haifa train kills 27 British soldiers

US rocket flies record 4800 kph to 126km height

The Dodecanese islands officially become part of Greece again, ending Italian rule

Provisionary Indonesian government installed in Batavia

1st civilian to exceed speed of sound - Herb H Hoover, Edwards Air Force Base, California

Jewish Agency of Jerusalem bombed

From 1944 until 1948, Zionist militias and underground groups—including Haganah, Lehi, and Irgun—carried out a paramilitary campaign against British rule in Mandatory Palestine.

-5°F lowest temperature ever recorded in Cleveland, Ohio in month of March (record tied in 1984)

Freedom Train arrives in San Francisco

France, Great Britain, and Benelux sign Treaty of Brussels

Brussels, officially the Brussels-Capital Region, is a region of Belgium comprising 19 municipalities, including the City of Brussels, which is the capital of Belgium.

Lee Savold KOs Gino Buonvino in 54 seconds at Madison Square Garden, NYC

"Stop the Music" with Bert Parks premieres on ABC radio

British RAF pilot John Cunningham (30) sets world altitude record of 59,430 feet (18,114 metres) flying a de Haviland Va

British RAF pilot John Cunningham (30) sets world altitude record of 59,430 feet (18,114 metres) flying a de Haviland Vampire fighter jet

Drachtster Boys soccer team forms in Drachten, Netherland

US Congress passes Marshall Aid Act to rehabilitate war-torn Europe

The Marshall Plan (officially the European Recovery Program, ERP) was an American initiative enacted in 1948 to provide foreign aid to Western Europe.

WGN TV channel 9 in Chicago, IL (IND) begins broadcasting

A Buddhist monastery burns in Shanghai, China, leaving twenty monks dead

Soen Nakagawa & Nyogen Senzaki (Zen teachers) meet in San Francisco

Massacre at Deir Yassin.

The Deir Yassin massacre took place on April 9, 1948, when Zionist paramilitaries attacked the village of Deir Yassin near Jerusalem, then part of Mandatory Palestine, killing at least 107...

Jewish Hagana repels an Arab attack on Mishmar HaEmek

Hadassah Convoy Massacre: Vehicles bringing Jewish staff and medical supplies to Hadassah Hospital and University on Mou

Hadassah Convoy Massacre: Vehicles bringing Jewish staff and medical supplies to Hadassah Hospital and University on Mount Scopus, Jerusalem attacked by Arab forces; 79 killed by bombs, grenades, and sniper fire

A flash of light is observed in crater Plato on Moon

1st Jewish-Arab military battle, arabs defeated

American Broadcasting Company (ABC) TV network debuts

NYC hikes subway fare from 5 cents to 10 cents

WTVR TV channel 6 in Richmond, VA (CBS) begins broadcasting

Minnesota's first television station, KSTP TV channel 5 (ABC affiliate), aired its 1st broadcast

Arab legion attacks Gesher bridge on Jordan River

The Arab Legion was the police force, then regular army, of the Emirate of Transjordan, a British protectorate, in the early part of the 20th century, and then of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, an...

Organization of American States charter signed at Bogotá, Colombia

The Charter of the Organization of the American States (otherwise known the Charter of the OAS) is a Pan-American treaty that sets out the creation of the Organization of American States.

Glenn Taylor, Idaho Senator, arrested in Birmingham, Alabama, for trying to enter a meeting through a door marked "for N

Glenn Taylor, Idaho Senator, arrested in Birmingham, Alabama, for trying to enter a meeting through a door marked "for Negroes"

1st broadcast of "CBS Evening News" - longest running network news show in the US

Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" is first performed, by the Boston Pops Orchestra, with Arthur Fiedler conducting

"Sleigh Ride" is a light orchestra standard composed by Leroy Anderson, who formed the idea for the piece during a heat wave in July 1947, and finished it in February 1948.

First squadron of jet aircraft boards a carrier

Nazi collaborator V-Mann Antonius van de Waals sentenced to death

1st attack by Egyptian irregular forces at Kfar Darom Israel

Haganah takes control of Safed & port of Haifa

The Battle of Haifa, also known as the Fall of Haifa, and called by the Jewish forces Operation Bi'ur Hametz, was a Haganah operation carried out on 21–22 April 1948 and a major event in the final...

Australia scores 721 runs in one day v Essex, world record

CBS news correspondent George Polk's body is found in Greece

George Washington Polk Jr. (October 17, 1913 – May 9, 1948) was an American journalist for CBS who was murdered during the Greek Civil War in 1948.

