Year 1950 in History

The Dutch government raises all wages by a maximum of 5%

Israeli Knesset declares Jerusalem the capital of Israel

The Israeli annexation of East Jerusalem, known to Israelis as the reunification of Jerusalem, refers to the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War, and its…

US President Harry Truman publicly announces support for the development of a hydrogen bomb

Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884 – December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953.

British naturalist and future broadcaster David Attenborough (24) weds British classmate and cook Jane Elizabeth Ebswort

British naturalist and future broadcaster David Attenborough (24) weds British classmate and cook Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel, until her death in 1997

"Your Show of Shows" with Sid Caesar & Imogene Coca premieres on NBC. Writers include Mel Brooks, Neil Simon and Woody A

"Your Show of Shows" with Sid Caesar & Imogene Coca premieres on NBC. Writers include Mel Brooks, Neil Simon and Woody Allen.

Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman (34) divorces Swedish dentist Petter Aron Lindström after 12 years of marriage

FBI starts a public list of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives

Chuck Cooper becomes the 1st African American to be drafted into the NBA (for Boston Celtics)

The Boston Celtics are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern…

American actor Sidney Poitier (23) weds model Juanita Hardy; divorce in 1965

American student, and aspiring actress, Vera Jayne (Palmer) Peers (later known as Jayne Mansfield) (17) weds American st

American student, and aspiring actress, Vera Jayne (Palmer) Peers (later known as Jayne Mansfield) (17) weds American student Paul Mansfield (20), in Fort Worth, Texas; divorce in 1958

American actor Jack Lemmon (25) weds American actress Cynthia Stone (24); divorce in 1956

First-ever race of the Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship is run at Silverstone, England, and won by Giuseppe Farina

First-ever race of the Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship is run at Silverstone, England, and won by Giuseppe Farina of Italy in an Alfa Romeo

North Korea invades South Korea, beginning the Korean War

North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia.

North Korean troops reach Seoul, causing the UN to ask member states to aid South Korea. Harry Truman orders the US Air

North Korean troops reach Seoul, causing the UN to ask member states to aid South Korea. Harry Truman orders the US Air Force and Navy into the Korean conflict.

Actress Bette Davis (42) divorces artist William Grant Sherry after more than 4 years of marriage

Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress of film, television, and theater.

"Your Hit Parade" premieres on NBC-TV (later CBS) after being broadcast on radio since 1935

"Arthur Murray Party" premieres on ABC TV (later DuMont, CBS, NBC)

Short story writer Dorothy Parker (57) weds screenwriter Alan Campbell (46)

ABC begins broadcasting Saturday morning kids' shows (Animal Clinic and Acrobat Ranch)

First transmission of a TV program from continental Europe airs on the BBC

Giuseppe "Nino" Farina wins the inaugural Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship by winning the Italian Grand Prix at Mon

Giuseppe "Nino" Farina wins the inaugural Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship by winning the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in an Alfa Romeo, finishing three points ahead of Juan Manuel Fangio

Operation Magic Carpet concludes after transporting 45,000 Yemenite Jews to Israel

First Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew (27) weds lawyer Kwa Geok Choo (29) in Singapore

Chinese Communist forces occupy Tibet

The Chinese Civil War was fought between the Kuomintang-led government of the Republic of China and the forces of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Celtics forward Chuck Cooper becomes the first African American to play in the NBA during Boston's 107-84 loss to the Fo

Celtics forward Chuck Cooper becomes the first African American to play in the NBA during Boston's 107-84 loss to the Fort Wayne Pistons; future Hall of Famer Bob Cousy also debuts for the Celtics

UN troops begin an assault intending to end the Korean War by Christmas

Frank Loesser's musical "Guys & Dolls," starring Robert Alda, Vivian Blaine, and Sam Levene, opens at 46th St Theater, N

Frank Loesser's musical "Guys & Dolls," starring Robert Alda, Vivian Blaine, and Sam Levene, opens at 46th St Theater, NYC, and runs for 1,200 performances, winning five Tony Awards

NBA player Bob Cousy (22) weds his college sweetheart Missie Ritterbusch

American child actress Shirley Temple (22) weds 2nd husband US naval officer Charles Alden Black (31), at his parents' h

