1946 Newspapers

What things happened in 1946 that shocked the nation or made it into the newspaper headlines? This eventful year in history is chronicled through our extensive collection of newspapers printed at the time.

Our range of authentic historic newspapers is the largest in the world, and features copies from publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Dallas Morning News. Explore reports revealing what it was like to live during the year 1946 with an original newspaper printed at the time.

FROM $39.99
1946 Newspapers

1946 Newspaper Headlines

Our selection of 1946 newspaper articles tell the stories of some of the most major events the world had ever seen. The previous year had seen the end of World War II and the fall of Nazi Germany. The world was in a state of suspended shock as nations tried to comprehend the utter devastation that the war had left in its wake, and to find a point to begin a long process of repair. 1946 news was filled with tales of war crime trials as people were punished for their involvement in crimes of war.

1946 saw the formation of many peaceful organisations such as UNESCO, The United Nations and Unicef in order to prevent another outbreak of war. People had to find hope in the idea of a better future. The Atomic Energy Act was created to oversee the creation of nuclear weapons and implement their peaceful use. Additionally, the bikini made its debut into the swimwear world and Tupperware was introduced to the American kitchen. Discover more about this fascinating year in history for more historical insights.

January 10, 1946
The first meeting of the United Nations is held in London.

March 5, 1946 
In his speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, Winston Churchill talks about the Iron Curtain, which becomes symbolic of the start of the Cold War.

March 21, 1946 
The Los Angeles Rams of the NFL, newly relocated from Cleveland, sign Kenny Washington, making him the first African American player in the league since 1933.

May 7, 1946
Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering, later renamed Sony, is founded with approximately twenty employees.

July 4, 1946
The Philippines achieve full independence following over 381 years of Western dominance.

August 1, 1946 
President Harry Truman signs the Atomic Energy Act of 1946, which establishes the United States Atomic Energy Commission.

August 4, 1946
A devastating earthquake hits the northern Dominican Republic, measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale of magnitude. One hundred people are killed and 20,000 are left homeless.

August 19, 1946
Violence between Muslims and Hindus leaves 3,000 people dead in Calcutta.

October 15, 1946
Nuremberg Trials: Hermann Göring, founder of the Gestapo and a recently convicted Nazi war criminal, poisons himself hours before his scheduled execution.

October 16, 1946
Nazi War criminals convicted in the Nuremberg Trials are executed by hanging in a gymnasium in the Nuremberg Palace of Justice.

December 5, 1946 
President Harry Truman establishes the President’s Committee on Civil Rights to investigate the status of civil rights in the United States and propose measures to strengthen and protect the civil rights of American citizens.

11th December 1946
The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF ) is founded.

December 20, 1946 
Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life is released in New York.

December 26, 1946
David Lean’s “Great Expectations”, based on the Charles Dickens novel, is released to great acclaim in England. The film features John Mills, Valerie Hobson, Martita Hunt, Alec Guinness, Francis L. Sullivan, Jean Simmons and Finlay Currie.

December 26, 1946 
The Flamingo Hotel opens on Las Vegas Strip.

31st December 1946
President Harry Truman delivers Proclamation 2714, which officially ends hostilities in the Second World War.

More from this Decade