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The Cold War Events
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Truman's Doctrine
The United States commits to containing communism in Greece and Turkey under President Truman's leadership. -
Marshall Plan Proposed
U.S offers economic help to rebuild Western Europe, Proposed by US Secretary of State George Marshall in a speech at Harvard University. -
National Security Act Passed
Signed by President Truman and established the CIA and the National Security Council. This land mark legislation reorganized the U.S military's and intelligence agencies in the after math of WWII. -
Czechoslovak Coup
Communism is adopted in Czechoslovakia and the government is established. -
Berlin Blockade Begins
The USSR blocks access to West Berlin, The USSR attempted to have the Western Allies to withdraw their sectors of the city. -
Berlin Airlift Initiated
Western Allies like the United States airlifted supplies to the citizens in West Berlin during the blockade to help them survive. -
NATO Formed
North Atlantic Treaty Organization is established to help further establish relationships between nations and keep peace to help prevent another world war. -
Soviet Union Tests First Nuclear Bomb
The USSR detonates its first atomic bomb, called the "Lady Lightning" by the soviets. -
Peoples Republic of China Established
Mao Zedong (political theorist and leader) declares victory over Nationalists. -
McCarthyism Intensifies
Senator Joseph McCarthy leads an anti-communist investigations. McCarthy made a speech in West Virginia which triggered the Red Scare. -
Korean War Begins
North Korea invades South Korea. -
Rosenberg Trial
Julius and Ethel Rosenburg convicted of espionage ( the practice of spying or using spies). This trial took place in New York, where they were sentenced to death. -
Korean War Truce Talks Begin
Negotiations in Kaesong begin for the ceasefire commerce. -
U.S Hydrogen Bomb Trail
The U.S first Hydrogen Bomb was designated. These tests showed that a thermonuclear reaction could initiated under ideal conditions -
The tragic death of Buddy Holly in a plane crash
Buddy Holly died in a plane crash in 1959 at the age of 22. The crash also killed fellow musicians Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. Their deaths shocked the music world and are often called "The Day the Music Died." -
The immigration and Nationality Act
This Act upheld the national origins quota system established by the Immigration Act of 1942, reinforcing its controversial system of immigration selection. -
US Hydrogen Bomb Tested
US conducts successful Hydrogen Bomb test called "Operation Mike" in the Marshall Islands. -
Eisenhower Elected President
Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes president. -
Stalin Dies
The Soviet leader Joseph Stalin passes away. -
Khrushchev becomes First Secretary of the party's Central Committee
Following the death of Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev solidify his authority by becoming Secretary of the Central committee. -
East German Uprising
A series of protests in East Germany that was triggered by the increased work quotas and rising prices. -
Geneva Accords Signed
End of French Indochina War; Vietnam divided. -
SEATO Formed
Regional defense pact established between the US, UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, The Philippines Thailand and Pakistan. -
CIA Overthrows Guatemalan Government
A CIA-backed coup overthrew the democratically Elected government; the Guatemalan president resigned after a series of events. -
Bandung Conference Held
Asian and African nations promote non-alignment. -
Warsaw Pact Formed
Soviet-led military alliance established. -
Vietnam War Begins
A civil war in Vietnam (North and South), US involvement in the Vietnam war escalates. -
Hungarian Revolution
a nationwide revolt against the communist government in Hungary and its Soviet-imposed policies. -
Suez Crisis
Egypt nationalizes Suez Canal; Military intervention follows. -
Dwight Eisenhower Won the Re-Election
Eisenhower was re-elected, reinstating republican control in the White House. -
Passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957
The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was the first civil rights law passed since Reconstruction. It aimed to protect the voting rights of African Americans by allowing federal prosecution of those who tried to prevent voting. While limited in impact, it marked an important step toward greater federal involvement in civil rights. -
Little Rock Nine's integration of a high school in Arkansas
The Little Rock Nine were a group of Black students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. Their enrollment was met with violent resistance, and President Eisenhower sent federal troops to protect them. This event became a major moment in the Civil Rights Movement and highlighted the struggle to enforce school desegregation. -
Sputnik 1 by the Soviet Union
The first Sputnik, launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, was the world’s first artificial satellite. It was a metal sphere about the size of a beach ball that transmitted radio signals back to Earth. Its launch marked the start of the space age and sparked the space race between the U.S. and the USSR. -
United Arab Republic
The United Arab Republic was a political union between Egypt and Syria formed in 1958. It was an attempt to unify Arab nations under one government, led by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. The union was short-lived, ending in 1961 when Syria withdrew after a military coup. -
The first overland crossing of Antarctica
The first overland crossing of Antarctica was completed in 1958 by the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Led by Vivian Fuchs, the team traveled over 2,000 miles using tracked vehicles. It was a major achievement in exploration and proved that the continent could be crossed by land. -
Creation of NASA
NASA was created in 1958 in response to the Soviet launch of Sputnik and growing concerns about space exploration. It replaced the earlier National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NAsA) and focused on civilian space research and missions. NASA's creation marked the start of the U.S. space program and the space race with the Soviet Union. -
First successful test firing of a Titan intercontinental ballistic missile
The first successful test firing of a Titan intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) happened in 1959. The Titan was a powerful missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads across continents. Its development marked a key advance in the United States' nuclear and missile technology during the Cold War. -
Signing of the Antarctic Treaty by 12 countries