American child actress Shirley Temple (22) weds 2nd husband US naval officer Charles Alden Black (31), at his parents' home, Del Monte, California

American actor Henry Fonda (45) weds socialite and third wife Susan Blanchard (22) in New York City; divorce in 1956

Red Wings' rookie goalie Terry Sawchuk records his first of 115 career NHL shutouts, as Detroit beats the New York Range

Red Wings' rookie goalie Terry Sawchuk records his first of 115 career NHL shutouts, as Detroit beats the New York Rangers, 1-0 at Madison Square Garden

Belgium, Luxembourg & Netherlands recognize Israel

For most of its history, what is today Belgium was either a part of a larger territory, such as the medieval Carolingian Empire, or was divided into a number of smaller states.

The Great Brinks Robbery - 11 men rob $1.2M cash & $1.5M securities from armored car company Brink's offices in Boston,

The Great Brinks Robbery - 11 men rob $1.2M cash & $1.5M securities from armored car company Brink's offices in Boston, Massachusetts

Christopher Fry's "Venus Observed" premieres in London

Cleveland Indians pitcher Bob Feller, after 15-14 season, takes $20,000 salary cut to $45,000; pay cut is Feller's own s

Cleveland Indians pitcher Bob Feller, after 15-14 season, takes $20,000 salary cut to $45,000; pay cut is Feller's own suggestion

Maiden flight by Canada's Avro Canada CF-100 military plane

NFL Draft: Leon Hart from University of Notre Dame first pick by Detroit Lions

The 1950 NFL draft was held January 20–21, 1950, at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia.

New York jury finds former State Department official Alger Hiss guilty of perjury

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.

3rd edition of Joseph Kane's Famous 1st Facts published

73°F (23°C) highest temperature ever recorded in Cleveland in January

2nd Emmy Awards: Ed Wynn Show & Texaco Star Theater win

Preston Tucker, auto maker, found not guilty of mail fraud

"Robert Montgomery Presents" dramatic anthology premieres on NBC TV

1st broadcast of "What's My Line" on CBS-TV

IV British Empire Games open in Auckland, New Zealand

The 1950 British Empire Games (Maori: 1950 Nga Keemu Emepaea o Ingarangi) were the fourth staging of what is now called the Commonwealth Games.

Georges Bidault forms French government

Georges-Augustin Bidault was a French politician. During World War II, he was active in the French Resistance. After the war, he served as foreign minister and premier on several occasions.

"Rag Mop" by The Ames Brothers hits #1

The Ames Brothers were an American singing quartet, consisting of four siblings from Malden, Massachusetts, who were particularly famous in the 1950s for their traditional pop hits.

Moroney scores cricket twin centuries for Australia at Johannesburg

KENS TV channel 5 in San Antonio, Texas (CBS) begins broadcasting

KENS (channel 5) is a television station in San Antonio, Texas, United States, affiliated with CBS and owned by Tegna Inc.

Longest-running prime-time game show, "What's My Line" begins on CBS

What's My Line? is a panel game show that originally ran in the United States, between 1950 and 1967, on CBS, originally in black and white and later in color, with subsequent American revivals.

Two Long Island Rail Road trains collide head-on, killing 32 near Rockville Centre, Long Island, New York

The Long Island Rail Road (reporting mark LI), or LIRR, is a railroad in the southeastern part of the U.S.

Groundbreaking ceremony held for Mississippi Vocational College (later Mississippi Valley State University)

WOI TV channel 5 in Ames-Des Moines, IA (ABC/PBS) begins broadcasting

Wallace Brockway and Herbert Weinstock's revised and expanded edition of reference book "Men of Music: Their Lives, Time

Wallace Brockway and Herbert Weinstock's revised and expanded edition of reference book "Men of Music: Their Lives, Times and Achievements" is published

Labour wins UK parliamentary election by 5 seats

National-American Football League reverts to calling itself the NFL after 3 months

Silly Putty goes on sale in the US

Ice Pairs Championship at London won by K Kennedy & P Kennedy (USA)

1st woman medical officer assigned to naval vessel (BR Walters)

Belgium votes (58%) for return of King Leopold III

For most of its history, what is today Belgium was either a part of a larger territory, such as the medieval Carolingian Empire, or was divided into a number of smaller states.

