1948 Newspapers

An important year worldwide, 1948 news included numerous events that defined the decade. Recovering from the aftermath of the Second World War, countries across the globe were beginning to rebuild their economies. Newspapers captured the social and political landscape of the time.

Reading a 1948 newspaper today allows the individual to see how the world has progressed, what values have changed and why we must never forget how prominent years such as this shaped the world, for the better, or for the worse. Of the four million newspapers in our archive, we have an impressive variety of dates and newspaper titles available for anyone with an interest in this particular year and its history.

FROM $39.99
1948 Newspapers

A Summary of 1948 Newspaper Headlines

30th January 1948
Indian pacifist and leader Mahatma Gandhi is assassinated by Nathuram Godse.

February 21, 1948 
The stock car racing organization NASCAR is founded by Bill France Sr. with other drivers meeting at the Streamline Hotel, Daytona Beach, Florida.

March 8, 1948 
McCollum v. Board of Education: The United States Supreme Court rules that religious instruction in public schools violates the U.S. Constitution.

April 3, 1948 
President Harry Truman signs the Marshall Plan, which authorizes $15 billion in aid for 16 countries.

7th April 1948
The World Health Organisation is established by the United Nations.

June 12, 1948 
Women in the Air Force (WAF) is created.

22nd June 1948
The ship ‘Empire Windrush’ brings the first group of several hundred black immigrants to Tilbury near London from the Caribbean countries. This is the start of multiculturalism in Britain.

June 24, 1948 
The Berlin Blockade begins. In response, the United States orders the launch of Operation Vittles, the U.S. action of the Berlin Airlift.

28th June 1948
David Lean’s “Oliver Twist“, based on Charles Dickens’ famous novel, premieres in the United Kingdom. The film is banned for three years in the United States due to alleged anti-Semitism in the depiction of Fagin.

July 26, 1948 
President Harry S. Truman signs Executive Order 9981, ending racial segregation in the United States Armed Forces.

29th July 1948
The 1948 Summer Olympics begin in London. The Olympic Games had previously been on a twelve-year hiatus due to the Second World War.

9th September 1948
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is formally declared, with Kim Il-sung as Prime Minister.

September 29, 1948 
Laurence Olivier’s film version of “Hamlet” opens in the United States.

5th October 1948
The 1948 Ashgabat earthquake kills 100,000 people in the Soviet Union.

2nd November 1948
Democratic incumbent Harry S. Truman defeats Republican Thomas E. Dewey and ‘Dixiecrat’ Strom Thurmond in the 1948 presidential election.

12th November 1948
In Tokyo, an international war crimes tribunal sentences seven Japanese military and government officials to death, for their roles in the Second World War. One of those executed is General Hideki Tojo.

14th November 1948
Birth of Prince Charles, heir to the British throne.

 

Our 1948 newspaper headlines feature notorious events that are now instantly associated with this year. The World Health Organisation was established to promote healthy practices all over the world. A defining moment, the United Nations came together to create the United Declaration of Human Rights after the atrocities of WWII, stating all humans are entitled to fair treatment, dignity and human rights regardless of personal characteristics.

Not found what you’re looking for? If you want an exact newspaper about particular events or persons, you can contact research@historic-newspapers.co.uk for in-depth articles.

Gandhi Assassination Newspaper Coverage

Despite the promise of economic change, the year also witnessed its share of sadness. The Gandhi assassination newspaper became a major headline of the year, where Mahatma Gandhi, the pacifist and activist leader of the Indian Independence movement against British rule, was assassinated by Nathuram Godse. These are some of the major events that made the headlines during this year.

More from this Decade

ReviewsReviews

Rated 4.5 out of 5

based on 115 reviews

Alexandra Dean November 27 2023

Very great customer service

Gayle DiGangi Jacobs November 19 2023

One of the most original gift ideas given to a birthday boy celebrating his 80th birthday.

Jeff G November 17 2023

Crumbling and expensive. Paid $70 plus for a paper taped back together. Horrible customer serve. At no point do they advertise these papers maybe taped together. Probably because if they did you would not buy it. Deceitful.

  • Historic Newspapers Team November 18 2023

    Thank you for your review.

    We do apologize that you are not happy with the newspaper received.

    We can see that you did contact our Customer Service Team in regards to the item received. It was explained that as you have ordered a 1945 newspaper and therefore 78 years old, unfortunately it will not be received as if you had brought a newspaper today.

    Most of our archived papers are stored in large binders or are already folded, especially the larger broadsheets. As they are genuine originals from that time, they can be fragile therefore we use a special archive tape to reinforce the spine or areas which may deteriorate from excessive use. Some stock we have acquired is stitched into the binders from previous use in places like libraries, universities, private sales etc. Where this is the case, we would have to carefully cut the papers out so we use the tape which is clear and designed so that you can read the paper freely.

    Please accept our apologies for any inconvenienced caused.

    Kindest Regards
    The Historic Newspapers Team

Volha Chuvakin November 11 2023

Bought it for my husband birthday and can't wait to give it. It is beautifully packaged and paper is in amazing condition.

Kirsten Becker October 20 2023

The perfect thoughtful gift!

Evelyn Hart October 18 2023

Product was amazing!! Absolutely treasured experience. Each page was an adventure back in time.

Paula G September 19 2023

Very unique, interesting to see what happens 70 years ago.

Deeanna Franklin Campbell September 19 2023

It was an 80th birthday gift for my dad. He loved it. Wonderful trip down memory lane. The paper is very fragile and turning the dry pages takes great care, but that just helped with the authenticity and magic of the look into the past. Thanks!

Benjamin W August 17 2023

This is a great product and is the perfect gift for a loved one

Kenneth Robinson August 11 2023

For a newspaper that’s 80+ years old and almost perfect, can’t go wrong.