The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 by 12 countries, including the U.S. and the Soviet Union. It set aside Antarctica for peaceful scientific research and banned military activity on the continent. The treaty was a landmark in international cooperation during the Cold War. -
Start of the Civil Rights Movement with sit-ins becoming more prevalent
Sit-ins became a common form of protest in the early 1960s, marking a key moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Activists, mostly students, would sit at segregated lunch counters and refuse to leave. These peaceful protests helped challenge segregation and gained widespread attention. -
A recession in the United States
A recession in the United States is a period of economic decline, usually marked by falling GDP and rising unemployment. During a recession, businesses may slow down or close, and people often have less money to spend. Recessions can have widespread effects on the economy and everyday life. -
First presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon being televised
The first televised presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon took place in 1960. It was the first time voters could watch candidates speak live on TV. The debate is famous for helping Kennedy gain an edge by appearing confident and composed. -
John F. Kennedy's inauguration as the 35th President of the United States
John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States in January 1961. His speech inspired hope with famous lines like "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country." Kennedy’s inauguration marked the start of a new era of leadership during a time of change and challenge. -
Yuri Gagarin's first human space flight
Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit Earth in 1961 aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft. His successful mission made him an international hero and a symbol of Soviet space achievement. Gagarin’s flight marked a major milestone in the space race. -
The Bay of Pigs invasion
The Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 was a failed attempt by U.S.-backed Cuban exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro’s government in Cuba. The invasion quickly collapsed, embarrassing the Kennedy administration. It increased tensions between the U.S. and Cuba during the Cold War. -
First American orbital flight by John Glenn
In 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth aboard the Friendship 7 spacecraft. His successful mission boosted U.S. confidence in the space race against the Soviet Union. Glenn’s flight was a major milestone in NASA’s efforts to explore space. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 was a tense 13-day standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet missiles in Cuba. It brought the world close to nuclear war but ended with the USSR agreeing to remove the missiles. The crisis highlighted the dangers of the Cold War and led to improved communication between the two superpowers. -
The outbreak of the Sino-Indian War
The Sino-Indian War broke out in 1962 over a border dispute between China and India. The conflict lasted about a month and ended with a Chinese victory. The war increased tensions between the two countries and affected their relationship for years. -
The discovery of the Cosmic Microwave Background
Discovered by scientists Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson. It is the faint leftover radiation from the Big Bang. This discovery provided strong evidence for the origin of the universe and helped shape modern cosmology. -
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place in 1963 and drew hundreds of thousands of people. It was a major civil rights rally where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. The march helped push for civil rights legislation and greater racial equality. -
Assassination of President John F. Kennedy
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. His death shocked the nation and led to widespread mourning. The assassination had a profound impact on American history and politics. -
The Beatles' arrival in America
The Beatles arrived in America in 1964, sparking "Beatlemania" across the country. Their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show introduced them to millions of viewers. This event marked the start of the British Invasion and changed American music forever. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark law that banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It ended segregation in public places and schools. The act was a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement and helped promote equality. -
Passage of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was passed in 1964 after reports of attacks on U.S. ships by North Vietnam. It gave President Johnson broad authority to increase U.S. military involvement in Vietnam. The resolution led to a major escalation of the Vietnam War. -
The beginning of Operation Rolling Thunder in Vietnam
Operation Rolling Thunder began in 1965 as a sustained bombing campaign by the United States against North Vietnam. Its goal was to weaken the enemy’s war effort and boost South Vietnamese morale. The operation marked a major escalation in U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. -
Passage of the Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965 to protect the voting rights of African Americans. It banned literacy tests and other barriers that had been used to suppress Black voters. The law was a major achievement of the Civil Rights Movement. -
The Watts Riots
The Watts Riots broke out in Los Angeles in 1965 after an incident of police brutality. The unrest lasted six days, resulting in deaths, injuries, and widespread damage. The riots highlighted racial tensions and issues of inequality in urban America. -
Announcement of a merger between the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL)
In 1966, the NFL and AFL announced a merger to create one unified professional football league. The agreement included a common draft and plans for a championship game, later known as the Super Bowl. The merger helped grow the popularity of professional football in the U.S. -
US Supreme Court ruled in Miranda v. Arizona
In 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Miranda v. Arizona that suspects must be informed of their rights before police questioning. This led to the creation of the "Miranda rights," including the right to remain silent and to have a lawyer. The decision strengthened protections against self-incrimination. -
The US began bombing Hanoi and Haiphong in the Vietnam War
In 1966, the U.S. began bombing the North Vietnamese cities of Hanoi and Haiphong during the Vietnam War. These bombings targeted military and industrial sites to weaken North Vietnam’s war effort. The attacks marked a deeper escalation of the conflict.