NYC hires Dr Wallace E. Howell as its official "rainmaker" to help end a crippling water shortage for the princely sum o

NYC hires Dr Wallace E. Howell as its official "rainmaker" to help end a crippling water shortage for the princely sum of $100 a day [1]

1st annual National Book Awards

CCNY beats Bradley 69-61 for the NIT championship

City College of NY defeats Bradley to win the NIT

A national championship at the highest level of men's college basketball, currently NCAA Division I, is a designation awarded annually to the best college basketball team in the United States.

Bell Telephone Laboratories announces invention of the phototransistor in Murray Hill, New Jersey

WTAR (now WTKR) TV channel 3 in Norfolk, VA (CBS) begins broadcasting

Dirk Stikker becomes chairman of OES

Prague espionage trial against bishops & priests begins

4th Tony Awards: "The Cocktail Party" (play) & "South Pacific" (musical) win

The 4th Annual Tony Awards were held on April 9, 1950, at the Waldorf-Astoria Grand Ballroom in New York City, and broadcast on radio station WOR and the Mutual Network. The host was James Sauter.

1st edition of British comic "Eagle"

Eagle was a British children's comics periodical, first published from 1950 to 1969, and then in a relaunched format from 1982 to 1994.

1st opening night-game, Cards beat Pirates, 4-2

1st Major League Baseball day game completed under lights (Phillies 6, Braves 5)

Independent Republic of South Maluku is declared

The Republic of South Maluku (Indonesian: Republik Maluku Selatan) was an unrecognised Indonesian secessionist movement that claimed the islands of Ambon, Buru, and Seram, which currently make up...

Last horse race at Havre de Grace Track in Md, is run

South Africa passes Group Areas Act segregating races

Group Areas Act was the title of three acts of the Parliament of South Africa enacted under the apartheid government of South Africa.

Gwendolyn Brooks is the first African American awarded the Pulitzer Prize for poetry for "Annie Allen"

Annie Allen is a book of poetry by American author Gwendolyn Brooks that was published by Harper & Brothers in 1949.

Carlo Terron's comedy "Giuditta" premieres in Milan

French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman calls for European community EGKS

1st Netherlands-US telex sent

Belgium mine disaster at Borinage, 39 die

Diner's Club issues its 1st credit cards

Pitts Johnny Hopp goes 6 for 6 including 2 HRs

Adnan Menderes elected Prime Minister of Turkey in the country's first democratic elections [1]

Ali Adnan Ertekin Menderes was a Turkish politician who served as Prime Minister of Turkey between 1950 and 1960.

MLB St. Louis Cardinals baseman Tommy Glaviano makes 3 consecutive errors on grounders

NY Times reports of worlds smallest & dumbest mechanical brain

Vietnamese troops of Ho Chi-Minh attack Cambodia

Celal Bayar elected President of Turkey

Mahmut Celâlettin "Celâl" Bayar (16 May 1883 – 22 August 1986) was a Turkish economist and politician who was the president of Turkey from 1950 to 1960.

Brooklyn Battery Tunnel opens in NYC

The Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, commonly referred to as the Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel, Battery Tunnel or Battery Park Tunnel, is a tolled tunnel in New York City that connects Red Hook in Brooklyn with the...

Bollingen Prize for poetry awarded to Wallace Stevens

The Bollingen Prize for Poetry is a literary honor bestowed on an American poet. Every two years, the award recognizes a poet for best new volume of work or lifetime achievement.

WKZO (now WWMT) TV channel 3 in Kalamazoo, MI (CBS) 1st broadcast

St Louis Browns pitcher Harry Dorish swipes home vs Washington Senators

French expedition reaches top of Himalayan peak of Annapurna in Nepal

The 1950 French Annapurna expedition, led by Maurice Herzog, reached the summit of Annapurna I at 8,091 metres (26,545 ft), the highest peak in the Annapurna Massif.

