The 1940s

1946 80 years ago

Howard Hughes nearly dies when his XF-11 reconnaissance aircraft prototype crashes in a Beverly Hills neighborhood.

Howard Robard Hughes Jr. was an American aviator, aerospace engineer, business magnate, film producer, and investor. He was one of the richest and most influential people in the wo…

Howard Hughes nearly dies when his XF-11 reconnaissance aircraft prototype crashes in a Beverly Hills neighborhood.

1946 80 years ago

King David Hotel bombing: A Zionist underground organisation, the Irgun, bombs the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, site…

The British administrative headquarters for Mandatory Palestine, housed in the southern wing of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, were bombed in a terrorist attack on 22 July 1946…

King David Hotel bombing: A Zionist underground organisation, the Irgun, bombs the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, site…

1946 80 years ago

The Crossroads Baker device is the first underwater nuclear weapon test.

Operation Crossroads was a pair of nuclear weapon tests conducted by the United States at Bikini Atoll in mid-1946. They were the first nuclear weapon tests since Trinity on July 1…

The Crossroads Baker device is the first underwater nuclear weapon test.

1946 80 years ago

Leaders of the Russian Liberation Army, a force of Russian prisoners of war that collaborated with Nazi Germany, are…

The Russian Liberation Army, also known as the Vlasov army was a collaborationist formation, primarily composed of Soviet defectors, that fought under German command during World W…

Leaders of the Russian Liberation Army, a force of Russian prisoners of war that collaborated with Nazi Germany, are…

1946 80 years ago

Talia Shire, American actress

Talia Rose Shire is an American actress and member of the Coppola family. She is best known for her roles as Connie Corleone in The Godfather trilogy and Adrian Pennino Balboa in t…

Talia Shire, American actress

1946 80 years ago

Peter Sutherland, Irish lawyer and politician, Attorney General of Ireland (died 2018)

Peter Denis Sutherland was an Irish businessman, barrister and Fine Gael politician who served as UN Special Representative for International Migration from 2006 to 2017. He was kn…

Peter Sutherland, Irish lawyer and politician, Attorney General of Ireland (died 2018)

1946 80 years ago

Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Russian colonel, lawyer, and politician (died 2022)

Vladimir Volfovich Zhirinovsky was a Russian right-wing populist politician who served as the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) from its creation in 1992 unti…

Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Russian colonel, lawyer, and politician (died 2022)

1946 80 years ago

Ralph Coates, English international footballer (died 2010)

Ralph Coates was an English professional footballer who played as a winger. Coates played for Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and Orient, making 480 appearances in the Football League. …

Ralph Coates, English international footballer (died 2010)

1946 80 years ago

Alberto Quintano, Chilean footballer

Alberto Fernando Quintano Ralph, commonly known as El Mariscal, is a Chilean former professional footballer. He played as a defender for Universidad de Chile in Chile's Primera Div…

Alberto Quintano, Chilean footballer

1946 80 years ago

Santa Claus Land, the world's first themed amusement park, opens in Santa Claus, Indiana, United States.

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, originally known as Santa Claus Land, is a theme park and water park located in Santa Claus, Indiana, United States. The park opened in 1946 and f…

Santa Claus Land, the world's first themed amusement park, opens in Santa Claus, Indiana, United States.

1946 80 years ago

The government of the Soviet Union presented a note to its Turkish counterparts which refuted the latter's sovereignty…

The Soviet Union, officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from its formation in 1922 until its dissol…

The government of the Soviet Union presented a note to its Turkish counterparts which refuted the latter's sovereignty…

1946 80 years ago

First flight of the nuclear capable Convair B-36, heaviest mass-produced piston-engined aircraft at the time.

The Convair B-36 "Peacemaker" was a piston-engined strategic bomber built by Convair and operated by the United States Air Force's Strategic Air Command from 1948 to 1959. With 384…

First flight of the nuclear capable Convair B-36, heaviest mass-produced piston-engined aircraft at the time.

1946 80 years ago

Mass riots in Kolkata begin; more than 4,000 people would be killed in 72 hours.

Direct Action Day was the day the All-India Muslim League decided to take a "direct action" using general strikes and economic shut down to demand a separate Muslim homeland after …

Mass riots in Kolkata begin; more than 4,000 people would be killed in 72 hours.

1946 80 years ago

Ordinance No. 46 of the British Military Government constitutes the German Länder (states) of Hanover and…

Ordinance No. 46, effective 23 August 1946, was an ordinance issued by the British Military Government (CCG/BE) in the British Zone of Allied-occupied Germany by which, among other…

Ordinance No. 46 of the British Military Government constitutes the German Länder (states) of Hanover and…

1946 80 years ago

Franz Roth, German footballer

Franz "Bulle" Roth is a former German footballer. He earned four caps for the Germany national football team and was nicknamed "the Bull" due to his physical playing style.

Franz Roth, German footballer

1946 80 years ago

Nour El-Sherif, Egyptian actor and producer (died 2015)

Nour El-Sherif, born Mohamad Geber Mohamad Abd Allah was a prominent Egyptian actor. He has 6 films in the Top 100 Egyptian films list.

Nour El-Sherif, Egyptian actor and producer (died 2015)

1946 80 years ago

Ginette Reno, Canadian singer-songwriter and actress

Ginette Reno is a Canadian singer, songwriter and actress. She has received nominations for the Genie and Gemini Awards and is a multi-recipient of the Juno Award. She is a gold an…

Ginette Reno, Canadian singer-songwriter and actress

1946 80 years ago

Rodney Frelinghuysen, American politician and lobbyist

Rodney Procter Frelinghuysen is an American former politician and lobbyist who served as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 11th congressional district from 1995 to 2019. The…

Rodney Frelinghuysen, American politician and lobbyist

1946 80 years ago

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

Carl XVI Gustaf has reigned as the King of Sweden since 15 September 1973. Having reigned for 52 years, he is the longest-reigning monarch in Swedish history and the second longest…

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

1946 80 years ago

The Workers' Party of North Korea, predecessor of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, is founded at a congress held in…

The Workers' Party of North Korea was a communist party in North Korea from 1946 to 1949 and was a predecessor of the current Workers' Party of Korea. It was founded at a congress …

The Workers' Party of North Korea, predecessor of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, is founded at a congress held in…

1946 80 years ago

The Interim Government of India is formed, headed by Jawaharlal Nehru as vice president with the powers of a Prime…

The Interim Government of India, also known as the Provisional Government of India, formed on 2 September 1946 from the newly elected Constituent Assembly of India, had the task of…

The Interim Government of India is formed, headed by Jawaharlal Nehru as vice president with the powers of a Prime…

1946 80 years ago

A referendum abolishes the monarchy in Bulgaria.

A referendum on becoming a republic was held in Bulgaria on 8 September 1946. Official results showed 96% in favour of the change against only 4% in favour of retaining the monarch…

A referendum abolishes the monarchy in Bulgaria.

1946 80 years ago

The Council of Europe is founded following a speech by Winston Churchill at the University of Zurich.

The Council of Europe is an international organisation which aims to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. Founded in 1949, it is Europe's oldest intergover…

The Council of Europe is founded following a speech by Winston Churchill at the University of Zurich.

1946 80 years ago

The first Cannes Film Festival is held, having been delayed for seven years due to World War II.

The Cannes Film Festival is considered the most prestigious film festival in the world. Held in Cannes, France, it previews new films of all genres, including documentaries. Founde…

The first Cannes Film Festival is held, having been delayed for seven years due to World War II.