What Happened in April 1948

Historical Events

Marshall Plan Signed

Apr 3 US President Harry Truman signs the Marshall Plan to rebuild war-torn Western Europe after World War II, granting an initial $5 billion in aid to 16 European countries

Mack vs Griffith

Apr 4 84-year-old Connie Mack challenges 78-year-old Clark Griffith to a race from home to 1st base; it ends in a tie

Apr 5 WGN TV channel 9 in Chicago, IL (IND) begins broadcasting
Apr 7 A Buddhist monastery burns in Shanghai, China, leaving twenty monks dead
Apr 7 World Health Organization is formed by the United Nations
Apr 8 Soen Nakagawa & Nyogen Senzaki (Zen teachers) meet in San Francisco
Apr 9 Massacre at Deir Yassin.
Apr 10 Jewish Hagana repels an Arab attack on Mishmar HaEmek

12th US Masters

Apr 11 12th US Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: Claude Harmon shoots a record-tying 279 (−9) to finish 5 strokes ahead of runner-up Cary Middlecoff

Apr 13 Hadassah Convoy Massacre: Vehicles bringing Jewish staff and medical supplies to Hadassah Hospital and University on Mount Scopus, Jerusalem attacked by Arab forces; 79 killed by bombs, grenades, and sniper fire
Apr 14 A flash of light is observed in crater Plato on Moon
Apr 14 NYC subway fares jump from 5 cents to 10 cents
Apr 14 Stanley Cup Final, Olympia Stadium, Detroit, MI: Toronto Maple Leafs go back-to-back with a 7-2 win over Detroit Red Wings for a 4-0 series sweep
Apr 14 US performs atmospheric nuclear test at Enwetak
Apr 15 1st Jewish-Arab military battle, arabs defeated
Apr 15 Indian territory of Himachal Pradesh created
Apr 15 KCPX (now KTVX) TV channel 4 in Salt Lake City, UT (ABC) 1st broadcast
Apr 16 Organization for European Economic Cooperation (EEC) forms in Paris

Elpidio Quirino President

Apr 17 Elpidio Quirino assumes the Presidency of the Philippines, taking his oath of office two days after the death of President Manuel Roxas

6th President of the Philippines Elpidio Quirino

Apr 19 52nd Boston Marathon won by Gerard Cote of Canada in 2:31:02; his 4th victory in the event
Apr 19 American Broadcasting Company (ABC) TV network debuts

Chiang Kai-shek President

Apr 19 Chiang Kai-shek elected President of Nationalist China

Chinese Military and Political Leader Chiang Kai-shek

Apr 20 NYC hikes subway fare from 5 cents to 10 cents
Apr 20 Walter P. Reuther UAW President shot & wounded at his home in Detroit
Apr 21 Basketball Association of America Finals: Baltimore Bullets beat Philadelphia Warriors, 88-73 to take series, 4 games to 2
Apr 22 WTVR TV channel 6 in Richmond, VA (CBS) begins broadcasting
Apr 23 KSTP TV channel 5 in St Paul-Minneapolis, MN (ABC) 1st broadcast
Apr 27 Arab legion attacks Gesher bridge on Jordan River
Apr 30 Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz's musical revue "Inside USA" opens at the New Century Theater, later transferring to the Majestic, NYC; runs for 339 performances
Apr 30 Organization of American States charter signed at Bogotá, Colombia
Apr 30 US performs atmospheric nuclear test at Enwetak

