1948
State of Israel declared
In a Tel Aviv art museum, hours before the British Mandate expired, David Ben-Gurion read aloud a declaration establishing the State of Israel.
Gandhi assassinated
On his way to evening prayers in a Delhi garden, Mohandas Gandhi was shot three times in the chest by a Hindu nationalist who blamed him for accommodating…
Marshall Plan signed
The United States committed thirteen billion dollars to rebuild war-shattered Western Europe, with strings attached…
Apartheid formalized in South Africa
The National Party won the South African election on a platform of racial separation and within months began passing laws assigning every citizen to a racial…
Truman beats Dewey
Every poll and every major newspaper predicted a Republican landslide under Thomas Dewey.
Berlin Airlift begins
Stalin cut off road and rail access to West Berlin, hoping to starve the Allies out.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The UN General Assembly, meeting in Paris, adopted a Declaration drafted under Eleanor Roosevelt's stewardship that set out the inalienable rights belonging…
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Frequently asked
What happened in the year 1948?
Saeculum lists 7 events from 1948. The most significant is State of Israel declared: In a Tel Aviv art museum, hours before the British Mandate expired, David Ben-Gurion read aloud a declaration establishing the State of Israel.
What era was 1948 part of?
1948 falls within the Modern Era (1901-2000). World wars, cold war, and the splitting of the atom.
Which regions saw notable events in 1948?
The events from 1948 span Middle East, South Asia, Europe, Africa and North America.