Category Archives: Cold War

Supreme Court allows publication of top-secret ‘Pentagon Papers’ history of Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 30 1971)

1970s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'Freedom of the Press: New York Times v. United States'

(Wednesday, June 30, 1971, 2:30 p.m. EDT; New York Times Co. v. United States) — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that The New York Times and The Washington Post newspapers could publish articles based on the then-classified Pentagon Papers on the origins of the Vietnam War, rejecting government injunctions as unconstitutional prior restraint. Continue reading Supreme Court allows publication of top-secret ‘Pentagon Papers’ history of Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 30 1971) →

The New York Times begins publishing Pentagon Papers, a secret history of the Vietnam War 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 13 1971)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'The Pentagon Papers'

(Sunday June 13, 1971; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War)— The New York Times today began to publish the Pentagon Papers, a U.S. Department of Defense history of the United States’ political and military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967 that demonstrated, among other things, the Johnson Administration had “systematically lied, not only to the public but also to Congress.” Continue reading The New York Times begins publishing Pentagon Papers, a secret history of the Vietnam War 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 13 1971) →

President Kennedy addresses nation on TV, says talks with Premier Khrushchev in Vienna eased peril of a ‘misjudgment’ 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 6 1961)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'June 6, 1961 - John F. Kennedy report to the American people on his trip to Europe'

(Tuesday, June 6, 1961, 7:00 p.m. EDT; during the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy reported to the nation tonight that his talks with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev should at least have lessened chances of a “dangerous misjudgment” on either side. Continue reading President Kennedy addresses nation on TV, says talks with Premier Khrushchev in Vienna eased peril of a ‘misjudgment’ 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 6 1961) →

‘It will be a cold winter’: Kennedy, Khrushchev exchange war threats as two-day Cold War summit ends in Vienna 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 4 1961)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'CBS News: Kennedy/Khrushchev summit (1961)' (aired June 4, 1961, at 6:00 p.m. EDT)

(Sunday, June 4, 1961, 3:15 p.m. Central European Time; during the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev concluded their two-day summit in Vienna, Austria, today, exchanging threats of war. Continue reading ‘It will be a cold winter’: Kennedy, Khrushchev exchange war threats as two-day Cold War summit ends in Vienna 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 4 1961) →

Kennedy, Khrushchev meet in Vienna for tense two-day Cold War summit 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 3 1961)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'CBS News: Kennedy/Khrushchev summit (1961)' (aired June 4, 1961, at 6:00 p.m. EDT)

(Saturday, June 3, 1961, 12:45 p.m.-6:45 p.m. Central European Time; during the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev began a two-day summit today in Vienna, Austria, meeting for about four hours in total at the U.S. Embassy to discuss numerous issues in the relationship between their countries. Continue reading Kennedy, Khrushchev meet in Vienna for tense two-day Cold War summit 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 3 1961) →

Vice President Johnson assures Saigon of aid in army build-up 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 12 1961)

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


Video: '1961 Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson Visits Saigon'

(Friday, May 12, 1961, 11:30 a.m. Indochina Time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Vice President Lyndon Johnson told South Vietnam’s National Assembly today in Saigon the United States was ready immediately to help South Vietnam increase its 150,000-man regular military forces by a substantial number. Continue reading Vice President Johnson assures Saigon of aid in army build-up 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 12 1961) →

Vietnam veterans discard medals in war protest at U.S. Capitol 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 23 1971)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - Homefront USA [10/11]' (Vietnam veterans protest, April 19–23, 1971, at 49:57)

(Friday, April 23, 1971; during the Vietnam War) — About 700 veterans of the Vietnam War marched past the United States Capitol today and bitterly flung away battle decorations which they now regard as symbols of wasted suffering in an unjust war.
Continue reading Vietnam veterans discard medals in war protest at U.S. Capitol 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 23 1971) →

Eisenhower urges nation to back Kennedy on Cuba after Camp David meeting 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 22 1961)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'April 22, 1961 - President John F. Kennedy meets former President Dwight Eisenhower at Camp David'

(Saturday, April 22, 1961, 12:46-2:30 p.m. EST; during the Cold War) — President John F. Kennedy and former President Dwight D. Eisenhower shaped a policy of national unity today following the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion, conferring for 90 minutes at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland.
Continue reading Eisenhower urges nation to back Kennedy on Cuba after Camp David meeting 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 22 1961) →

‘Chinese spring offensive’ launched against United Nations forces in Korea 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 22 1951)

1950s, Cold War, Korean War


Video: 'Korean War - PART 20, MacArthur is Fired, 6.25' (Chinese Spring Offensive at 4:41)

(Sunday, April 22, 1951, 5:00 p.m. Korea Standard Time; during the Korean War, part of the Cold War and the Korean conflict) — The Chinese spring offensive, a military operation conducted by the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army (PVA) aimed at permanently driving the United Nations Command (UN) forces off the Korean peninsula, began today near the 38th Parallel.
Continue reading ‘Chinese spring offensive’ launched against United Nations forces in Korea 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 22 1951) →

‘Victory has a hundred fathers…’: JFK dodges Cuba questions at news conference 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 21 1961)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'JFK'S 10th PRESS CONFERENCE (APRIL 21, 1961) (VIDEO VERSION)'

(Friday, April 21, 1961, 10:00 a.m. EST; during the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy declined to discuss the recent Bay of Pigs Invasion in Cuba despite repeated questioning by reporters at a news conference today in Washington, except to declare, “There’s an old saying that victory has a hundred fathers and defeat is an orphan… What matters is only one fact, I am the responsible officer of the government.”
Continue reading ‘Victory has a hundred fathers…’: JFK dodges Cuba questions at news conference 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 21 1961) →