What happened in 1946 would prove to be a year of transition. The guns had fallen silent, but the world was far from settled. Countries began rebuilding from the devastation of World War II, while a new geopolitical tension — the Cold War — started to take shape. In the UK, everyday life slowly resumed with renewed optimism, despite ongoing hardship. From the resumption of television broadcasts to the birth of the Baby Boomer generation, 1946 helped lay the foundation for the post-war era.
World Events
- Jan 10 – The United Nations General Assembly meets for the first time, in London.
- Jan 17 – The first session of the UN Security Council is held.
- Feb 24 – Juan Perón is elected President of Argentina.
- Mar 2 – Ho Chi Minh becomes President of North Vietnam.
- Mar 5 – Winston Churchill delivers his “Iron Curtain” speech in the U.S., warning of Soviet expansion.
- Mar 28 – The Acheson-Lilienthal Report proposes international control of nuclear power.
- May 22 – The U.S. launches WAC Corporal, the first American rocket to reach the edge of space.
- Aug 16 – Direct Action Day: Riots erupt in Calcutta over partition plans, killing 4,000+ people.
- Sep 30 – Verdicts delivered at the Nuremberg Trials; 22 Nazi leaders are convicted.
- Dec 12 – The United Nations accepts a land donation from John D. Rockefeller Jr. in New York for its future headquarters.
- UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) is established to provide relief for children worldwide.
What happened in 1946 in the United Kingdom
- The Labour government begins its nationalisation programme, starting with the coal industry.
- A combined radio and television licence is introduced at a cost of £2 per year.
- Free milk is made available to all schoolchildren under the age of 18.
- The BBC resumes regular television broadcasting, suspended since the start of WWII.
What happened in 1946 in the United States
- President Truman oversees the shift from wartime to peacetime governance.
- U.S. troops seize control of the nation’s railroads during a major rail strike.
- The government unsuccessfully attempts to purchase Greenland from Denmark for $100 million.
- Apr 1 – A tsunami strikes Hawaii, killing 159 people. Tragically, many warnings were ignored, believed to be April Fool’s jokes.
Popular culture in 1946: Music, Film, and Television
- Soldiers returning home struggle to find jobs and housing.
- The Mensa Society is founded, accepting only those with IQs in the top 2%.
- Bikinis go on sale in Paris, shocking some and delighting others.
- The first Cannes Film Festival takes place in France, showcasing global cinema.
- The first Baby Boomers are born, beginning a demographic shift.
- The ENIAC—the first general-purpose electronic computer—is unveiled at the University of Pennsylvania.
Film and Television – What people were watching in 1946
Notable Films Released:
- It’s a Wonderful Life
- The Best Years of Our Lives
- Great Expectations
- Notorious
- The Big Sleep
- Beauty and the Beast
- The Postman Always Rings Twice
- Green for Danger
- The Jolson Story
- A Matter of Life and Death
Television:
- British broadcasting resumes.
- Muffin the Mule becomes a children’s favourite.
Music – What people listened to in 1946
Popular Songs and Artists:
- “(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66” – Nat King Cole
- “La Vie En Rose” – Édith Piaf
- “To Each His Own” – The Ink Spots
- “Surrender” – Perry Como
- “Five Minutes More” – Frank Sinatra
- “Symphony” – Freddy Martin
- “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” – Vaughn Monroe
- “I Can’t Begin to Tell You” – Bing Crosby & Carmen Cavallaro
- “Oh! What It Seemed to Be” – Frankie Carle
- “Rock-A-Bye Your Baby” – Al Jolson
- “Night in Tunisia” – Dizzy Gillespie
- “September Song” – Frank Sinatra
- “I Don’t Know Enough About You” – Peggy Lee
- “Rumors Are Flying” – Frankie Carle
- “The Gypsy” – The Ink Spots
Sports
- Wimbledon resumes after the war.
- Men’s Champion: Yvon Petra (France)
- Women’s Champion: Pauline Betz (USA)
- Many international sports begin returning to pre-war schedules, but resources and travel limitations still impact participation.
What happened in 1946 in the motoring world
- Driving tests resume after being suspended during the war.
- The Triumph 1800 Roadster is introduced, featuring the last ‘dickey seat’ in a British car.
- Standard and Triumph merge to form Standard-Triumph.
- Austin acquires Vanden Plas, a respected luxury coachbuilder.
New Car Models Introduced:
- Alvis TA 14
- Armstrong Siddeley Hurricane and Typhoon
- Bentley Mark VI
- Daimler DE
- Jensen PW
- Jowett Bradford
- Peugeot 203
- Renault 4CV
- Riley RMB
- Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
- Triumph Roadster
- Vauxhall 10-4
- Wolseley Eight
Inventions and Breakthroughs in 1946
- ENIAC – The first general-purpose electronic computer is revealed in Pennsylvania.
- Bikinis – First introduced in France, marking a fashion milestone.
- Television Broadcasting – The BBC resumes TV after a seven-year break.
Looking back at what happened in 1946
With war behind them, people began rebuilding their lives and communities. Nationalisation, housing shortages, and cultural shifts defined the post-war reality. Yet hope and optimism surged, especially with the arrival of the Baby Boomer generation and the return of familiar comforts like cinema and television.
Whatever your memory, this year became a year of optimism now that the guns were silent.
→ Feel free to share your memories or thoughts in the comments below!