CVP wins Belgian parliamentary election

US Supreme Court undermines legal foundations of segregation

German DR & Poland sign treaty about Oder-Neisse border

Oder–Neisse line (German: Oder-Neiße-Grenze; Polish: granica na Odrze i Nysie Łużyckiej) is an unofficial term for the modern border between Germany and Poland.

Boston Red Sox rout St Louis Browns, 29-4 at Fenway Park; set 6 MLB records including runs scored and most total bases,

Boston Red Sox rout St Louis Browns, 29-4 at Fenway Park; set 6 MLB records including runs scored and most total bases, 60

Germany doesn't annex Oder-Neissegrens

2 Air France DC-4s crash near Bahrain, about 100 die

South African parliament accept "Groups Area Act"

Dutch police seize condoms

1st kidney transplant (Chicago)

Cleveland Indians score an American League record 14 runs in 1st inning; beat Philadelphia A's, 21-2 at Cleveland Stadiu

Cleveland Indians score an American League record 14 runs in 1st inning; beat Philadelphia A's, 21-2 at Cleveland Stadium

Dutch Air Force base Tjililitan given to Indonesia

Indians' Luke Easter hits longest ball in Cleveland Stadium history, 477 feet, into upper deck, Section 4

French government led by prime Minister Georges Bidault resigns

Israeli airline El Al begins transatlantic service form Israel to New York City's Idlewild Airport

President Gottwald of Czechoslovakia confirms Milada Horakova's death sentence

North Korean forces capture Seoul, South Korea in opening phase of the Korean War

The UN offensive into North Korea was a large-scale offensive in late 1950 by United Nations (UN) forces against North Korean forces during the Korean War. On 27 September near Osan, UN forces coming...

Striker Joe Gaetjens heads US to an upset, 1-0 win over England in a FIFA World Cup group match in Belo Horizonte, Brazi

Striker Joe Gaetjens heads US to an upset, 1-0 win over England in a FIFA World Cup group match in Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Americans next win over England: 1994

US General MacArthur visits front in South Korea, asks for US troops

1st 407 US soldiers flown to South Korea

Boston Braves slugger Sid Gordon ties MLB season grand slam record (4) with a bases loaded hit vs Phillies

Law of Return passes, guarantees all Jews right to live in Israel

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

German DR recognizes Oder-Neisse borders with Poland

The flight and expulsion of Germans from Poland was the largest of a series of flights and expulsions of Germans in Europe during and after World War II.

1st Farnborough airshow held

33.4 cm rainfall at York, Nebraska (state record)

13.15 inches (33.40 cm) of rainfall in York, Nebraska (state 24-hour record)

Hague Council of Annulment convicts German war criminals W Lages, FH Van de Funten and F Fischer to death

R.E. Wayne is awarded the first Distinguished Flying Cross in Korea

FIFA World Cup Final, Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Alcides Ghiggia scores a 79th minute winner as Urugua

FIFA World Cup Final, Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Alcides Ghiggia scores a 79th minute winner as Uruguay defeats Brazil 2-1

Indonesian troops land on Buru, South-Molukka

French/Vietnamese offensive against Viet Minh

The Việt Minh, officially the League for Independence of Vietnam (Vietnamese: Việt Nam Độc lập Đồng minh or Việt Nam Độc lập Đồng minh Hội, chữ Hán: 越南獨立同盟(會), lit. 'Vietnam Independence Alliance';...

Frank Worrell completes 261 v England at Trent Bridge

Trent Bridge Cricket Ground is a cricket ground mostly used for Test, One-Day International and county cricket located in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, England, just across the River Trent from...

V-2/WAC Corporal rocket launch; first launch from Cape Canaveral

The WAC Corporal was the first operational sounding rocket developed in the United States.

Dodgers' Jim Russell is the first to switch-hit home runs twice in a game

The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West Division.

US President Harry Truman promises aid to Taiwan

Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884 – December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953.

