Why was 1949 a significant year?

(Q) Why was 1949 a significant year? In 1949 the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' had a Conference about the London Declaration, enabling India to remain in the Commonwealth despite them becoming a republic, creating the position of 'Head of the Commonwealth.

Communists forces gain power in China; nationalists flee to Taiwan

North Atlantic Treaty Organization established

Soviet Union detonates its first atomic bomb

Israel admitted to U. N.

Soviet Union lifts Berlin blockade; Berlin airlift ends

Apartheid becomes official government policy in South Africa

West Germany, East Germany formally established as nations

Vietnam, Indonesia gain sovereignty