Events in 1948

Famous Birthdays

Apr 1 J. J. Williams, Welsh rugby union winger (30 caps Wales, 7 British & Irish Lions; Grand Slam 1976, 78), born in Nantyffyllon, Wales (d. 2020)
Apr 1 Javier Irureta, Spanish soccer midfielder (6 caps; Atlético Madrid, Athletic Bilbao) and manager (Deportivo La Coruña 1998-2005), born in Irun, Spain
Apr 1 Simon Crowe, Irish rock drummer (Boomtown Rats - "I Don't Like Mondays"), born in Dublin, Ireland
Apr 1 Willie Montañez, Puerto Rican baseball first baseman (MLB All Star 1977; Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves), born in Cataño, Puerto Rico
Apr 2 Danny Ford, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (National C'ship, Clemson University 1981; University of Arkansas; career record 122–59–5), born in Gadsden, Alabama
Apr 2 Dimitris Mitropanos, Greek singer, born in Trikala, Greece (d. 2012)
Apr 2 Jim McDaniels, American basketball forward (All American 1971; Western Kentucky Uni; No. 1 overall pick ABA Draft 1971; ABA All-Star 1972; Carolina Cougars), born in Scottsville, Kentucky (d. 2017)
Apr 2 Joan D. Vinge, American sci-fi author (2 Hugos, Dune), born in Baltimore, Maryland
Apr 2 Roy Gerela American NFL placekicker (Super Bowl 1974, 75, 78; Pro Bowl 1972, 74; Pittsburgh Steelers), born in Sarrail, Alberta
Apr 3 Arlette Cousture, French Canadian writer (Les filles de Caleb), born in Saint-Lambert, Quebec, Canada
Apr 3 Garrick Ohlsson, American concert pianist (International Busoni winner, 1966; Chopin Prize, 1970), born in Bronxville, New York
Apr 3 Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Dutch politician (CDA), born in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Apr 3 Mary Gordon-Watson, British equestrian 3 day event (Olympic gold 1972), born in Blandford, Dorset
Apr 4 Berry Oakley, American rocker and bass player (The Allman Brothers Band), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1972)
Apr 4 Dan Simmons, American sci-fi and horror writer (Song of Kali), born in Peoria, Illinois
Apr 4 David "Pick" Withers, British rock and jazz drummer (Dire Straits, 1977-82), born in Leicester, England

Apr 4 Derek Thompson, Northern Irish actor (Charlie Fairhead - Casualty), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Apr 5 Dave Holland, English heavy metal rocker (Judas Priest - "Breakin' The Law"), born in Northampton, England (d. 2018)
Apr 5 Hans Theessink, Dutch blues guitarist, mandolin player, singer-songwriter, born in Enschede, Netherlands
Apr 6 Patrika Darbo, American actress
Apr 6 Vítězslav Mácha, Czech Greco-Roman wrestler (Olympic gold welterweight 1972, silver 1976; World C'ship gold 1974, 77), born in Krmelín, Czech Republic (d. 2023)
Apr 7 Arnie Robinson Jr., American athlete (Olympic gold long jump 1976; bronze 1972), born in San Diego, California (d. 2020)
Apr 7 Carol Douglas, American disco singer ("Doctor's Orders"), born in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City
Apr 7 Dallas Taylor, American session drummer (Crosby, Stills & Nash; Clear Light), born in Denver, Colorado (d. 2015)
Apr 7 Pietro Anastasi, Italian soccer striker (25 caps; Juventus, Ascoli, Inter), born in Catania, Italy (d. 2020)
Apr 7 Ronnie Wilson, American R&B keyboardist (Gap Band - "Burn Rubber On Me"), born in Tulsa, Oklahoma (d. 2021)
Apr 8 Michael Leshner, Canadian lawyer and gay rights advocate

Robert Allen Litchfield (76 years old)