Pee Wee Reese hits the 3,000th home run for the Dodgers

American Bowling Congress ends all-white-male rule

Police bar white players Lou Chirban, Stan Mierko, and Frank Dyle from playing in the Negro League

Lusty Song, ridden by Delvin Miller, wins the Hambletonian in Goshen, New York

17th NFL Chicago All-Star Game: All-Stars 17, Philadelphia 7 (88,885 attendees)

First international game by an NFL team, New York Giants beat CFL's Ottawa Rough Riders 20-6 at Ottawa's Lansdowne Stadi

First international game by an NFL team, New York Giants beat CFL's Ottawa Rough Riders 20-6 at Ottawa's Lansdowne Stadium

8.6 Assam-Tibet earthquake kills several thousand people

An earthquake occurred in the province of Sichuan, China at 14:28:01 China Standard Time on May 12, 2008.

West Indies complete historic 3-1 series victory over England

Pee Wee Reese (Dodgers) and Sam Calderone (Giants) hit inside-the-park home runs

Julien Lahaut, the chairman of the Communist Party of Belgium, is assassinated by far-right elements

Abdel Rehim swims across the English Channel in 10 hours and 50 minutes

West Germany and Japan are readmitted to the International Amateur Athletic Federation

Edith Sampson is named the first African American U.S. delegate to the UN

Edith Spurlock Sampson (October 13, 1901 – October 8, 1979) was an American lawyer, diplomat and civil rights advocate known for being the first African American to officially represent the United...

Earle and Roy Mack purchase 54% of the Philadelphia A's from Connie Mack Jr.

Cornelius Alexander McGillicuddy (December 22, 1862 – February 8, 1956), better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball catcher, manager, and team owner.

International Olympic Committee votes to admit West Germany and Japan in 1952

13 North Korean divisions open assault on UN lines

"Beetle Bailey" comic strip debuts in 12 newspapers

Beetle Bailey is an American comic strip created by cartoonist Mort Walker, published since September 4, 1950. It is set on a fictional United States Army post.

38.7 inches (98.3 cm) of rainfall over several days at Yankeetown, Florida (state record)

Knockshinnoch disaster: A coal mine flood traps 129 miners in New Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland; all but thirteen are save

Knockshinnoch disaster: A coal mine flood traps 129 miners in New Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland; all but thirteen are saved over the next two days [1]

First use of TV laugh track by "The Hank McCune Show" in the US

A laugh track (or laughter track) is an audio recording consisting of laughter (and other audience reactions) usually used as a separate soundtrack for comedy productions.

A train crash in Coshocton, Ohio, kills 33

Belgian government dismisses all communist civil servants

Western allies rearm West Germany

West Germany was the common English name for the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) from its formation on 23 May 1949 until its reunification with East Germany on 3 October 1990.

During Korean conflict, UN forces land at Inchon in South Korea

Cleveland Browns (formerly AAFC) play their first NFL game, defeating Philadelphia 35-10

Throughout its history, the National Football League (NFL) and other rival American football leagues have used several different formats to determine their league champions, including a period of...

San Francisco 49ers (formerly AAFC) play their first NFL game and lose 21-17

Throughout its history, the National Football League (NFL) and other rival American football leagues have used several different formats to determine their league champions, including a period of...

Nakagawa Soen, Japanese Zen teacher, receives dharma transmission

European Payment Union forms in Paris

European Union law is a system of supranational laws operating within the 27 member states of the European Union (EU).

George Marshall sworn in as the 3rd Secretary of Defense of the United States

Since the 19th century, the United States government has participated and interfered, both overtly and covertly, in the replacement of many foreign governments.

Canada's first mountain rescue by helicopter of a forestry worker from a Wells Gray Park forestry lookout

A blue moon appears in England due to smoke from the Chinchaga firestorm in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada

Indonesia becomes the 60th member of the UN

Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian and Pacific oceans.

"Tin Pan Alley" last airs on ABC TV

MLB New York Yankees clinch second consecutive pennant under manager Casey Stengel

Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel was an American Major League Baseball right fielder and manager, best known as the manager of the championship New York Yankees of the 1950s and later, the expansion...

first Congress of the International Astronautical Federation opens in Paris

Bob Shaw of the Chicago Cardinals sets an NFL record with 5 touchdown receptions in a 55-13 win against the Baltimore Co

Bob Shaw of the Chicago Cardinals sets an NFL record with 5 touchdown receptions in a 55-13 win against the Baltimore Colts; Cardinals quarterback Jim Hardy throws 6 touchdown passes

Ethel Waters becomes the first Black lead actress on a TV sitcom (Beulah)

Peoples Republic of China government troops enter the autonomous Tibetan region near Chamdo [1]

Tibet ( ) is a region in the western part of East Asia, covering much of the Tibetan Plateau. It is the homeland of the Tibetans.

