August 1949

Friday 05:

In Ecuador an earthquake destroys 50 towns and kills more than 6000.

Monday 08:

Bhutan becomes independent

Wednesday 10:

US President Harry S. Truman signs the National Security Bill, streamlining the defense agencies of the United States government, and replacing the National Military Establishment with the United States Department of Defense.

Wednesday 24:

The treaty creating NATO goes into effect.

Monday 29:

Soviet atomic bomb project: The Soviet Union tests its first atomic bomb, known as First Lightning or Joe 1, at Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan.