May 1948

Saturday 01:

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) is established, with Kim Il Sung as president.

Tuesday 04:

Norman Mailer's first novel, The Naked and the Dead, is published.

Friday 07:

The Council of Europe is founded during the Hague Congress.

Thursday 13:

1948 Arab-Israeli War: The Kfar Etzion massacre is committed by Arab irregulars, the day before the declaration of independence of the state of Israel on May 14.

Friday 14:

The murder of a three-year-old girl in Blackburn, northern England, leads to the fingerprinting of more than 40,000 men in the city in an attempt to find the murderer.

Saturday 15:

Egypt, Transjordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia attack Israel.

Sunday 16:

Chaim Weizmann is elected as the first President of Israel.

Tuesday 18:

The First Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China officially convenes in Nanking.

Wednesday 26:

The U.S. Congress passes Public Law 557 which permanently establishes the Civil Air Patrol as an auxiliary of the United States Air Force.

Sunday 30:

A dike along the flooding Columbia River breaks, obliterating Vanport, Oregon within minutes. Fifteen people die and tens of thousands are left homeless.