Cleveland Browns play Pittsburgh for the first time and beat the Steelers 30-17

The History of the Cleveland Browns American football team began in 1944 when taxi-cab magnate Arthur B.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission issues the first license to broadcast television in color, to CBS

Rev Sun Young Moon liberated from Hung Nam prison

Bird Building at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is dedicated in Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County.

LA Rams beat Baltimore Colts 70-27

The 1950 Baltimore Colts season was their 5th & final season as a professional football franchise, their 4th & final season in Baltimore and their only season in the National Football League.

Dutch NSB leader C van Gelderen sentenced to life

Dutch volunteers depart for Korea

Branch Rickey resigns as Brooklyn Dodgers president

Paul Creston's 3rd Symphony, "Three Mysteries," 1st performance with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra

British Chancellor of the Exchequer (Minister of Finance) Stafford Cripps resigns

The chancellor of the exchequer, often abbreviated to chancellor, is a senior minister of the Crown within the Government of the United Kingdom, and the head of His Majesty's Treasury.

David Diamond's 3rd Symphony premieres with the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Charles Munch

82°F highest temperature ever recorded in Cleveland in Nov

The Clover Dairy Company begins testing its first concentrated milk under the Sealtest brand in Wilmington, Delaware

Branch Rickey signs 5-year contract as Vice-President and General Manager of MLB Pittsburgh Pirates

Wesley Branch Rickey (December 20, 1881 – December 9, 1965) was an American baseball player, manager, sports executive, and team owner.

Indonesian troops reconquer Ambon

Cleveland Browns' Tommy James intercepts 3 passes, club record

Thomas Laverne James Jr. (September 16, 1923 – February 7, 2007) was an American professional football player who was a defensive back and punter in the National Football League (NFL) and All-America...

Chinese offensive halts at Chongchon River, North Korea

Carlo Terron's "Processo Agli Innocenti" premieres in Milan

A US aircraft shoots down a North Korean jet in the Korean War, the first jet-to-jet dogfight in history

The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula fought between North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea;...

Boston Brave Sam Jethroe wins NL Rookie of Year

After 9 years, Cleveland Indians fire manager Lou Boudreau

Louis Boudreau (July 17, 1917 – August 10, 2001), nicknamed "Old Shufflefoot", "Handsome Lou", and "the Good Kid", was an American professional baseball player and manager.

The Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibet, refers the Chinese government incursion of Chamdo to the United Nations

Gene Roberts sets NFL NY Giant rushing record (218 yds) vs Chic Cards

General Carlos Delgado Chalbaud, President of Venezuela, is assassinated in Caracas

Carlos Román Delgado Chalbaud (20 January 1909 – 13 November 1950) was a Venezuelan military officer who served as president of Venezuela from 1948 to 1950 as leader of a military junta.

Arthur Dorrington, 1st black man in organized hockey is signed, by Atlantic City Seagulls of Eastern Amateur Hockey Leag

Arthur Dorrington, 1st black man in organized hockey is signed, by Atlantic City Seagulls of Eastern Amateur Hockey League

Egyptian King Faruk demands departure of all British troops

7,021 see Fort Wayne Pistons edge Minneapolis Lakers, 19-18 at Minneapolis Auditorium; lowest ever NBA score of 37 combi

7,021 see Fort Wayne Pistons edge Minneapolis Lakers, 19-18 at Minneapolis Auditorium; lowest ever NBA score of 37 combined points

Howard Swanson's "Short Symphony" premieres

Howard Swanson (August 18, 1907 – November 12, 1978) was an American composer. Swanson studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music and was then taught by Nadia Boulanger in Paris.

