1949

Events

January 1 - A United Nations-sponsored ceasefire brings an end to the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. The war results in a stalemate and the division of Kashmir.
February 12 - Muslim Brotherhood founder Hassan al-Banna is assassinated in Cairo during an operation ordered by King Farouk of Egypt.
March 25 to 28 - The Communist Party of the Soviet Union orders the mass deportation of kulaks from the Baltic states. This is known as Operation Priboi.
June 30 - The Workers' Party of Korea is founded by Kim Il-sung to serve as the ruling political party of North Korea.
July 2 - The State of Vietnam is declared in opposition to Ho Chi Minh's North Vietnam. Former Emperor Bảo Đại is named Chief of State.
August 5 - The 1949 Menarsha synagogue attack takes place in Damascus, Syria, when several hand grenades are thrown into the synagogue, killing 12 people. The culprits were later revealed to be a gang of militant Islamists operating in the area.
September 6 - The Walk of Death: Howard Unruh commits a mass shooting in his neighborhood in Camden, New Jersey, killing 13 people.
October 1 - Mao Zedong declares the formation of the People's Republic of China.
October 16 - End of the Greek Civil War.
December 7 - Chiang Kai-shek orders the Kuomintang to formally withdraw from mainland China. They subsequently retreat to Taiwan. End of the Chinese Civil War.
December 16 - Sukarno is elected president of the Republic of Indonesia.