On 5 July 1948, Aneurin Bevan, the Labour Minister of Health, launched the National Health Service at the Park Hospital in Manchester, giving everyone in Britain free medical care at the point of use, funded by general taxation. It nationalised some 2,700 hospitals, and brought together doctors, dentists, opticians and pharmacists. Many doctors resisted, and Bevan said that he had to 'stuff their mouths with gold'. Demand was far above expectations, and the first costs overshot budgets. It became the largest employer in Europe and one of the most loved British institutions. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland now run their own services.
Before and after
- 31 May 1948Birth of Svetlana Alexievich
- 5 June 1948Construction of National Diet Library
- from 16 June 1948 to 12 July 1960Malayan Emergency
- from 23 June 1948 to 12 May 1949Berlin Blockade
- 5 July 1948The National Health Service begins in Britain
- 8 July 1948First flight of Ilyushin Il-28
- 26 July 1948Executive Order 9981
- 29 July 1948The Stoke Mandeville Games for disabled athletes
- 23 August 1948Founding of World Council of Churches
More in Society, economy & sport
- 5 October 1948Founding of International Union for Conservation of Nature
- 5 May 1949Founding of Council of Europe
- 1960Founding of Somalia
- 1 October 1963Founding of Nigeria
- 1985Introduction of new shekel
- 1990Rise of K-pop
The era
This moment belongs to the Contemporary world (1945 CE to today), the world since 1945. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.