Category Archives: Cold War

Vietnam War escalates with first U.S. air strikes near Hanoi and Haiphong 60 years ago #OTD this hour (June 29 1966)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: June 29, 1966 | Robert McNamara Announces Renewed Bombing in North Vietnam

(Wednesday, June 29, 1966, 1:50 p.m. local time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. aircraft bombed the major North Vietnamese population centers of Hanoi and Haiphong for the first time today, destroying oil depots located near the two cities. Continue reading Vietnam War escalates with first U.S. air strikes near Hanoi and Haiphong 60 years ago #OTD this hour (June 29 1966) →

Rioting bursts out in Poznan, Poland 70 years ago this hour (Jun 28 1956)

1950s, Cold War


Video: 'Poznan June: 1956 Anti-Soviet Uprising DOCUMENTARY'

(Thursday, June 28, 1956, 6:30 a.m. CET; during the Cold War) –The Poznan 1956 protests, the first of several massive protests against the government of the People’s Republic of Poland, began on today at Poznan’s Cegielski Factories and were met with violent repression. Continue reading Rioting bursts out in Poznan, Poland 70 years ago this hour (Jun 28 1956) →

First hydrogen bomb to be dropped from a plane exploded 70 years ago this hour (May 21 1956)

1950s, Cold War


Video: 'US: Hydrogen Bomb Over Bikini Atoll - 1956 | Today in History | 21 May 16'

(Monday, May 21, 1956, 5:50:38.7 a.m. Marshall Islands Time/Sunday, May 20, 1956, 1:50:38.7 p.m. EDT; during the Cold War) — The United States today exploded the first airborne hydrogen bomb over Bikini Atoll in the Pacific. Continue reading First hydrogen bomb to be dropped from a plane exploded 70 years ago this hour (May 21 1956) →

China launches Cultural Revolution 60 years ago today (May 16 1966)

1960s, Cold War


Video: 'What was China's Cultural Revolution? BBC News'

(Monday, May 16, 1966) — China today launched the Cultural Revolution, a radical, youth-driven reform movement aimed at bolstering Chairman Mao Zedong while purging the country of “counter-revolutionaries.” Continue reading China launches Cultural Revolution 60 years ago today (May 16 1966) →

30 killed in major nuclear accident at Chernobyl plant in Ukraine 40 years ago this hour (Apr 26 1986)

1980s, Cold War


Video: 'Chernobyl Disaster 1986: What really happened?'

(Saturday, April 26, 1986, 1:23:45 a.m. MSK; during the Cold War) — The world’s worst nuclear accident occurred this morning at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the town of Pripyat, Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union), killing at least 30 Soviets immediately. Continue reading 30 killed in major nuclear accident at Chernobyl plant in Ukraine 40 years ago this hour (Apr 26 1986) →

Missing H-bomb recovered intact after 80 days off Spanish coast 60 years ago this hour (Apr 7 1966)

1960s, Cold War


Video: 'The Palomares Incident | Plane Crash Documentary'

(Thursday, April 7, 1966, embassy in Madrid received the word at 10:33 a.m. Central European Time; during the Cold War) — After an 80-day operation, the U.S. Navy today finally recovered the hydrogen bomb that the U.S. Air Force had lost off the coast of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea following a B-52 crash. Continue reading Missing H-bomb recovered intact after 80 days off Spanish coast 60 years ago this hour (Apr 7 1966) →

‘Nikita’ by Elton John peaks at #7 in USA 40 years ago today (Mar 22 1986)

1980s, Cold War, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, March 22, 1986; during the Cold War) — “Nikita” by Elton John peaked at #7 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Nikita’ by Elton John peaks at #7 in USA 40 years ago today (Mar 22 1986) →

Missing H-bomb located in sea off Spain 60 years ago today (Mar 17 1966)

1960s, Cold War


Video: 'The Palomares Incident – The Nuclear Bombs That Poisoned Spain’s Coast' (March 15-17, 1966, at 5:35)

(Thursday, March 17, 1966; during the Cold War) — The U.S. midget submarine Alvin has found the hydrogen bomb that was lost two months ago in the collision of an American bomber and a tanker plane over Spain, official sources said tonight (the bomb would not be recovered until April 1966).

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) →