January 4, 1948★★★★★
Independence of Burma
The Union of Burma becomes independent from Britain, choosing not to join the Commonwealth.
Politics· Myanmar, United Kingdom
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Events this year
January 30, 1948★★★★★
Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi is shot dead in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist.
DeathPolitics· India
February 4, 1948★★★★★
Independence of Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
Ceylon becomes an independent dominion within the Commonwealth, ending British colonial rule.
Politics· Sri Lanka, United Kingdom
April 3, 1948★★★★★
Marshall Plan
The United States enacts a large-scale economic aid programme to rebuild Western European economies after the Second World War.
EconomyPolitics· United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands
May 14, 1948★★★★★
Israeli Declaration of Independence
David Ben-Gurion proclaims the State of Israel in Tel Aviv as the British Mandate for Palestine ends.
Politics· Israel
May 15, 1948 – 1949★★★★★
1948 Arab–Israeli War
Neighbouring Arab states go to war with Israel; the war ends with the 1949 armistice agreements, and about 700,000 Palestinians flee or are expelled from their homes.
War· Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq
May 26, 1948★★★★★
National Party wins power and apartheid begins
The National Party won South Africa's general election and began enacting apartheid, a legally enforced system of racial segregation that lasted until the early 1990s.
Politics· South Africa
June 24, 1948 – May 12, 1949★★★★★
Berlin Blockade and Airlift
The Soviet Union blocks road and rail access to West Berlin; the Western Allies respond by supplying the city through an airlift for almost a year.
Politics· Germany, Russia, United States, United Kingdom, France
August 15, 1948★★★★★
Republic of Korea established
The government of the Republic of Korea is established in the south of the peninsula, with Syngman Rhee as president.
Politics· South Korea
September 9, 1948★★★★★
Democratic People's Republic of Korea established
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is proclaimed in the north of the peninsula, led by Kim Il Sung.
Politics· North Korea
Ongoing
December 19, 1946 – 1954★★★★★
First Indochina War
War between the Việt Minh and France breaks out in Hanoi and lasts until the Geneva Accords of 1954.
War· Vietnam, France, Laos, Cambodia