UN gives Eritrea to Ethiopia

China enters Korean conflict, sends troops across Yalu River

Red Sox sign shortstop Lou Boudreau as a player to 2-year contract

The National Council of Churches (NCC) is founded in Cleveland, Ohio

The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, usually identified as the National Council of Churches (NCC), is the largest ecumenical body in the United States.

Cleveland Browns last NFL team with no-pass game (beat Philadelphia 13-7)

The 1950 NFL Championship Game was the 18th National Football League (NFL) title game, played on Sunday, December 24 at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. This was the first NFL championship game...

Ralph Bunche (1st black American) presented the Nobel Peace Prize for mediation in Israel

The Nobel Peace Prize (Swedish: Nobels fredspris) is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Alfred Nobel, Swedish inventor and industrialist, along with the prizes in Chemistry,...

Baseball owners vote 9-7 not to renew Commissioner Chandler's contract

16th Heisman Trophy Award: Vic Janowicz, Ohio State (HB)

Baseball owners choose Lou Perini (Braves), Phil Wrigley (Cubs), Del Webb (Yankees), & Ellis Ryan (Indians) to select ne

Baseball owners choose Lou Perini (Braves), Phil Wrigley (Cubs), Del Webb (Yankees), & Ellis Ryan (Indians) to select new commissioner

NYC's Port Authority opens

The 42nd Street–Port Authority Bus Terminal station is an express station on the IND Eighth Avenue Line of the New York City Subway.

2 self-propelled trains of Long Island RR collide, killing 77

Coronation Stone, taken from Scone in Scotland by Edward I in 1296, stolen from Westminster Abbey & smuggled back to Sco

Coronation Stone, taken from Scone in Scotland by Edward I in 1296, stolen from Westminster Abbey & smuggled back to Scotland

Advance units of Chinese Communist forces cross the 38th Parallel into South Korea in preparation for the massive New Ye

Advance units of Chinese Communist forces cross the 38th Parallel into South Korea in preparation for the massive New Year's Offensive that captures Seoul a week later

"Sixty Minute Man" record single released by The Dominoes (Billboard Song of the Year 1951)

An answer song, response song or answer record is a song (usually a recorded track) made in answer to a previous song, normally by another artist.

American thoroughbred jockeys Bill Shoemaker and Joe Culmone end the year tied, leading the nation with record 388 wins

Famous Births

Bob Forsch is born

Bob Forsch, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1950-01-13.

Natalie Cole is born

Natalie Cole, American musician, known for american singer, was born on 1950-02-06. Natalie Maria Cole (February 6, 1950 – December 31, 2015) was an American singer, songwriter, and actress.

Peter Gabriel is born

Peter Gabriel, English musician, known for british musician, was born on 1950-02-13. Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, songwriter, musician, and human rights activist.

Walter Becker is born

Walter Becker, American musician, known for american musician, songwriter, and record producer, was born on 1950-02-20.

Ric Flair is born

Ric Flair, American professional wrestler, known for american professional wrestler, was born on 1950-02-25.

Bernard Arnault is born

Bernard Arnault, French businessman, known for french businessman, was born on 1950-03-05. Bernard Jean Étienne Arnault is a French businessman.

Robbie Coltrane is born

Robbie Coltrane, Scottish actor, known for scottish actor, was born on 1950-03-30.

Jessica Lange is born

Jessica Lange, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1950-04-20. Jessica Phyllis Lange is an American actress and photographer.

António Guterres is born

Tim Russert is born

Tim Russert, American lawyer and tv journalist, known for american lawyer and tv journalist, was born on 1950-05-07.

Billy Joel is born

Billy Joel, American musician, known for american singer, songwriter, and pianist, was born on 1950-05-09. William Martin Joel is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist.

Ashraf Ghani is born

Roger Deakins is born

Hank Williams Jr is born

Hank Williams Jr musician, known for american singer-songwriter and musician, was born on 1950-05-26. Randall Hank Williams, known professionally as Hank Williams Jr.

Ken Follett is born

Ken Follett, Welsh bestseller novelist, known for british bestseller novelist, was born on 1950-06-05.

Lionel Richie is born

Lionel Richie singer, known for american singer, was born on 1950-06-20. Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and television personality.

