WHAT HAPPENED IN 20. CENTURY
Find out what all happened in the 20. century

Safety glass in vehicle windscreens becomes mandatory in the United Kingdom. (1. January 1937)

Sydney, Australia, swelters in 45 ˚C (113 ˚F) heat, a record for the city. (1. January 1939)

The Declaration by United Nations is signed by twenty-six nations. (1. January 1942)

World War II: In retaliation for the Malmedy massacre, U.S. troops massacre 30 SS prisoners at Chenogne. (1. January 1945)

World War II: The German Luftwaffe launches Operation Bodenplatte, a massive, but failed attempt to knock out Allied air power in northern Europe in a single blow. (1. January 1945)

The American and British occupation zones in Germany, after World War II, merge to form the Bizone, that later became West Germany. (1. January 1947)

The Canadian Citizenship Act 1946 comes into effect, converting British subjects into Canadian citizens. Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King becomes the first Canadian citizen. (1. January 1947)

The British railway network is nationalized to form British Railways. (1. January 1948)

The Constitution of Italy comes into force. (1. January 1948)

United Nations cease-fire takes effect in Kashmir from one minute before midnight. War between India and Pakistan stops accordingly. (1. January 1949)

Standard practice uses this day as the origin of the age scale Before Present (1. January 1950)

NBC makes the first coast-to-coast NTSC color broadcast when it telecast the Tournament of Roses Parade, with public demonstrations given across the United States on prototype color receivers. (1. January 1954)

Sudan achieves independence from Egypt and the United Kingdom. (1. January 1956)

A new year event causes panic and stampedes at Yahiko Shrine, Yahiko, Niigata, Japan, killing at least 124 people. (1. January 1956)

George Town, Penang becomes a city by a royal charter granted by Elizabeth II. (1. January 1957)

An Irish Republican Army (IRA) unit attacks Brookeborough RUC barracks during Operation Harvest; two IRA volunteers killed. (1. January 1957)

The European Economic Community is established. (1. January 1958)

Fulgencio Batista, dictator of Cuba, is overthrown by Fidel Castro's forces during the Cuban Revolution. (1. January 1959)

Cameroon achieves independence from France and the United Kingdom. (1. January 1960)

Western Samoa achieves independence from New Zealand; its name is changed to the Independent State of Western Samoa. (1. January 1962)