World news events

  • Mahatma Gandhi assassinated in India
  • House Un-American Activities Committee accuses Alger Hiss of spying for the Soviet Union
  • Communists seize power in Czechoslovakia
  • U.S. Congress ratifies Marshall Plan, approving $17 billion in European aid
  • State of Israel created; admits over 200,000 European war refugees
  • Soviet Union seals off land routes to Berlin; West responds with massive airlift of provisions
  • President Harry S Truman re-elected in upset over Thomas E. Dewey
  • President Truman integrates the U.S. Armed Forces

Science & Technology

  • Alfred Kinsey's Sexual Behavior in the Human Male is the first large-scale study of individuals' sexual habits, with stunning revelations about infidelity, homosexuality and other issues
  • U.S. government conducts extensive missile tests in New Mexico desert
  • 200-inch telescope at Mount Palomar begins operation
  • Cortisone introduced as an arthritis treatment
  • "Big bang" theory of the universe's origin postulated
  • Orville Wright dies

Sports

  • NBA: Baltimore Bullets vs. Philadelphia Warriors Series: 4-2
  • NCAA Football: Michigan Record: 9-0-0
  • Heisman Trophy: Doak Walker, SMU HB Points: 778
  • Stanley Cup: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings Series: 4-0
  • US Open Golf: Ben Hogan Score: 276 Course: Rivera CC Location: Los Angeles, CA
  • World Series: Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Braves Series: 4-2
  • Olympics held in London
  • "Citation" wins Preakness, Belmont and Kentucky Derby
  • Boxer Joe Louis retires
  • Babe Ruth dies

Movies

  • The Road to Rio
  • Easter Parade
  • Red River
  • The Three Musketeers
  •  Jonny Belinda
  • Cass Timberlane
  • The Emperor Waltz
  • Gentleman's Agreement
  • Date with Judy
  • Captain from Castile

         Academy Awards

  • Best Picture: "Hamlet"
  • Best Director: John Huston ... "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre"
  • Best Actor: Laurence Oliver ... "Hamlet"
  • Best Actress: Jane Wyman ... "Johnny Belinda"

Music

1. I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover - Art Mooney
2. Bumble Boogie - Freddy Martin
3. Buttons and Bows - Dinah Shore
4. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris
5. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm - Les Brown
6. I Can't Go On Without You - Bull Moose Jackson and his Buffalo Bearcats
7. Twelfth Street Rag - Pee Wee Hunt
8. Manana (Is Soon Enough For Me) - Peggy Lee
9. Corn Bread - Hal Singer Sextette
10. All I Want For Christmas is my Two Front Teeth - Spike Jones
11. Chicken-Shack Boogie - Amos Milburn
12. You Can't Be True, Dear - Ken Griffin
13. Messin' Around - Memphis Slim and His House Rockers
14. Long Gone - Sonny Thompson with the Sharps and the Flats
15. It's Magic - Doris Day
16. Run Joe - Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five
17. Nature Boy - Nat King Cole
18. Blues After Hours - Pee Wee Crayton and His Guitar
19. Now Is The Hour - Bing Crosby
20. Love Somebody - Doris Day & Buddy Clark
21. Woody Woodpecker - Kay Kyser
22. My Heart Belongs To You - Arbee Stidham
23. You Call Everybody Darlin' - Al Trace
24. Bewildered - Red Miller Trio
25. A Tree In The Meadow - Margaret Whiting