Israel liberates Acre, Nebi Yusha & Telel-Kadi

Arab Legion captures fort on Mt Scopus during Arab-Israeli war

Cleveland Indians tie AL record of 18 walks (beat Red Sox 13-4)

The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland.

Entire Hagana-arm forces sworn-in as Israeli soldiers

Arab League of Jordan forces blow up Hurvat Rabbi Yehudah he-Hasid synagogue in Jerusalem, after 2 days of threats

Hank Greenberg buys an interest in the Cleveland Indians baseball team

The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland.

Iraq captures Ge'ulim settlement

A dike along the flooding Columbia River breaks, obliterating Vanport, Oregon within minutes. Fifteen people die and ten

A dike along the flooding Columbia River breaks, obliterating Vanport, Oregon within minutes. Fifteen people die and tens of thousands are left homeless.

Israel & Arabs agree to a cease fire

Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia.

" (5.08 m) Hale telescope dedicated at Palomar Observatory

"(Ghost) Riders in the Sky: A Cowboy Legend" single released by Stan Jones

"Ghost Riders in the Sky" is a country and western song written in 1948 by American songwriter Stan Jones. A number of versions were crossover hits on the pop charts in 1949, the most successful...

Communist complete takeover of Czechoslovakia; President Bernes resigns

WBZ TV channel 4 in Boston, MA (NBC) begins broadcasting

WNAC-TV (channel 7) was a television station in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, owned by RKO General. Originally established in 1948, WNAC-TV signed off for the final time at 1 a.m.

Klemens Gottwald becomes president of Czechoslovakia

First night game at Briggs Stadium, Detroit: Tigers beat Philadelphia A's, 4-1

The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central Division.

American Library Association adopts Library Bill of Rights

The Library Bill of Rights is the American Library Association's statement expressing the rights of library users to intellectual freedom and the expectations the association places on libraries to...

Panama and Costa Rica recognize Israel

As of January 2026, the State of Israel is recognized as a sovereign state by 166 of the other 192 member states of the United Nations, or approximately 86% of all UN members.

1st stored computer program runs on Manchester Mark I at a laboratory in Manchester University, England

A computer is a machine that can be programmed to automatically carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (computation).

US begin airlift “Operation Vittles” to West Berlin

The Berlin Blockade (24 June 1948 – 12 May 1949) was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War.

British begin airlift “Operation Plainfare” to West Berlin

The Berlin Blockade (24 June 1948 – 12 May 1949) was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War.

Cleveland Indians' future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Lemon no-hits Detroit Tigers, 2-0

Robert William Andrew Feller (November 3, 1918 – December 15, 2010), nicknamed "the Heater from Van Meter", "Bullet Bob", and "Rapid Robert", was an American baseball player who was a pitcher for 18...

Kidnapper Caryl Chessman sentenced to death, California; execution doesn't happen until 1960

National Health Service established in the UK; Minister of Health Aneurin Bevan attends ceremony at Park Hospital in Dav

National Health Service established in the UK; Minister of Health Aneurin Bevan attends ceremony at Park Hospital in Davyhulme, Trafford

Lydda Airfield captured by Israeli army

First air bombing of Jerusalem

First jets to fly across Atlantic (six RAF de Havilland Vampires)

The de Havilland DH100 Vampire is a British jet fighter which was developed and manufactured by the de Havilland Aircraft Company.

Alcoholics Anonymous is founded in Britain

Israeli army captures Nazareth

Nazareth is the largest city in the Northern District of Israel. In 2023 its population was 77,208.

Pat Seerey of Chicago White Sox hits 4 HRs in an 11 inning game

French government of Schuman resigns

WSPD TV channel 13 in Toledo, OH (NBC) begins broadcasting

Progressive party convention nominates Henry Wallace for US President

The 1948 Progressive National Convention was held in Philadelphia from July 23 to 25, 1948. The convention ratified the candidacies of former Vice President Henry A.

Four baseball players with the Duluth, Minnesota Dukes (St. Louis Cardinals Class C farm team) die in a crash

Australia set 404 to win against England at Headingley

The Australian cricket team in England in 1948 is famous for being the only Test match team to play an entire tour of England without losing a match.

IG Farben chemical plant explodes in Ludwigshafen, Germany, killing 182

American sprinter Harrison Dillard runs an Olympic record of 10.3 s to defeat countryman Barney Ewell for the 100 m gold

American sprinter Harrison Dillard runs an Olympic record of 10.3 s to defeat countryman Barney Ewell for the 100 m gold medal at the London Olympics

US Air Force Office of Special Investigations is founded

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI or AFOSI) is a U.S. federal law enforcement agency that reports directly to the Secretary of the Air Force. OSI is also a U.S.

