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Major Events of December 1945: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from December 1945 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of December 1945: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 1945 British Military Arrests Nazi Industrialists: British military police conducted a comprehensive sweep through the Ruhr and Rhineland regions, arresting 76 Nazi industrialists who were suspected of supporting the Nazi regime's economic infrastructure during World War II.
  • 02 Dec 1945 Alan Thomson: Australian Cricket Player: Alan 'Froggy' Thomson was a notable Australian cricket player who was active during the 1970-1971 cricket season. Known for his fast bowling (quick bowling) style, Thomson was part of the Australian national cricket team during a significant period of international cricket.
  • 03 Dec 1945 Communist Demonstrations in Athens Precede Greek Civil War: On December 3, 1945, significant communist demonstrations erupted in Athens, signaling the growing political tensions that would ultimately lead to the Greek Civil War. These protests highlighted the deep ideological divisions within Greek society in the immediate aftermath of World War II, with communist factions challenging the existing political establishment and setting the stage for a prolonged and bitter conflict.
  • 04 Dec 1945 US Senate Approves United Nations Participation: In a landmark vote of 65 to 7, the United States Senate approved the country's participation in the United Nations, solidifying the nation's commitment to international cooperation and diplomacy in the post-World War II era.
  • 05 Dec 1945 Mysterious Disappearance of Flight 19 in the Bermuda Triangle: On December 5, 1945, a squadron of five U.S. Navy TBF Avenger torpedo-bombers, consisting of 14 crew members from Fort Lauderdale Naval Air Station in Florida, vanished during a routine training mission over the Atlantic Ocean. Adding to the mystery, a search and rescue Mariner aircraft with a 13-man crew also disappeared during the rescue attempt. Despite extensive search efforts, no trace of the aircraft or crew was ever found, making this one of the most enigmatic aviation incidents in U.S. military history.
  • 06 Dec 1945 Marshall Testifies at Pearl Harbor Inquiry: U.S. General George C. Marshall testified at the Pearl Harbor inquiry, stating that while he did not anticipate the attack, an 'alert' defense would have prevented all but 'limited harm'.
  • 07 Dec 1945 Invention of the Microwave Oven: On December 7, 1945, Percy Spencer, an engineer at Raytheon Corporation, patented the first microwave oven. While working with radar technology during World War II, Spencer accidentally discovered that microwaves could heat food when a chocolate bar in his pocket melted near a magnetron. This serendipitous discovery led to the development of the first commercial microwave oven, the Radarange, which was large, expensive, and initially used primarily in restaurants and industrial settings. The technology would later revolutionize home cooking in the 1970s.
  • 08 Dec 1945 Post-World War II Period - Quiet Day: On December 8, 1945, the world was in a period of recovery and reconstruction following the end of World War II just months earlier. While no specific major historical events were recorded for this particular date, the global community was focused on rebuilding infrastructure, healing from wartime trauma, and establishing new international relationships.
  • 09 Dec 1945 Death of General George S. Patton: General George S. Patton suffered a severe automobile accident in occupied Germany, sustaining critical injuries that ultimately led to his death twelve days after the initial crash. The accident occurred near Mannheim, where he broke his neck in a relatively minor collision, which left him paralyzed from the neck down. His passing marked the end of a significant World War II military leader.
  • 10 Dec 1945 Preston Tucker Unveils Revolutionary Car Design: Automotive innovator Preston Tucker publicly revealed his ambitious plan to produce the Torpedo, a groundbreaking automobile capable of reaching speeds up to 150 miles per hour. This announcement represented a significant moment in post-war automotive design and innovation, showcasing the technological optimism of the mid-1940s.
  • 11 Dec 1945 United Steelworkers Plan Nationwide Strike: The United Steelworkers union voted unanimously to initiate a massive nationwide strike, involving approximately 700,000 workers. The strike, planned for January 14, aimed to secure a $2-per-day wage increase, reflecting post-World War II labor negotiations and workers' economic demands.
  • 12 Dec 1945 NSB-Leader Anton Mussert Sentenced to Death: The Special Court of Justice convicted Anton Mussert, leader of the Dutch Nazi collaborationist National Socialist Movement (NSB), and sentenced him to death for his wartime activities and treason against the Netherlands.
  • 13 Dec 1945 Execution of Nazi War Criminals Josef Kramer and Irma Grese: On December 13, 1945, Josef Kramer, known as the 'Beast of Belsen', and Irma Grese, infamously called the 'Hyena of Auschwitz', were executed by hanging at Hamelin Prison in Germany. Both were convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity during their service in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. Kramer was the commandant of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, while Grese was a notorious SS guard at Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. Their trial was part of the broader Nuremberg trials, which sought to bring Nazi war criminals to justice for their brutal actions during the Holocaust.
  • 14 Dec 1945 U.S. House Passes Full Employment Bill of 1945: The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Full Employment Bill of 1945 with a decisive vote of 254 to 126. This landmark legislation aimed to establish the federal government's responsibility for maintaining economic conditions that would lead to maximum employment, production, and purchasing power.
  • 15 Dec 1945 Shinto State Religion Abolished in Post-War Japan: On December 15, 1945, General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, issued a directive that officially abolished Shinto as the state religion of Japan. This landmark decision was part of the broader post-World War II reforms aimed at dismantling the imperial system and its religious underpinnings. The directive sought to separate religion from state governance and reduce the spiritual authority that had been used to support Japanese militarism and emperor worship during the war.
