US President Harry Truman officially proclaimed the end of World War II.
The Christmas classic directed by Frank Capra, 'It's a Wonderful Life,' premiered in New York.
A V-2 rocket captured the first photograph of Earth from outer space.
Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong's flagship airline, was founded.
Dr. Benjamin Spock's book 'Common Sense Book of Baby & Child Care' was published.
The Philippines gained its independence as a nation after 381 years of colonial rule.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) resumed TV broadcasting for the first time since the end of WWII.
The United States Supreme Court declared that it was unlawful to discriminate in interstate travel.
Italians voted to form a republic instead of a monarchy.
Ion Antonescu, Romania's dictatorial World War II leader, was executed by firing squad.
Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering, later renamed to Sony, was founded with approximately 20 employees.
The League of Nations was officially dissolved by its member states.
The inaugural meeting of the International Court of Justice was held in The Hague, Netherlands.
America built the first rocket to reach an altitude of 50 miles (80 km).
Citizens of Bikini Island evacuated for nuclear testing.
The first commercial helicopter, Sikorsky S51, had its first test flight.
