Category Archives: Cold War

Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov completes world’s first spacewalk, beating NASA to history 60 years ago this hour (Mar 18 1965)

Cold War, space exploration


Video: 'Rare COLOR footage of first spacewalk, Alexei Leonov, March 18, 1965'

(Friday, March 18, 1965, 08:34:51-08:47:00 UTC; during the Space Race) — Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov became the first person to walk in space today, spending 12 minutes and 9 seconds floating outside his spacecraft in a daring feat that marked another milestone in the space race. Continue reading Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov completes world’s first spacewalk, beating NASA to history 60 years ago this hour (Mar 18 1965) →

Woman, 82, sets herself afire on Detroit street corner as Vietnam protest 60 years ago tonight (Mar 16 1965)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War

asked0309c

(Monday, March 16, 1965, evening EST; during the the Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — Peace activist Alice Herz, 82, set herself ablaze on a Detroit street corner today to protest the Vietnam War (the first activist in the United States known to have immolated herself in protest of the escalating Vietnam War, Herz died 10 days later).

North Vietnamese troops attack South Vietnamese forces at Ban Me Thuot 50 years ago this hour (Mar 10 1975)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-12) The End of the Tunnel' (Mar. 10, 1975, at 24:41)

(Monday, March 10, 1975, 2:00 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the Battle of Ban Me Thuot, part of the Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — The North Vietnamese army began their assault on South Vietnamese forces this morning at Ban Me Thuot.

First American combat troops land in Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (Mar 8 1965)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: '1965, Marines Land in Vietnam - 250041-12 | Footage Farm Ltd'

(Monday, March 8, 1965, 9:03 a.m. ICT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The first U.S. combat troops arrived in Vietnam today as 3,500 Marines landed at China Beach to defend the American air base at Da Nang. They joined 23,000 American military advisors already in Vietnam. Continue reading First American combat troops land in Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (Mar 8 1965) →

Operation Rolling Thunder against North Vietnam begins 60 years ago this hour (Mar 2 1965)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-4) LBJ Goes to War (1964-1965)' (Mar. 2, 1965, at 28:18)

(Tuesday, March 2, 1965, 3:45 p.m. ICT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Operation Rolling Thunder, a gradual and sustained aerial bombardment campaign, began today as more than 100 U.S. jet aircraft bombed a North Vietnamese munitions depot and also provided air cover for 60 South Vietnamese bombers striking at a Communist naval base. Continue reading Operation Rolling Thunder against North Vietnam begins 60 years ago this hour (Mar 2 1965) →

Six U.S. Representatives arrive in Saigon to assess deteriorating situation 50 years ago today (Feb 27 1975)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-12) The End of the Tunnel' (Feb. 27-Mar. 2, 1975, at 23:51)

(Thursday, February 27, 1975; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — A group of six members of the House of Representatives arrived at Tan Son Nhut air base near the city of Saigon today to make a four day visit to South Vietnam and Cambodia. They joined two representatives who had arrived Feb. 24, 1975, to assess the deteriorating war situation.

Operation Rolling Thunder postponed due to coup attempt in Saigon 60 years ago today (Feb 19 1965)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Part 4 LBJ Goes to War 1964 65' (Feb. 19, 1965, at 28:40)

(Friday, February 19, 1965; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The planned Feb. 20, 1965, launch of Operation Rolling Thunder, an extended bombing campaign to force North Vietnam to stop supporting Vietcong guerrillas in the South, was postponed today due to a coup attempt in Saigon.

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson authorizes massive bombing campaign against North Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (Feb 13 1965)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-4) LBJ Goes to War (1964-1965)' (Feb. 13, 1965, at 28:18)

(Saturday, February 13, 1965, LBJ met with top national security advisors from 1:56 to 4:00 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson today authorized Operation Rolling Thunder, an extended bombing campaign to force North Vietnam to stop supporting Vietcong guerrillas in the South. Continue reading U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson authorizes massive bombing campaign against North Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (Feb 13 1965) →

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson retaliates for Viet Cong attack on Pleiku airbase 60 years ago this hour (Feb 7 1965)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'PBS LBJ Part 2' (Feb. 7, 1965, at 5:45)

(Sunday, February 7, 1965, 2:00 p.m. local time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon Johnson ordered Operation Flaming Dart today in retaliation for the Feb. 6-7, 1965, Viet Cong attack on Pleiku airbase. Continue reading U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson retaliates for Viet Cong attack on Pleiku airbase 60 years ago this hour (Feb 7 1965) →

Johnson adviser McGeorge Bundy arrives in Saigon 50 years ago this morning (Feb 4 1965)

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


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Part 4 LBJ Goes to War 1964 65' (Feb. 4, 1965, at 26:33)

(Thursday, February 4, 1965, morning local time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — National Security Adviser McGeorge Bundy, who had recently urged President Lyndon Johnson to bomb North Vietnam, arrived in Saigon this morning for a “fact” search.