October 1949

Saturday 01:

1949 - First rectangular television tubes manufactured by Kimble Glass.

Wednesday 05:

WSAZ, the United States' first television station, located in Huntington, West Virginia, begins broadcasting.

Friday 07:

1949 - One of the earliest television shows, "Ford Theater" debuts

Friday 14:

Eleven leaders of the U.S. Communist Party are convicted, after a nine-month trial, of conspiring to advocate the violent overthrow of the U.S. government. Ten defendants are sentenced to 5 years in prison each, and the eleventh to 3 years. The Supreme Court upheld the convictions on June 4, 1951.

Sunday 16:

Nikos Zakhiariadis, leader of the Communist Party of Greece, announces a "temporary cease-fire", effectively ending the Greek Civil War.

Thursday 27:

An airliner flying from Paris to New York crashes near the Azores. Among the victims are violinist Ginette Neveu and boxer Marcel Cerdan.

Friday 28:

Georges Bidault becomes Prime Minister of France