1948

What Was Happening in 1948

The NHS transforms Britain, Israel is born, and the Berlin Airlift defines the Cold War.

Born in

Number 1 Songs in 1948 — UK and US Charts

UK #1

"Buttons and Bows"

Dinah Shore

Originally from the Bob Hope film The Paleface, this cheerful novelty song was a major hit on both sides of the Atlantic.

US #1

"Twelfth Street Rag"

Pee Wee Hunt

A raucous Dixieland jazz reworking of the 1914 classic that spent eight weeks at number one on the Billboard chart.

Biggest Films of 1948 — Box Office Hits

The Red Shoes

Box Office: $5 million

Powell and Pressburger's visually stunning ballet drama starring Moira Shearer became an international sensation and is regarded as one of the greatest British films ever made.

Fashion and Style of 1948

Fashion, clothing and visual culture from the era

Architecture and Buildings of 1948

Buildings completed and structures opened in 1948

More About 1948

What Was Happening — A journey through the years