1947

World Events

• The Marshall Plan is enacted to aid European countries that were devastated by World War II.
• Jackie Robinson breaks the color barrier, while Chuck Yeager does the same to the sound barrier. Robinson does it by playing baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Yeager does it by flying a rocket-powered plane called the XS-1. Learn about how he broke sound barrier
• India and Pakistan gain independence. Nehru becomes India's first prime minister.
• The Dead Sea Scrolls are discovered near Qumran, Israel.
• Bell laboratories invents the transistor, replacing vacuum tubes.

San Diego History

• San Diego Aqueduct opens, bringing first Colorado River water to San Diego.

Arts

• Alexander Calder creates The Root; it reflects the dark mood of the war. Large dark forms surround a delicate flower that is suspended within the form. Calder's sculptures incorporated movement, humor, and drama. Create your own Mobiles and Circus figures with our Alexander Calder activity sheet(adobe acrobat required).
• Jackson Pollock abandons the brush and begins dripping paint on the canvas for his paintings.
• Dior unveils the "New Look."
• Cannes Film Festival opens.
• Kukla, Fran, and Ollie debut on television.

American Life

• Studebaker introduces the "Champion," the first post-war automobile, designed by Raymond Loewy.
• "Flying Saucers" are reported in the United States.
• More than one million war veterans enroll in colleges under the "G.I. Bill of Rights."