Danish swimmer Greta Andersen (1:06.3) touches out American Ann Curtis by 0.2 seconds in the women's 100 m freestyle at

Danish swimmer Greta Andersen (1:06.3) touches out American Ann Curtis by 0.2 seconds in the women's 100 m freestyle at the London Olympics

American divers Vicki Draves, Zoe Ann Olsen and Patsy Elsener go 1-2-3 in a US clean sweep of the medals in the women's

American divers Vicki Draves, Zoe Ann Olsen and Patsy Elsener go 1-2-3 in a US clean sweep of the medals in the women's 3 m springboard at the London Olympics

An American sweep of the medals in the 110 m hurdles at the London Olympics with William Porter taking gold, ahead of Cl

An American sweep of the medals in the 110 m hurdles at the London Olympics with William Porter taking gold, ahead of Clyde Scott and Craig Dixon

Americans Sammy Lee and Bruce Harlan go 1-2 in the 10 m platform diving at the London Olympics

A Swedish 1-2 in the men's 1,500 m at the London Olympics with Henry Eriksson defeating teammate Lennart Strand by 0.6 s

A Swedish 1-2 in the men's 1,500 m at the London Olympics with Henry Eriksson defeating teammate Lennart Strand by 0.6 seconds in a time of 3:49.8

American Alice Coachman becomes the first Black woman from any country to win an Olympic gold medal when she wins the hi

American Alice Coachman becomes the first Black woman from any country to win an Olympic gold medal when she wins the high jump at the London Games

Italian rider Mario Ghella beats Reg Harris of Great Britain for the gold medal in the cycling sprint final at the Londo

Italian rider Mario Ghella beats Reg Harris of Great Britain for the gold medal in the cycling sprint final at the London Olympics

The weightlifting competition at the London Olympics concludes with the US (4) and Egypt (2) dominating, combining to wi

The weightlifting competition at the London Olympics concludes with the US (4) and Egypt (2) dominating, combining to win all 6 gold medals

Cleveland Indians get 29 hits in a 9-inning game

The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland.

Gunnar Gren scores twice as Sweden beats Yugoslavia 3-1 to win the football gold medal at the London Olympics

The Sweden men's national football team (Swedish: Sveriges herrlandslag i fotboll) represents Sweden in men's international football and it is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the...

Republic of Korea (South Korea) is proclaimed (National Day)

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone,...

Arabs blow up the Latrun pumping station in Jerusalem

Alger Hiss denies ever being a Communist agent

Alger Hiss (November 11, 1904 – November 15, 1996) was an American government official who, in 1948, was accused of spying for the Soviet Union in the 1930s.

15th NFL Chicago All-Star Game: Chi Cards 28, All-Stars 0 (101,220 attendees)

Cleveland Indians 47-inning scoreless streak is broken as future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Lemon yields a home r

Cleveland Indians 47-inning scoreless streak is broken as future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Lemon yields a home run to Aaron Robinson in a 3-2 loss to Chicago White Sox

Swedish diplomat Folke Bernadotte of the United Nations asks for aid for fugitives to Palestine

°F (38.89°C) is the highest temperature ever recorded in Cleveland in August

Communist form North China People's Republic

Władysław Gomułka is deposed as General Secretary of the Polish Workers' Party

In France, Robert Schuman becomes President of the Council while being Foreign Minister; as such, he is the negotiator o

In France, Robert Schuman becomes President of the Council while being Foreign Minister; as such, he is the negotiator of the major treaties at the end of World War II

First use of synthetic rubber in asphaltic concrete in Akron, Ohio

The British de Havilland DH 108 fighter flies faster than the speed of sound

Brooklyn Dodger Rex Barney no-hits the NY Giants 2-0

Bijz Criminal Division sentences war criminal Jacob Folks to life imprisonment

Margaret Chase Smith, an American politician (Republican from Maine), is elected senator as the first woman to serve in

Margaret Chase Smith, an American politician (Republican from Maine), is elected senator as the first woman to serve in both houses of the US Congress

F-86 Sabre sets a world aircraft speed record of 1,080 km/h

KCOP TV Channel 13 in Los Angeles/Hollywood, CA (IND) begins broadcasting

Communist Madiun Uprising in Dutch Indies (Muso/Sjarifudin)

Mexican Baseball League is disbanded

Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league in North America composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the...

