A film depicts steps in Libyan independence. Allied soldiers on tanks during World War II. A tank goes past a ruined building. People gathered look as the Union Jack is unfurled. People read a proclamation pasted on a wall. Ruins of World War II. A meeting in the United Nations in 1945 where it is suggested that Libya be placed under temporary UN trusteeship. A resolution in the UN on 21st November, 1949 to create an independent Libya. The Russian delegate to the UN states his disagreement. The United Kingdom delegate speaks in favor of the resolution. A UN aircraft lands and taxis in Libya. Advisory Council members, led by Mustafa Qasim Mizran, who is first to exit the plane and is head of the National Party and Director of the School of Arts and Trades in Tripoli, are joined by UN Commissioner in Libya Adrian Pelt as they are greeted by dignitaries. The headquarters of the Commissioner and the Advisory Council in Tripoli. A sign reads 'Office of the United Nations Commissioner in Libya'. Members of the Advisory Council include representatives from Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, Fezzan, Egypt, France, Italy, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, the United States and a minority group delegate. Cars carrying the representatives drive out of the gates of the headquarters. They meet people to become aware of their problems. People greet the UN Commissioner and the members of the Advisory Council. A visit to Benghazi where they meet the Emir of Cyrenaica. People holding placards in front of the Emir's palace to greet the Advisory Council. They meet the Emir, who is the religious Muslim leader, in his place. The headquarters of the Commissioner and the Advisory Council, where Mustafa Qasim Mizran is seen touching his face, as he stands behind king Idris,
Eight months old Prince Charles poses for a portrait in England. Then Princess Elizabeth of the United Kingdom and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, push a pram. Their eight month old son Prince Charles in a pram. The British Princess gives a toy to Charles. He plays with the toy. Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, picks up his son from the pram. He sits on a mat holding Charles. The Princess stands in the background. Charles playing with toys. The Princess, Phillip and their son. Princess Elizabeth and Prince Charles together. Charles plays with a string of pearls around his mother's neck.
Britain's Military Academy at Sandhurst, presents a Silver Service to be used at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Major General John Leonard, U.S. Army, military attaché in the United Kingdom, accepts the Silver Service, on behalf of the West Point Academy. The Sandhurst cadets march past in a parade ground. Britain's War Secretary, Emmanuel Shinwell, and General Leonard review the marching cadets.
A documentary 'The Years of Decision' reviews the beginning of the Marshall Plan in response to recovery needs of the European people following World War 2. Busy streets and sidewalks filled with pedestrians in London as people walk in the city. Double decker buses and other vehicles driving past on a road in the background. People in France walking on streets of city, sitting in cafes, and buying food, produce, textiles and other items from market vendors with stalls and carts. Men and women buy things from shops. Scene changes to the Netherlands, with many men riding bicycles arriving or departing work at Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam (Heineken Brouwerij on Stadhouderskade). The Dutch words “Stoom Bierbrouwerij” (Steam Brewery) are seen on the building. A Dutch man in a textile factory works at a weaving machine. Scene changes to a coal mine area in the United Kingdom. British coal miners sitting in a train headed into a mine. A worker at the Fiat factory in Turin, Italy measures a small steel part used in manufacturing cars. Cattle on a farm walk near barns. A French farmer in France driving a tractor.
"Get your new ration books and identity cards here" seen written on a sign. British civilians line up to obtain new post-war ration books, after the end of World War 2. Women shopping for rationed food. British ships idle in ports as exports wane. View of New York harbor with tugs and barges and Manhattan skyline and skyscrapers in background. Woman holding poster advertising First International Auto Show (held from February 5-10, 1949, at the Sixty-ninth Regiment Armory, Twenty-fifth Street and Lexington Avenue, in New York City), including European cars to be shown in New York City. British cars in their first car show. One of the cars shown is the 1948 Ghost Minx with two women seated inside it. A 1948 Jaguar convertible is also shown. Communist parades in Europe and Asia. Start of Marshall Plan to help Europe rebuild after the war. Newspaper shows President Truman signing Foreign Aid Bill (led to Marshall Plan).
A circus show in England. Clowns, animals and performers walk through an arena and start the show. Elephants stand on a stool. A chimpanzee rides a bicycle. Spectators applaud. A boy laughing. Women spin on ropes hanging from a ceiling. A bear wearing a dress rides a bicycle. A clown entertains children with his acts. Children in the stands laughing and smiling happily. Three different high wire tightrope acts including a man jumping rope while crossing the tightrope, a man walking on a tight rope holding an umbrella, and two women forming a human wheel barrow crossing the high wire tightrope.