Elizabeth Warren is born

Elizabeth Warren, American politician, known for american politician, was born on 1950-06-22.

Meryl Streep is born

Meryl Streep, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1950-06-22. Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep is an American actress.

Sunil Gavaskar is born

Sunil Gavaskar, Indian athlete, known for indian cricketer, was born on 1950-07-10.

Dennis Lillee is born

Alan Menken is born

Alan Menken, American composer, known for american composer, was born on 1950-07-22. Alan Irwin Menken is an American composer and conductor.

Maureen McGovern is born

Maureen McGovern, American musician, known for american singer and actress, was born on 1950-07-27.

Shelley Long is born

Shelley Long, American actress and comedian, known for american actress and comedian, was born on 1950-08-23. Shelley Lee Long is an American actress, singer, and comedian.

Richard Gere is born

Richard Gere, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1950-08-31. Richard Tiffany Gere ( GHEER; born August 31, 1949) is an American actor.

Tom Watson is born

Carlos Lehder is born

Carlos Lehder, Colombian colombian drug trafficker, known for colombian drug trafficker, was born on 1950-09-07.

Twiggy is born

Twiggy, English model, actress and singer, known for british model, actress and singer, was born on 1950-09-19.

Bruce Springsteen is born

Bruce Springsteen, American musician, known for american rock musician, was born on 1950-09-23. Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist.

Mike Schmidt is born

Mike Schmidt, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1950-09-27.

Annie Leibovitz is born

Annie Leibovitz, American photographer, known for american photographer, was born on 1950-10-02.

Bill James is born

Sigourney Weaver is born

Sigourney Weaver, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1950-10-08. Susan Alexandra "Sigourney" Weaver is an American actress.

Wendy Wasserstein is born

Wendy Wasserstein, American playwright, known for american playwright, was born on 1950-10-18. Wendy Wasserstein (October 18, 1950 – January 30, 2006) was an American playwright.

Ronald McNair is born

Ronald McNair, American astronaut and physicist, known for american astronaut and physicist, was born on 1950-10-21.

Benjamin Netanyahu is born

Caitlyn Jenner is born

Caitlyn Jenner, American media personality and decathlete, known for american media personality and decathlete, was born on 1950-10-28.

Anna Wintour is born

Anna Wintour, American american media executive, known for british and american media executive, was born on 1950-11-03.

Larry Holmes is born

Larry Holmes, American athlete, known for american boxer, was born on 1950-11-03. Larry Holmes is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1973 to 2002 and was world heavyweight…

Jeff Bridges is born

Jeff Bridges, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1950-12-04. Jeffrey Leon Bridges is an American actor, best known for his leading man roles in film and television.

Tom Waits is born

Tom Waits, American singer, songwriter, composer and actor, known for american singer, songwriter, composer and actor, was born on 1950-12-07.

Tom Kite is born

Nawaz Sharif is born

Sissy Spacek is born

Sissy Spacek, American actress and singer, known for american actress and singer, was born on 1950-12-25. Mary Elizabeth "Sissy" Spacek is an American actress and singer.

Martin McGuinness is born

Martin McGuinness, Irish republican politician and ira leader, known for irish republican politician and ira leader, was born on 1950-05-23.

Notable Deaths

Emil Jannings dies

Emil Jannings, Swiss-born German actor, known for german actor, died on 1950-01-02. Emil Jannings was a Swiss-born German actor who was popular in Hollywood films in the 1920s.

George Orwell dies

George Orwell, English author and journalist, known for english author and journalist, died on 1950-01-21.

Edgar Rice Burroughs dies

Edgar Rice Burroughs, American writer, known for american writer, died on 1950-03-19.

Léon Blum dies

Léon Blum, French politician, known for french politician, died on 1950-03-30. André Léon Blum was a French socialist politician and three-time Prime Minister of France.

Charles R. Drew dies

Charles R. Drew, American surgeon and medical researcher, known for american surgeon and medical researcher, died on 1950-04-01.

Mackenzie King dies

Willis Carrier dies

Willis Carrier, American inventor, known for american inventor, died on 1950-10-07.