Braves clinch NL pennant

The 1948 Boston Braves season was the 78th consecutive season of the Major League Baseball franchise, its 73rd in the National League.

Honda Motor Company is founded in Hamamatsu City, Japan

Soichiro Honda (本田宗一郎, Honda Sōichirō; 17 November 1906 – 5 August 1991) was a Japanese engineer and industrialist. In 1948, he established Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Boston Braves win their first NL championship since 1914

The Boston Braves were a Major League Baseball club named in honor of Chief Tamanend that originated in Boston, and played from 1871 to 1952.

WBAP-TV, (NBC affiliate) Fort Worth Texas, begins broadcasting

WBAP (now KXAS) TV channel 5 in Fort Worth-Dallas, Texas (NBC) begins broadcasting

California Supreme Court voids state statute banning interracial marriages in Perez v Sharp case

Perez v. Sharp, also known as Perez v. Lippold or Perez v. Moroney, is a 1948 case decided by the Supreme Court of California in which the court held by a 4–3 majority that the state's ban on...

Columbia University reports the discovery of uranium in the Belgian Congo

Cleveland Indians beat Boston Red Sox, 8 - 3, in a one-game playoff to decide the AL pennant; keys are the pitching of G

Cleveland Indians beat Boston Red Sox, 8 - 3, in a one-game playoff to decide the AL pennant; keys are the pitching of Gene Bearden and hitting of Lou Boudreau

WXYZ TV Channel 7 in Detroit, MI (ABC) begins broadcasting

Batavia lt-governor-general van Mook dismissed

China's Red Army occupies Chinchou in Guangdong

Beersheba is liberated by the Israeli army

The history of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict traces back to the late 19th century when Zionists sought to establish a homeland for the Jewish people in Ottoman-controlled Palestine, a region...

First Arab–Israeli War: Israeli Navy sinks Egyptian Navy flagship 'King Farouk' using explosive-laden motorboat in the M

First Arab–Israeli War: Israeli Navy sinks Egyptian Navy flagship 'King Farouk' using explosive-laden motorboat in the Mediterranean Sea near Gaza

Francis Poulenc's "Sinfonietta" premieres

The Sinfonietta, FP 141, is a work for orchestra by Francis Poulenc. Composed in 1947 on a commission from the BBC, it was first performed in London on 24 October 1948, conducted by Roger Désormière.

Special Council of Annulment convicts writer Friedrich Weinreb for collaboration with the Nazis

Flag of Israel is adopted

The flag of Israel was officially adopted on 28 October 1948. It is a white banner with three blue (tekhelet) symbols: a pair of horizontal tallit-like stripes above and below a centred Star of...

Israeli forces liberate Meron and Gush-Halev

20 people die and 6,000 fall ill due to smog in Donora, Pennsylvania

Mao's Red army conquers Mukden, Manchuria

The Soviet invasion of Manchuria, formally known as the Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation or simply the Manchurian Operation (Маньчжурская операция) and sometimes, mainly in the West, as...

Kleggie Hermsen and Bones McKinney each score 17 points as Washington Capitols beat Philadelphia Warriors, 77-70 at Wash

Kleggie Hermsen and Bones McKinney each score 17 points as Washington Capitols beat Philadelphia Warriors, 77-70 at Washington Coliseum to win first of 15 straight games to start season; best start in NBA history

Britain's House of Commons votes to nationalize steel industry

A US balloon reaches a record height of 42.7 km

Dr Frank G. Back of New York City patents a lens to provide zoom effects

"Bicycle Thieves", Italian film directed by Vittorio De Sica, starring himself and Cesare Zavattini, is released (Honora

"Bicycle Thieves", Italian film directed by Vittorio De Sica, starring himself and Cesare Zavattini, is released (Honorary Academy Award 1950)

16-inch coastal guns removed from Fort Funston, San Francisco

Honda 1st opens in America

Soichiro Honda (本田宗一郎, Honda Sōichirō; 17 November 1906 – 5 August 1991) was a Japanese engineer and industrialist. In 1948, he established Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Edited film serial "Hopalong Cassidy" premieres on TV, later becoming the 1st network western series on NBC

KOB TV Channel 4 in Albuquerque, New Mexico (NBC) begins broadcasting

KOB (channel 4) is a television station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States, affiliated with NBC and owned by Hubbard Broadcasting.

Baseball's Negro National League officially disbands

The Negro leagues were professional baseball leagues primarily in the United States comprising teams of African Americans.

