June 5
June 5
Bestselling author Ken Follett is born
Bestselling thriller writer Ken Follett is born on this day in Wales to a devout Christian family that does not allow young Ken to watch TV, see movies, or listen…
A Year In History: 1949
Also Within This Year in History:
1949
The Cold War heated up in 1949 when the Soviet Union tested its first atomic bomb and Germany split into two separate nations—one aligned with the West, the other with the Soviets. To counteract the threat, the U.S. and European allies signed the NATO charter. In Asia, Communists declared the creation of the People’s Republic of China. George Orwell predicted scarier times ahead with his novel “1984,” and consumers saw the introduction of 45 r.p.m. records, Kraft singles and Lego plastic bricks.
June 8
June 8
George Orwell’s “1984” is published
George Orwell’s novel of a dystopian future, 1984, is published on June 8, 1949. The novel’s all‑seeing leader, known as “Big Brother,” becomes a universal symbol for intrusive government and…
June 8
June 8
FBI report names Hollywood figures as communists
Hollywood figures, including film stars Fredric March, John Garfield, Paul Muni, and Edward G. Robinson, are named in a FBI report as Communist Party members. Such reports helped to fuel…
June 11
June 11
Hank Williams Sr., makes his Grand Ole Opry debut
On June 11, 1949, country singer Hank Williams Sr., takes to the microphone of the Grand Ole Opry radio broadcast for the first time. That debut remains one of the…
July 8
July 8
Official Oscars chef Wolfgang Puck born
On this day in 1949, Wolfgang Puck, the celebrity chef and official caterer for the Academy Awards Governors Ball, is born in Austria. Puck, whose mother was a hotel chef,…
July 13
July 13
Pope Pius XII excommunicates all communist Catholics
On July 13, 1949, the Vatican releases its “Decree Against Communism” to the public. The Cold War‑era edict, issued by Pope Pius XII on July 1, excommunicates all communist Catholics.…
July 27
July 27
First commercial jet makes test flight
On July 27, 1949, the world’s first jet‑propelled airliner, the British De Havilland Comet, makes its maiden test‑flight in England. The jet engine would ultimately revolutionize the airline industry, shrinking…
August 3
August 3
NBA is born
On August 3, 1949, after a damaging three‑year battle to win both players and fans, the rival Basketball Association of America (BAA) and National Basketball League (NBL) merge to form…
August 9
August 9
Mystery writer Jonathan Kellerman born
Jonathan Kellerman, author of a series of mysteries featuring child psychologist Alex Delaware, is born on the Lower East Side of New York City on this day in 1949. His…
August 10
August 10
Truman signs National Security Bill
President Harry S. Truman signs the National Security Bill, which establishes the Department of Defense. As the Cold War heated up, the Department of Defense became the cornerstone of America’s…
August 25
August 25
Novelist Martin Amis is born
Martin Amis, son of novelist Kingsley Amis, is born in Oxford on this day in 1949. Amis’ father is a prominent novelist whose 1954 book, Lucky Jim, an academic satire,…
August 29
August 29
Soviets explode atomic bomb
At a remote test site at Semipalatinsk in Kazakhstan, the USSR successfully detonates its first atomic bomb, code name “First Lightning.” In order to measure the effects of the blast,…
August 31
August 31
Actor Richard Gere born
On this day in 1949, Richard Gere, the star of such hit films as An Officer and a Gentleman, Pretty Woman and Chicago, is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Gere was…
September 21
September 21
Mao Zedong outlines the new Chinese government
At the opening of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in Peking, Mao Zedong announces that the new Chinese government will be “under the leadership of the Communist Party of…
September 23
September 23
President Truman announces Soviets have exploded a nuclear device
In a surprisingly low‑key and carefully worded statement, President Harry S. Truman informs the American people that the Soviets have exploded a nuclear bomb. The Soviet accomplishment, years ahead of…
September 30
September 30
Berlin Airlift ends
After 15 months and more than 250,000 flights, the Berlin Airlift officially comes to an end. The airlift was one of the greatest logistical feats in modern history and was…
October 1
October 1
Mao Zedong proclaims People’s Republic of China
Naming himself head of state, communist revolutionary Mao Zedong officially proclaims the existence of the People’s Republic of China; Zhou Enlai is named premier. The proclamation was the climax of…
October 7
October 7
East Germany created
Less than five months after Great Britain, the United States and France established the Federal Republic of Germany in West Germany, the Democratic Republic of Germany is proclaimed within the…
November 27
November 27
Maria Tallchief debuts in “Firebird” as the first‑ever American prima ballerina
In a star‑making performance, ballerina Maria Tallchief debuts in the New York City Ballet’s production of Firebird on November 27, 1949. During her distinguished career, Tallchief collaborated with famed choreographer…
December 8
December 8
Chinese Nationalists move capital to Taiwan
As they steadily lose ground to the communist forces of Mao Zedong, Chinese Nationalist leaders depart for the island of Taiwan, where they establish their new capital. Nationalist leader Chiang…
