First meeting of UN General Assembly opens in London (Jan. 10).

Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech warns of Soviet expansion (March 5).

League of Nations dissolved (April).

Italy abolishes monarchy (June).

Verdict in Nuremberg war trial: 12 Nazi leaders (including 1 tried in absentia) sentenced to hang; 7 imprisoned; 3 acquitted (Oct. 1).

Goering commits suicide a few hours before 10 other Nazis are executed (Oct. 15).

Juan Perón becomes president of Argentina.

Benjamin Spock's childcare classic published

Kaiser and Frazer cars debut

Bendix builds power steering for trucks