Category Archives: Cold War

Winston Churchill delivers his ‘Iron Curtain’ speech 80 years ago this hour (Mar 5 1946)

1940s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain speech" regarding USSR and Eastern Bloc, at Wes...HD Stock Footage'

(Tuesday, March 5, 1946, around 4:00 p.m. CST) — In what is considered one of the opening volleys of the Cold War, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill condemned the Soviet Union’s policies in Europe today during a speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, declaring “From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent, allowing police governments to rule Eastern Europe.” Continue reading Winston Churchill delivers his ‘Iron Curtain’ speech 80 years ago this hour (Mar 5 1946) →

‘Ballad of the Green Berets’ by SSgt Barry Sadler peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago today (Mar 5 1966)

1960s, Cold War, Popular Music 1960s, Vietnam War

(Saturday, March 5, 1966; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — “Ballad of the Green Berets” by SSgt Barry Sadler peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for five consecutive weeks (Mar. 5/12/19/26, Apr. 2, 1966). Continue reading ‘Ballad of the Green Berets’ by SSgt Barry Sadler peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago today (Mar 5 1966) →

‘Russians’ by Sting peaks at #16 in USA 40 years ago today (Mar 1 1986)

1980s, Cold War, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, March 1, 1986; during the Cold War) — “Russians” by Sting peaked at #16 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Russians’ by Sting peaks at #16 in USA 40 years ago today (Mar 1 1986) →

South Korean troops accused of killing hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in Binh Dinh province 60 years ago today (Feb 26 1966)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War

(Saturday, February 26, 1966; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The Tay Vinh massacre, in which as many as 168 civilians were killed, was reported to have been carried out today by soldiers of the ROK Capital Division of the South Korean Army stationed in South Vietnam. Continue reading South Korean troops accused of killing hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in Binh Dinh province 60 years ago today (Feb 26 1966) →

Soviet leader Khrushchev lashes out at Stalin in ‘Secret Speech’ 70 years ago this hour (Feb 25 1956)

1950s, Cold War


Video: 'Khrushchev Secret Speech'

(Saturday, February 25, 1956, shortly after midnight; during the Cold War) — In a sensational “Secret Speech” to the 20th Congress of the Communist Party, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev denounced Joseph Stalin today as a brutal despot, painting a graphic picture of a regime of “suspicion, fear, and terror” built up under the former dictator, who died three years ago.

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson pledges stronger war effort in Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (Feb 8 1966)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'Beyond the War (The Honolulu Conference) Feb. 5-8, 1966. MP799.' (Feb. 8, 1966, at 12:13)

(Tuesday, February 8, 1966, 12:00 noon Hawaii Standard Time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and South Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Cao Ky concluded their meetings in Hawaii today by issuing the “Declaration of Honolulu,” which asserted the resolve of their countries to defeat the Communists. Continue reading U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson pledges stronger war effort in Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (Feb 8 1966) →

Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler, The Four Tops perform on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 60 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1966)

1960s, Cold War, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s, Vietnam War


Video: 'Ballad of the Green Berets - SSGT Barry Sadler [1966]'

(Sunday, January 30, 1966, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler performed “Ballad of the Green Berets” on tonight’s live edition of the CBS-TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show from CBS Studio No. 50 in New York City. Continue reading Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler, The Four Tops perform on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 60 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1966) →

George H.W. Bush sworn in as CIA director 50 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1976)

1970s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'George H.W. Bush in 1976'

(Friday, January 30, 1976, 11:02 a.m. EST) — George H.W. Bush, with President Gerald Ford in attendance, was sworn in today as the 11th Director of Central Intelligence (replacing William Colby) to head the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, recently rocked by a series of revelations, including those based on investigations by the Church Committee regarding illegal and unauthorized activities. Continue reading George H.W. Bush sworn in as CIA director 50 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1976) →

U.S. B-52 carrying four unarmed hydrogen bombs crashes on Spanish coast 60 years ago this hour (Jan 17 1966)

1960s, Cold War


Video: '17th January 1966: Palomares incident sees a B-52 mid-air collision and dropping four nuclear bombs'

(Monday, January 17, 1966, 10:22 a.m. Central European Time; during the Cold War) — A U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber carrying four hydrogen bombs collided with a KC-135 tanker aircraft during a midair refueling operation today, scattering nuclear weapons over the southeastern coast of Spain and touching off an intensive American and Spanish search for one bomb still missing. Continue reading U.S. B-52 carrying four unarmed hydrogen bombs crashes on Spanish coast 60 years ago this hour (Jan 17 1966) →

LBJ asks domestic reform, stands firm on Vietnam in State of the Union address 60 years ago this hour (Jan 12 1966)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'CBS News Special Report: LBJ's State of the Union address IN COLOR (January 12, 1966)'

(Wednesday, January 12, 1966, 9:04 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — In his third State of the Union message, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson pledged soberly tonight to stay in Vietnam “until aggression has stopped” but also promised to continue and expand the Great Society at home. Continue reading LBJ asks domestic reform, stands firm on Vietnam in State of the Union address 60 years ago this hour (Jan 12 1966) →