previous year1939
1940194119421943194419451946194719481949
1950next year

Major Events of May 1946: 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 May 1946 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of May 1946: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 May 1946 Pilbara Indigenous Workers' Strike Begins: A landmark labor rights movement commenced when Indigenous Australian pastoral workers in Northwest Western Australia initiated a three-year strike, challenging systemic labor exploitation and racial discrimination.
  • 02 May 1946 Battle of Alcatraz: On May 2, 1946, a violent prison uprising occurred at Alcatraz Federal Prison in San Francisco. Six inmates attempted a daring escape that resulted in a deadly confrontation, killing two prison guards and three inmates during the intense standoff.
  • 03 May 1946 Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal Opens: The International Military Tribunal for the Far East commenced in Tokyo, prosecuting 28 high-ranking Japanese military and government officials for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during World War II. This landmark judicial proceeding represented a critical moment in post-war international justice, holding senior Japanese leaders accountable for their actions during the conflict.
  • 04 May 1946 Alcatraz Prison Riot: A violent two-day riot erupted at Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay, resulting in five fatalities. U.S. Marines from the nearby Treasure Island Naval Base were called in to suppress the disturbance.
  • 05 May 1946 Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal Begins: The International Military Tribunal for the Far East commenced in Tokyo, with twenty-eight prominent Japanese military and government officials being formally charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity, marking a pivotal moment in post-World War II international justice.
  • 06 May 1946 Native American Veterans Denied Voting Rights in New Mexico: Zuni and Navajo veterans who had served with distinction in World War II were systematically prevented from registering to vote in the 1946 New Mexico general elections, highlighting the pervasive racial discrimination against Native Americans despite their military service and sacrifice.
  • 07 May 1946 Sony Corporation Founded: Sony Corporation is established in Tokyo, Japan, initially as Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering, founded by visionary entrepreneurs Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita. The company begins with approximately 20 employees and will later become a global technology and electronics powerhouse.
  • 08 May 1946 Estonian Resistance Against Soviet Memorial: Estonian school girls Aili Jogi and Ageeda Paavel conducted a bold act of resistance by destroying the Soviet memorial located in front of the Bronze Soldier in Tallinn, symbolizing the Estonian people's defiance against Soviet occupation during the post-World War II period.
  • 09 May 1946 First V-2 Rocket Launch in United States: The first V-2 rocket is successfully launched at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, representing a pivotal moment in post-World War II rocket technology and the early stages of the United States' space and missile development program.
  • 10 May 1946 Nehru Leads Congress Party: Jawaharlal Nehru is elected leader of the Congress Party in India, a significant step in the country's journey towards independence and political transformation.
  • 11 May 1946 SS Members Convicted for Mauthausen Concentration Camp Atrocities: In a landmark war crimes trial, sixty-one SS members were convicted of murdering 70,000 people, primarily Jewish victims, at the Mauthausen concentration camp. Forty-nine of the convicted were executed, while 12 were eventually released by 1951. This trial was part of the post-World War II efforts to bring Nazi war criminals to justice.
  • 12 May 1946 Soviet Blockade of Berlin Ends: On May 12, 1946, the Soviet Union officially ended its blockade of Berlin, a critical moment in the early Cold War tensions. However, the Western Allies continued the Berlin Airlift to supply the city's population until September 11, 1949, demonstrating their commitment to supporting West Berlin despite Soviet pressure.
  • 13 May 1946 Soviet Ballistic Missile Program Establishment: Joseph Stalin signs a top-secret decree (No. 1017-419ss) formally establishing the Soviet ballistic missile program, with Minister of Armaments Dmitriy Ustinov appointed as the project's overseer. This marks a critical moment in the early Cold War technological arms race.
  • 14 May 1946 Robert Jarvik Birth: Robert Jarvik, a pioneering surgeon and medical inventor, was born. He would later become famous for developing the Jarvik 7 artificial heart, a groundbreaking medical technology that significantly advanced cardiovascular medical treatments and artificial organ research.
  • 15 May 1946 USCG Eagle Commissioned: America's Tall Ship: On May 15, 1946, the United States Coast Guard commissioned the USCG Eagle, a prestigious sailing vessel that would become known as 'America's Tall Ship'. Originally a German naval training ship seized after World War II, the Eagle was transformed into a critical training vessel for Coast Guard cadets. The three-masted barque serves as an essential educational platform, teaching maritime skills, leadership, and seamanship to future Coast Guard officers through hands-on sailing experiences.