Apr 8 American bank robber who was on the FBI most wanted list in the 1980s

Apr 9 Jaya Bachchan, Indian actress and politician, born in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
Apr 9 Philip Wright, British rock drummer, and singer (Paper Lace -"The Night Chicago Died"), born in St. Ann's, Nottingham, England
Apr 10 Fred Smith, American rock bassist (Television - "Marquee Moon"; Blondie, 1974-75), born in New York City
Apr 10 Mel Blount, American Pro Football HOF cornerback (Super Bowl 1974, 75, 78, 79 Pittsburgh Steelers; NFL Defensive Player of the Year 1975; First-team All-Pro 1975, 81; 5 × Pro Bowl), born in Vidalia, Georgia
Apr 10 Tom Spencer, British politician (Conservative)
Apr 11 Georgi Yartsev, Russian soccer forward (5 caps USSR; FC Spartak Moscow) and manager (Russia; Spartak, Dynamo, Torpedo Moscow), born in Nikolskoye, Russia (d. 2022)
Apr 11 Marcello Lippi, Italian football coach, born in Viareggio, Italy
Apr 12 Bill Ashurst, English rugby league second rower (3 Tests GB; Wigan, Penrith RLFC, Wakefield Trinity), born in Ince-in-Makerfield, England (d. 2022)
Apr 12 Jeremy Beadle, English television presenter (Beadle's About), born in London, England (d. 2008)
Apr 12 Joschka Fischer, German politician and Foreign Minister of Germany (1998-2005), born in Gerabronn, Germany
Apr 12 Lois Reeves, American singer (Martha and the Vandellas, 1969-72), born in Detroit, Michigan
Apr 12 Raphick Jumadeen, West Indian cricket spin bowler (12 Tests, 29 wickets, BB 4/72, 1 x 50; T&T), born in Gasparillo, Trinidad and Tobago (d. 2023)
Apr 13 Amy Robinson, American writer and actress (Mean Streets), born in Trenton, New Jersey
Apr 13 Brian Griffen, British photographer (album cover art for Depeche Mode, Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson), music video, commercial and documentary film maker, born in Birmingham, England
Apr 13 Nam Hae-il, 25th Chief of Naval Operations of Republic of Korea Navy
Apr 13 Sue Doughty, British politician (MP for Guildford), born in York, England
Apr 13 [Piet] "Peter" Sweval, American rock bassist (Looking Glass - "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" ; Starz - "Cherry Baby"), born in Toms River, New Jersey (d. 1990)
Apr 14 Anastasios Papaligouras, Greek lawyer and politician, born in Athens, Greece
Apr 14 Berinthia "Berry" Berenson, American photographer, actress and model, born in New York City (d. 2001)
Apr 14 Chester G. Atkins, American politician (Rep-D-Mass 1985-93), born in Geneva, Switzerland
Apr 14 Larry Ferguson, keyboardist (Hot Chocolate - "You Sexy Thing"), born in Nassau, Bahamas
Apr 15 Jan Krzywicki, American classical music composer, conductor (Network for New Music, 1990-), and educator (Temple University), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Apr 15 Michael Kamen, American composer and arranger (film scores to Brazil and Mr. Holland's Opus; Pink Floyd), born in New York City (d. 2003)
Apr 16 Lynne Franks, British public relations consultant, born in London
Apr 16 Robert Kirby, British music arranger (Nick Drake), born in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire (d. 2009)
Apr 17 Jan Hammer, Czech-American rock keyboardist (Mahavishnu Orchestra; Jeff Beck), and composer ("Miami Vice Theme"), born in Prague, Czechoslovakia

Nate Archibald (76 years old)

Apr 18 American NBA guard and 6× NBA All-Star (Cincinnati Royals; Boston Celtics), born in New York City