  • 16 Dec 1945 Tragic Racial Violence Against Black Family in California: In a horrific act of racial violence, the Short family home in Fontana, California was deliberately set on fire, resulting in the deaths of Helen Short and her two young children, Barry and Carol Ann. Initially disguised as an accident, investigations later confirmed this as a deliberate arson attack motivated by racial hatred.
  • 17 Dec 1945 Women's Suffrage in Japan: On December 17, 1945, Japan made a historic legal amendment granting women the right to vote, marking a pivotal moment in the country's democratic evolution and women's rights. This change came in the aftermath of World War II, during the period of significant social and political reforms under Allied occupation.
  • 18 Dec 1945 Uruguay Joins the United Nations: On December 18, 1945, Uruguay officially became a member state of the United Nations (UN), marking a significant moment in the country's international diplomatic engagement. As one of the founding members of the UN, Uruguay demonstrated its commitment to global cooperation, peaceful resolution of conflicts, and multilateral diplomacy in the post-World War II era. This membership provided Uruguay with a platform to participate in international decision-making processes and contribute to global discussions on peace, security, and development.
  • 19 Dec 1945 Hitler's Body Discovered in Berlin: Soviet forces discovered the body of Adolf Hitler buried in an armored shelter within a garden near the Nazi Chancellery in Berlin. A forensic dentist positively identified the remains, confirming Hitler's death following the end of World War II.
  • 20 Dec 1945 United Nations Participation Act Signed: President Harry S. Truman signed the United Nations Participation Act on December 20, 1945, formally committing the United States to participation in the newly established United Nations organization, a crucial step in post-war international diplomacy and cooperation.
  • 21 Dec 1945 World Bank Establishment: Twenty-eight nations signed a historic international agreement to create the World Bank, a pivotal moment in global economic cooperation and post-World War II reconstruction efforts.
  • 22 Dec 1945 Truman's Executive Order on World War II Refugees: On December 22, 1945, U.S. President Harry S. Truman signed a landmark executive order providing special immigration considerations for World War II refugees. This order gave these displaced persons precedence in visa applications under existing U.S. immigration quotas, representing a humanitarian response to the massive population displacements caused by the war.
  • 23 Dec 1945 Tomoyuki Yamashita Convicted of War Crimes: Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita was found guilty of war crimes by a Manila court and sentenced to death, representing a significant post-World War II judicial proceeding against Japanese military leadership.
  • 24 Dec 1945 Birth of Lemmy Kilmister: Ian 'Lemmy' Kilmister was born in Stoke-on-Trent, England. He would become an iconic rock musician, best known as the lead singer, bassist, and founding member of the legendary heavy metal band Motörhead. Lemmy was a pioneering figure in the rock and heavy metal music scene, known for his distinctive vocal style, powerful bass playing, and rebellious persona.
  • 25 Dec 1945 Birth of Noel Redding, Bassist of The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Noel Redding was born on December 25, 1945, in London, England. He would become famous as the original bassist for the legendary rock band The Jimi Hendrix Experience, playing a crucial role in one of the most influential musical groups of the 1960s. Redding was known for his distinctive bass playing style and contributed significantly to the band's groundbreaking psychedelic rock sound. Though primarily remembered as a bassist, he was also a talented guitarist and songwriter. He remained with the band from 1966 to 1969, participating in iconic albums like 'Are You Experienced' and 'Axis: Bold as Love'. After leaving the band, he continued to make music and was active in various musical projects until his death in 2003.
  • 26 Dec 1945 Creation of CFP and CFA Francs: The French colonial monetary system established two distinct currency zones: the CFP (Colonies Françaises du Pacifique) franc for French Pacific territories and the CFA (Communauté Financière Africaine) franc for French African colonies. These currencies were designed to standardize economic transactions and maintain French monetary influence in its overseas territories during the post-World War II decolonization period.
  • 27 Dec 1945 International Monetary Fund (IMF) Established: On December 27, 1945, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was officially created through a multilateral agreement signed by 29 nations. This landmark financial institution was established in the aftermath of World War II to promote international monetary cooperation, facilitate global trade, and support economic stability worldwide.
  • 28 Dec 1945 War Brides Act Enacted: On December 28, 1945, the United States Congress passed the War Brides Act, a significant piece of immigration legislation that allowed foreign spouses, natural children, and adopted children of American servicemen to enter the United States. This act was a humanitarian response to the complex family situations created by World War II, helping to reunite military personnel with their families and providing a pathway for immigration for those connected to American service members.
  • 29 Dec 1945 Quiet Day in Post-World War II Era: Following the conclusion of World War II, December 29, 1945, appears to be a relatively uneventful day in global history. The world was in a period of reconstruction and recovery, with many nations focusing on rebuilding infrastructure, reintegrating soldiers, and transitioning to peacetime economies.
  • 30 Dec 1945 Hitler's Personal Documents Discovered: Hitler's last will and marriage certificate were discovered in Tegernsee, near Munich, providing historians with intimate insights into the personal life of the Nazi leader in the aftermath of World War II.
  • 31 Dec 1945 United Nations Charter Ratification Completed: The international community completed the ratification of the United Nations Charter, marking a pivotal moment in global diplomacy and establishing a framework for international cooperation and conflict resolution in the post-World War II era.