  • 16 May 1946 Meteorite Impact in Santa Ana, Nuevo Leon: On May 16, 1946, a significant meteorite struck Santa Ana, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, causing extensive property damage and injuring 28 local residents. The rare celestial event devastated multiple houses, highlighting the potential destructive power of extraterrestrial objects entering Earth's atmosphere.
  • 17 May 1946 Truman Intervenes to Prevent Railroad Strike: U.S. President Harry Truman exercised executive power by seizing control of the nation's railroads to prevent a potentially disruptive labor strike, demonstrating the federal government's commitment to maintaining critical transportation infrastructure during the post-war economic recovery period.
  • 18 May 1946 Birth of Reggie Jackson, Baseball Legend: Reggie Jackson, famously known as 'Mr. October', was born on this date. He would become one of the most iconic and celebrated baseball players in history, playing as a right fielder for the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics. Jackson was renowned for his exceptional performance during crucial playoff moments, earning him his legendary nickname.
  • 19 May 1946 Tokyo Food Shortage Protest: The 'People's Rally for Obtaining Food' occurred in Tokyo, with hundreds of thousands of demonstrators protesting severe food shortages in post-war Japan. This massive public demonstration highlighted the significant economic and humanitarian challenges facing the country after World War II.
  • 20 May 1946 Birth of Cher, Iconic Performer: Cherilyn Sarkisian, professionally known as Cher, is born. She will become a legendary singer, actress, and pop culture icon known for her distinctive voice and groundbreaking career spanning multiple decades.
  • 21 May 1946 Fatal Criticality Incident: Louis Slotin and the Demon Core: On May 21, 1946, physicist Louis Slotin was fatally irradiated during a dangerous experimental procedure with the infamous 'Demon Core' at Los Alamos National Laboratory. During a critical nuclear assembly experiment, Slotin accidentally triggered a sudden burst of radiation while manually manipulating plutonium core components. His quick reflexes and heroic actions prevented a potential catastrophic chain reaction, saving his colleagues' lives at the cost of his own. Slotin received a massive radiation dose estimated at nearly 1,000 rads, which would prove fatal. He died on May 30, 1946, from acute radiation syndrome, becoming a tragic symbol of the risks faced by scientists during the early atomic research era.
  • 22 May 1946 US Government Seizes Bituminous Coal Mines: In a dramatic labor dispute intervention, the United States federal government seized control of bituminous coal mines at 12:01 a.m. due to an ongoing workers' strike. This action demonstrated the government's willingness to directly intervene in industrial conflicts to maintain national economic stability during the post-World War II period.
  • 23 May 1946 Baldur von Schirach Testimony at Nuremberg Trials: During the Nuremberg Trials, Dr. Fritz Sauter called Baldur von Schirach, the former Hitler Youth Leader, to testify. This pivotal moment in the post-World War II judicial proceedings involved questioning a key Nazi leadership figure about his role and responsibilities during the Third Reich.
  • 24 May 1946 Major U.S. Railroad Strike of 1946: A significant railroad strike began in the United States, severely disrupting transportation infrastructure. Only 100 passenger trains and fewer than 300 freight trains were operational, indicating a massive labor dispute that impacted national transportation and economic activities.
  • 25 May 1946 Jordan's Independence from Britain: On May 25, 1946, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan officially gained independence from British colonial rule, marking a significant milestone in the nation's history. This momentous occasion transformed Transjordan into a sovereign state, ending decades of British mandate and protectorate status.
  • 26 May 1946 Czechoslovak Parliamentary Election: The Czechoslovak parliamentary election takes place, with the Communist Party securing a significant victory by winning 38% of the vote. This election is historically crucial as it represents the last free election before the Communist Party's complete takeover of the government.
  • 28 May 1946 United States Extends Massive Loan to France: The United States provided a record-breaking loan package to France totaling 1.37 billion dollars, signaling substantial post-World War II economic support and diplomatic relations.
  • 29 May 1946 KVP Wins Provincial National Election in the Netherlands: The Katholieke Volkspartij (Catholic People's Party or KVP) secured victory in the provincial national election in the Netherlands, marking a significant moment in the country's post-World War II political landscape.
  • 30 May 1946 United Airlines Flight 521 Tragedy: A devastating aviation accident occurred at LaGuardia Airport in New York, where United Airlines Flight 521 crashed during takeoff, resulting in 42 fatalities. This tragic incident highlighted the ongoing challenges in aviation safety during the post-World War II era.
  • 31 May 1946 Greek Monarchy Referendum: On May 31, 1946, Greece held a national referendum that supported the restoration of the monarchy, a significant political event in the post-World War II period that reflected the country's complex political landscape and public sentiment towards monarchical governance.