The Knesset, Israel's parliament, convened for the first time.
War of the World's played on the radio, and residents in Quito, Ecuador, believed they were being attacked by Martians.
The first-ever Emmy Awards were presented at the Hollywood Athletic Club in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles was covered in snow for the first time in recorded history.
The first-ever photograph of genes was taken.
Cinderella, the first full-length ballet by Frederick Ashton with music by Sergei Prokofiev, was first presented at Covent Garden, London, by Sadler's Wells Ballet.
UN General Assembly adopts Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In-N-Out Burger opened its first restaurant in Baldwin Park, Los Angeles, US.
Supreme Court ruled bans on interracial marriage unconstitutional.
Kim Il-sung Establishes North Korea.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) was founded with 147 churches from 44 countries.
A law was passed declaring that the 'Palestinian Pound' could be used as legal tender in Palestine and Israel.
King George VI officially opened the 11th modern-day Olympic Games at the Wembley Arena in London, UK.
South Korea elected Syngman Rhee as their first president.
The Berlin Blockade begins.
Manchester Mark I computer became the first stored computer to run a program at a lab at Manchester University, UK.
Egypt, Syria, Transjordan and Iraq invade Israel.
Israel declared independence from the British administration.
The United Nations formed the World Health Organization (WHO).
Harry S. Truman signs the Marshall Plan.
The UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France signed the Treaty of Brussels.
Czechoslovakia becomes a communist state following a coup d'etat.
Ceylon (Sri Lanka) proclaims independence within the British Commonwealth.
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated.
The Flag of Quebec was adopted and flown for the first time over the National Assembly of Quebec.
Burma declared independence from the United Kingdom.
Last king of Romania steps down.
The French Army massacred more than 300 civilians in the Vietnamese village of Mỹ Trạch.
Queen Elizabeth II married Philip Mountbatten at Westminster Abbey in London.
Maharaja Hari Singh agrees to the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India.
US Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager became the first-ever person to break the speed of sound, flying the Bell X-1 at 662 miles per hour.
Harry Truman delivers first‑ever presidential speech on TV.
India Becomes Independent From British Rule.
Pakistan gained independence from the British Empire – a day before India's independence.
President Harry Truman signed the National Security Act.
British Princess Elizabeth got engaged to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten.
A flying saucer crash at Roswell, New Mexico, was broadcasted to the public.
Rosewell UFO sighting.
The Soviet Union started mass producing the AK-47 assault rifle.
Swedish company Saab, previously known for making aircraft, produced their first automobile.
Thor Heyerdahl begins his legendary journey on Kon-Tiki.
President Harry Truman opened the two-lane White House bowling alley.
The Texas City industrial incident occurred, killing 536 people.
The first Tony Awards were handed out at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.
The Truman doctrine is proclaimed.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is formed.
An anti-government uprising took place in Taiwan, where around 28,000 people lost their lives.
The state of Prussia is dissolved.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) begins operating.
US General Eisenhower bid to raise $170 million in aid to help European Jews.
