The National Basketball Association (NBA) is founded.
Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering, later renamed to Sony, was founded with approximately 20 employees.
The first commercial helicopter, Sikorsky S51, had its first test flight.
Inventor Percy L. Spencer patented the Microwave Oven.
US bomber plane crashed into the Empire State Building in New York City, and Lou Oliver survived a 75-story drop in an elevator.
Shareholders of The Swallow Sidecar Company agreed to change its company name to Jaguar Cars Limited.
Billboard started publishing the top album charts list with the King Cole Trio as the first #1.
A circus performer patented the modern trampoline.
Walt Disney released '3 Caballeros' in the United States.
Major Glenn Miller, musician, and composer, disappeared over the English Channel during a flight.
The Junkers Ju 287, the first jet with forward-swept wings, made its first flight.
Anne Frank wrote her last diary entry.
Anne Frank is captured.
Alaska Airlines started operating.
Going My Way, starring Bing Crosby, premiered in New York.
Future Pope John Paul II was almost killed by a Nazi truck in Krakow, Poland.
American movie studio executives allowed the Office of War Information to review their scripts.
"Casablanca" premieres in New York.
The American drama movie 'Now, Voyager' premiered in New York City, US.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress flies for the first time.
The popular children's book 'Five on a Treasure Island' featuring the 'Famous Five,' written by Enid Blyton, was published.
Anne Frank received her famous diary.
Bing Crosby records White Christmas.
The comic book 'Archie' was first published.
Industrialist Henry Ford's method to construct auto bodies from plastic was patented.
Pan American Airlines completed its first round the world commercial trip.
Tweety Bird makes its debut.
Walt Disney's animated Dumbo was released in New York City, New York, US.
'The Midnight Snack' cartoon was released, making it Tom and Jerry's very first appearance.
The US aired its first-ever TV commercial.
Washington National Airport became the US first federal airport.
The world's first programmable, fully automatic computer is presented.
The National Gallery of Art opens in Washington. D.C.
Captain America issue #1 comic was published by Timely Comics (which later became Marvel).
Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg discovered the chemical element Plutonium.
Pioneering English pilot Amy Johnson went missing after bailing out of her plane over the Thames River.
California's first freeway, Arroyo Seco Parkway, officially opened to traffic.
Disney's animated feature 'Fantasia' was released to movie theaters in the US.
Benjamin O. Davis Sr. became the first African American US Army brigadier general.
Charlie Chaplin's satirical movie 'The Great Dictator' was released in the US.
The Blitz bombing of London's Balham Tube Station was bombed, killing over 60 people.
Bugs Bunny's official debut.
Billboard magazine started ranking sales of recorded songs.
Igor Sikorsky pilots his VS-300 helicopter's maiden flight.
The first US telecast was made from an airplane flying over New York City.
Hattie McDaniel won Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'Gone With the Wind,' making her the first African American woman to win an Oscar.
Tom and Jerry made their debut appearance.
Glenn Miller's 'In the Mood' hit number one on this day and stayed there for 12 weeks.
Walt Disney released their second feature-length movie, 'Pinocchio,' in New York City.
The American drama movie 'Of Mice and Men' was released in the US.