Jericho Congress names Abdullah I of Jordan as the King of Arab Palestine

The region of Palestine is part of the Levant, a land bridge between Africa and Eurasia that has traditionally served as the "crossroads of Western Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Northeast...

"Pumpkin Papers" come to light (claimed to be from Alger Hiss)

SS Kiangya hits mine in Whangpoo River, China, sinks killing 2,750

NY Giant Charley Conerly sets NFL record of 36 pass completions

14th Heisman Trophy Award for US college football awarded to halfback Doak Walker of SMU

UN General Assembly unanimously approves Convention on Genocide

WHEN (now WTVH) TV channel 5 in Syracuse, NY (CBS) begins broadcasting

Malayan Emergency: Batang Kali Massacre - 14 members of the Scots Guards stationed in Malaysia allegedly massacre 24 una

Malayan Emergency: Batang Kali Massacre - 14 members of the Scots Guards stationed in Malaysia allegedly massacre 24 unarmed civilians and set fire to the village.

Former state department official Alger Hiss indicted in NYC for perjury

Indonesia begins its 2nd political election

2nd political action of Java/Sumatra

Second Chamber accept 2nd Police Action in Indonesia

NFL Draft: University of Pennsylvania linebacker/center Chuck Bednarik is selected first by Philadelphia Eagles

Charles Philip Bednarik (May 1, 1925 – March 21, 2015), nicknamed "Concrete Charlie", was an American professional football linebacker and center who played in the National Football League (NFL).

KPIX TV channel 5 in San Francisco, California (CBS) begins broadcasting

First US completely solar heated house is occupied in Dover, Massachusetts

Hungarian cardinal József Mindszenty arrested

József Mindszenty was a Hungarian cardinal of the Catholic Church who served as Archbishop of Esztergom and leader of the Catholic Church in Hungary from 1945 to 1973.

DC-3 airliner NC16002 disappears 50 miles south of Miami, Florida

The disappearance of a Douglas DST airliner, registered NC16002, occurred on the night of 28 December 1948 near the end of a scheduled flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Miami, Florida.

Canada recognizes Israel

As of January 2026, the State of Israel is recognized as a sovereign state by 166 of the other 192 member states of the United Nations, or approximately 86% of all UN members.

Dutch police actions up Java gone on strike

Famous Births

Donald Fagen is born

Donald Fagen, American musician, known for american musician, was born on 1948-01-10.

Carl Weathers is born

Carl Weathers, American actor and football player, known for american actor and football player, was born on 1948-01-14.

John Carpenter is born

John Carpenter, American filmmaker, known for american filmmaker, was born on 1948-01-16. John Howard Carpenter is an American filmmaker, composer, and actor.

Charles Taylor is born

Rick James is born

Rick James musician, known for american musician, was born on 1948-02-01. James Ambrose Johnson Jr.

Ina Garten is born

Ina Garten, American television cook, known for american television cook, was born on 1948-02-02. Ina Rosenberg Garten ( EYE-nə; born February 2, 1948) is an American television cook and author.

Alice Cooper is born

Alice Cooper, American musician, known for american rock singer, was born on 1948-02-04. Alice Cooper is an American singer and songwriter.

Edward James Olmos is born

Edward James Olmos, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1948-02-24. Edward James Olmos is a Mexican-American actor and director.

Carole Bayer Sager is born

Mitt Romney is born

Mitt Romney, American politician and businessman, known for american politician and businessman, was born on 1948-03-12.

Glenn Close is born

Glenn Close, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1948-03-19. Glenn Close is an American actress.

James Patterson is born

James Patterson, American author, known for american author, was born on 1948-03-22. James Brendan Patterson is an American author.

Alan Sugar is born

Alan Sugar, British athlete, known for british businessman and media personality, was born on 1948-03-24. Alan Michael Sugar, Baron Sugar is a British businessman and television personality.

Elton John is born

Elton John, British musician, known for british musician and songwriter, was born on 1948-03-25. Sir Elton Hercules John is a British singer, songwriter and pianist.

Emmylou Harris is born

Emmylou Harris, American musician, known for american singer, songwriter, and musician, was born on 1948-04-02. Emmylou Harris is an American singer, songwriter, musician, bandleader, and activist.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is born

Steve Howe is born

Steve Howe, English musician, known for english guitarist, was born on 1948-04-08.

David Letterman is born

David Letterman, American comedian and television host, known for american comedian and television host, was born on 1948-04-12.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is born

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, American athlete, known for american basketball player, was born on 1948-04-16. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American former basketball player.

