1948 Summer Olympics open in London 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 29 1948)


Video: 'London 1948 Olympic Games - Olympic Flame & Opening Ceremony'

(Thursday, July 29, 1948, 4:00 p.m. BST) — 75,000 people jammed Wembley Stadium in London this afternoon as King George VI of England declared the 1948 Summer Olympics officially open, the first Summer Olympics since the Berlin Games in 1936.

4,104 athletes (3,714 men, 390 women) from 59 nations competed in 136 events in 17 sports (23 disciplines) through Aug. 14, 1948.

The United States won the most gold medals (38) and took home the most medals (84).


Video: 'London 1948 Olympics - Official Full Film'