1949 Historical Highlights​

• The United States joined 11 other nations in forming the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a mutual defense alliance designed to protect Western Europe from potential Soviet aggression.

• The nation formerly known as Siam officially adopted the name Thailand.

• President Harry S. Truman unveiled his “Fair Deal” program in his inaugural address, calling for national health insurance, a higher minimum wage, and equal rights protections for all Americans.

1949 Pop Culture & Fun Facts

• Charles Lubin renamed his small chain of Community Bake Shops to Kitchens of Sara Lee — honoring his daughter and launching what would become a household brand.

• The first credit card, the Diners Club card, debuted in 1949. It was made of cardboard and could be used at select restaurants.

• The inaugural Emmy Awards ceremony took place at the Hollywood Athletic Club, celebrating excellence in television for the very first time.

• Grady the Cow, a 1,200-pound dairy cow, became a national sensation after getting stuck inside a silo on a farm in Yukon, Oklahoma — drawing widespread media attention.

• George Orwell published his dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four in London, introducing readers to the chilling world of “Big Brother.”

1949 Inventions & First Appearances​​​

• ​RCA introduced 7-inch vinyl records, also known as 45s.

• New consumer products hit the market in 1949, including Golden Crisp breakfast cereal, Joy dishwashing liquid, Junior Mints, Kraft singles, LEGO construction toys, the photocopier, Rise shaving cream, Robitussin, Silly Putty, and Whoppers.

• ​The “Hollywoodland” sign officially became the “Hollywood” sign, when the City of Los Angeles removed “land” from the “Hollywood” sign.

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Sports Highlights of 1949​

• The Basketball Association of America merged with the National Basketball League to form the National Basketball Association (NBA).

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• World Series Champions: New York Yankees

• NFL Champions: Philadelphia Eagles

• NBA Champions: Minneapolis Lakers

• Stanley Cup Champs: Toronto Maple Leafs

• U.S. Open Golf Cary Middlecoff

• U.S. Tennis: (Men/Ladies) Richard A. Gonzales/Margaret Osborne DuPont

• Wimbledon (Men/Women): Ted Schroeder/Louis Brough

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​​​​​​​​​Top Songs of 1949

• Vaughn Monroe – Riders In The Sky

• Frankie Laine – That Lucky Old Sun

• Vic Damone – You’re Breaking My Heart

• Perry Como – Some Enchanted Evening

• Jimmy Wakely and Margaret Whiting – Slipping Around

• The Andrews Sisters and Gordon Jenkins – I Can Dream, Can’t I

• Russ Morgan – Cruising Down the River

• Evelyn Knight – A Little Bird Told Me

• Frankie Laine – Mule Train

• Al Morgan – Jealous Heart

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Top Movies of 1949

• Samson and Delilah

• Pinky

• Come to the Stable

• Sands of Iwo Jima

• I Was a Male War Bride

• Twelve O'Clock High

• She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

• Neptune's Daughter

• In the Good Old Summertime

• On the Town