James Woods is born

James Woods, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1948-04-18. James Howard Woods is an American actor.

Iggy Pop is born

Iggy Pop musician, known for american rock musician, was born on 1948-04-21. James Newell Osterberg Jr., known professionally as Iggy Pop, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor who…

Richard Jenkins is born

Richard Jenkins, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1948-05-04. Richard Dale Jenkins is an American actor.

John Bonham is born

John Bonham, English musician, known for english drummer, was born on 1948-05-31. John Henry Bonham (31 May 1948 – 25 September 1980) was an English musician who was the drummer of the rock band Led…

Salman Rushdie is born

Salman Rushdie, American indian-british-american novelist, known for indian-british-american novelist, was born on 1948-06-19.

Shirin Ebadi is born

Shirin Ebadi, Iranian iranian-british lawyer, activist, known for iranian-british lawyer, activist, was born on 1948-06-21.

Mick Fleetwood is born

Mick Fleetwood, English musician, known for british musician and actor, was born on 1948-06-24. Michael John Kells Fleetwood is an English musician, songwriter and actor.

Larry David is born

Larry David, American comedian, writer and actor, known for american comedian, writer and actor, was born on 1948-07-02.

Arlo Guthrie is born

Arlo Guthrie, American musician, known for american folk singer, was born on 1948-07-10. Arlo Davy Guthrie is an American folk singer-songwriter.

Camilla Parker Bowles is born

Brian May is born

Brian May, English musician, known for english musician, was born on 1948-07-19. Sir Brian Harold May is an English musician, animal welfare activist, and astrophysicist.

Carlos Santana is born

Carlos Santana, American musician, known for american guitarist, was born on 1948-07-20.

Zaheer Abbas is born

Zaheer Abbas, Pakistani athlete, known for icc president & pakistani cricketer, was born on 1948-07-24.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is born

Arnold Schwarzenegger, American american actor and politician, known for austrian and american actor and politician, was born on 1948-07-30.

Danielle Steel is born

Danielle Steel, American author, known for american author, was born on 1948-08-14. Danielle Fernandes Dominique Schuelein-Steel is an American writer best known for her romance novels.

Barbara Bach is born

Mario Draghi is born

Jane Curtin is born

Jane Curtin, American actress and comedian, known for american actress and comedian, was born on 1948-09-06. Jane Therese Curtin is an American actress and comedian.

Larry Nelson is born

Sam Neill is born

Sam Neill, New Zealand zealand actor, known for new zealand actor, was born on 1948-09-14. Sir Nigel John Dermot "Sam" Neill is a New Zealand actor.

Stephen King is born

Stephen King, American author, known for american author, was born on 1948-09-21. Stephen Edwin King is an American author.

Sheikh Hasina is born

Peter Blake is born

Johnny Ramone is born

Johnny Ramone, American musician, known for american guitarist, was born on 1948-10-08.

Kevin Kline is born

Kevin Kline, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1948-10-24. Kevin Delaney Kline is an American actor.

Hillary Clinton is born

Hillary Clinton, American politician and diplomat, known for american politician and diplomat, was born on 1948-10-26. Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is an American politician, lawyer, and diplomat.

Richard Dreyfuss is born

Richard Dreyfuss, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1948-10-29. Richard Stephen Dreyfuss ( DRY-fəs; né Dreyfus; born October 29, 1947) is an American actor.

David Mamet is born

David Mamet, American playwright, author, and filmmaker, known for american playwright, author, and filmmaker, was born on 1948-11-30.

Geoffrey Hinton is born

Geoffrey Hinton, British british-canadian computer scientist, known for british-canadian computer scientist, was born on 1948-12-06.

Johnny Bench is born

Johnny Bench, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1948-12-07. Johnny Lee Bench is an American former professional baseball player.

Jimmy Lai is born

Jimmy Lai, Chinese hong kong businessman and activist, known for hong kong businessman and activist, was born on 1948-12-08.

Dilma Rousseff is born

Bill Rodgers is born

Donna Summer is born

Donna Summer, American musician, known for american singer, was born on 1948-12-31.

Kim Campbell is born

Notable Deaths

Mahatma Gandhi dies

Mahatma Gandhi, British independence activist, known for indian independence activist, died on 1948-01-30.

John J. Pershing dies

John J. Pershing, American army officer, known for american army officer, died on 1948-07-15.

Edvard Beneš dies

Edvard Beneš, Czech czechoslovak politician, known for czechoslovak politician, died on 1948-09-03.