Apr 18 Catherine Malfitano, American soprano (Metropolitan Opera), and opera director, born in New York City
Apr 19 Rick Miller, American baseball player, born in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Apr 20 Craig Frost, American keyboardist (Grand Funk Railroad - "Some Kind of Wonderful"; Bob Seger), born in Flint, Michigan
Apr 20 Gregory Itzin, American film and TV actor (The Kentucky Cycle), born in Washington, D.C.
Apr 20 Rémy Trudel, French Canadian politician, born in Sainte-Thècle, Quebec, Canada
Apr 20 Rob Stoner [Rothstein], American session and touring bassist (Bob Dylan), and singer-songwriter, born in New York City
Apr 21 Gary Condit, American politician (Rep-D-California 1989-2003, affair with Chandra Levy), born in Salina, Oklahoma
Apr 21 Max Wyndham, 2nd Baron Egremont, English peer and author
Apr 21 Paul Davis, American country-rock-pop singer-songwriter and piano player ("I Go Crazy"; "65 Love Affair"), born in Meridian, Mississippi (d. 2008)
Apr 22 Carol Drinkwater, Anglo-Irish actress (Father, All Creatures Great & Small) and author (The Haunted School, Provence), born in London
Apr 23 Essra Mohawk [Sandra Hurvitz], American singer-songwriter, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 2023) [1]
Apr 23 Pascal Quignard, French author (Les Ombres), born in Verneuil-sur-Avre, Eure, France
Apr 23 Serge Thériault, French Canadian comedian and actor (Ding et Dong), born in Quebec City, Canada
Apr 23 Tessa Wyatt, English actress (Beast in the Cellar; Wedding Night), born in Woking, Surrey, England
Apr 24 Benzion Freshwater, English multi-millionaire property investor, born in Sassov, Galicia, Poland
Apr 24 Eddie James Hart, American 4x100m relay runner (Olympic gold 1972), born in Martinez, California
Apr 24 Paul Cellucci, American politician, 69th Governor of Massachusetts and former United States Ambassador to Canada, born in Hudson, Massachusetts (d. 2013)
Apr 24 Steve York, British session and touring rock bassist (Vinegar Joe; Marianne Faithful), born in London, England
Apr 25 Mike Selvey, English cricket fast bowler (3 Tests, 6 wickets; Middlesex), born in Chiswick, England
Apr 25 Yu Shyi-kun, Premier of the Republic of China (2002-05), born in Dongshan, Yilan County, China
Apr 26 Boyd Matson, TV host/correspondent (National Geographic Explorer)
Apr 26 Gerry Sikorski, American politician (Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota), born in Breckenridge, Minnesota
Apr 27 Amrit Kumar Bohara, Nepalese politician, leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist)
Apr 27 Frank William Abagnale, Jr., American con artist turned security consultant, born in Bronxville, New York
Apr 27 Kate Pierson, American vocalist and guitarist (B-52's - "Rock Lobster"; "Love Shack"), born in Weehawken, New Jersey
Apr 28 Dorothée Berryman, Canadian stage and screen actress (The Decline of the American Empire), and jazz singer, born in Quebec City, Quebec
Apr 28 Marcia Strassman, American actress (M*A*S*H; Welcome Back, Kotter - "Julie Kotter"), born in New York City (d. 2014)
Apr 28 Martyn Ford, British classically trained horn player and rock orchestral arranger-conductor (Caravan; Bryan Ferry; Barclay James Harvest; Phil Colllins), born in Rugby, England

Terry Pratchett (1948-2015)

Apr 28 English author of fantasy novels (Discworld), born in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

Apr 29 Bruce Cutler, American attorney (defended John Gotti)
Apr 29 Reb Brown, American actor (Cage, Yor, Capt America, Fast Break), born in Los Angeles, California
Apr 30 Perry King, American actor (Andy Warhol's Bad; Riptide; The Hasty Heart), born in Alliance, Ohio
Apr 30 Wayne Kramer [Kambes], American guitarist (MC5 - "Kick Out The Jams"), and record producer, born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 2024) [1]

Born in 1948

Famous Weddings

Lana Turner

Apr 26 American movie actress Lana Turner (27) weds 3rd husband, millionaire socialite Henry J. "Bob" Topping, Jr, In Los Angeles, California; divorce in 1952

Famous Deaths

Apr 2 Sabahattin Ali, Turkish poet, author and journalist (Esirler, Içimizdeki Şeytan), killed at 41
Apr 8 Josef Kjellgren, Swedish writer (Guldkedjan), dies at 40
Apr 9 George Carpenter, 5th General of The Salvation Army, dies at 75
Apr 9 Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, Colombian politician (b. 1903)

Manuel Roxas (1892-1948)

Apr 15 5th President of the Philippines (1946-48), dies of a heart attack at 56

Apr 15 Radola Gajda, Czech military commander and politician, dies at 56
Apr 17 Johan Paul van Limburg Stirum, Dutch diplomat (Governor General of the Dutch East Indies 1916-21), dies at 75
Apr 17 Percy Sherwell, South African cricket wicketkeeper and captain (13 Tests, 1 x 100, 36 dismissals; Transvaal), dies at 67
Apr 21 Carlos Lopez Buchardo, Argentine composer, dies at 66
Apr 24 Jāzeps Vītols, Latvian composer, dies at 84
Apr 24 Manuel Ponce, Mexican composer (Ferial), dies at 65
Apr 24 Rosita Marstini, actress (I Cover Waterfront, Big Parade), dies at 54

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