Category Archives: Cold War

‘Viet Cong’ formed to oppose South Vietnamese government of President Ngo Dinh Diem 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 20 1960)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - America's Mandarin [2/11]' (NLF formed at 20:18)

(Tuesday, December 20, 1960; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The National Liberation Front (NLF) was created today as an armed communist political revolutionary organization in South Vietnam and Cambodia to oppose the government of President Ngo Dinh Diem, who gave the group the nickname “Viet Cong.”
Continue reading ‘Viet Cong’ formed to oppose South Vietnamese government of President Ngo Dinh Diem 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 20 1960)

50 people killed when fire breaks out aboard USS Constellation at Brooklyn Navy Yard 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1960)


Video: 'Carrier Ablaze (1960)'

(Monday, December 19, 1960, 10:30 a.m. EST; during the Cold War) — Fifty shipyard workers were killed and more than 300 were injured today when fire broke out on the hangar deck of the nearly completed aircraft carrier USS Constellation at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York City.
Continue reading 50 people killed when fire breaks out aboard USS Constellation at Brooklyn Navy Yard 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1960)

President Truman threatens to use atomic bomb to win Korean War 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 30 1950)


Video: 'Korean War - PART 16, The Low Point, 6.25' (Nov. 30, 1950, at 5:24)

(Thursday, November 30, 1950, 10:30 a.m. EST; during the Second Phase Offensive, part of the Korean War and the Cold War) — As Chinese forces of the People’s Volunteer Army (PVA) pushed back United Nations forces from the Yalu River, U.S. President Harry S. Truman frightened the world today when he declared during a press conference that UN forces would “take whatever steps are necessary to meet the military situation in Korea,” including use of the atomic bomb.
Continue reading President Truman threatens to use atomic bomb to win Korean War 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 30 1950)

Chinese launch massive offensive against advancing UN forces in Korea 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 25 1950)


Video: 'Korean War- PART 15, The Rout of the UN, 6.25' (Second Phase Offensive at 4:36)

(Saturday, November 25, 1950, 5:00 p.m. Korea Standard Time; during the Second Phase Offensive, part of the Korean War and the Cold War) — One day after United Nations Command (U.S./UN) forces launched the Home-by-Christmas Offensive to expel Chinese forces from Korea and to end the Korean War, the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army (PVA) launched it’s Second Phase Offensive today with the strength of between 300,000-390,000 soldiers. Continue reading Chinese launch massive offensive against advancing UN forces in Korea 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 25 1950)

First American troops reach Yalu River that separates North Korea and China 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 21 1950)


Video: 'Korean War- PART 15, The Rout of the UN, 6.25 ' (UN forces reach Yalu River at 1:54)

(Tuesday, November 21, 1950, as dusk fell at 5:30 p.m. Korea Standard Time; during the UN offensive into North Korea, part of  the Korean War and the Cold War) — Troops of the 7th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army’s X Corps today became the first American division to reach the Yalu River that separated North Korea and China, moving into the border city of Hyesan. Continue reading First American troops reach Yalu River that separates North Korea and China 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 21 1950)

Chinese troops enter Korea after U.S. forces capture North Korean capital of Pyongyang 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 19 1950)


Video: 'Korean War - PART 13, To the 38th Parallel and beyond- 6.25' (Battle of Pyongyang at 5:30/Chinese enters Korean War at 8:21)

(Thursday, October 19, 1950, as dusk fell at 5:30 p.m. Korea Standard Time; during the UN offensive into North Korea, part of  the Korean War and the Cold War) — Just hours after American troops from the United States Army’s 1st Cavalry became the first U.S. forces to march into Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, a mass invasion of North Korea from China got underway tonight, with 260,000 Chinese forces of the People’s Volunteer Army (PVA) crossing the Yalu River into Korea over three different bridges. Continue reading Chinese troops enter Korea after U.S. forces capture North Korean capital of Pyongyang 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 19 1950)

MacArthur tells Truman China won’t intervene in Korean War 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 15 1950)


Video: 'Korean War: Truman vs MacArthur over Korea' (Oct. 15, 1950 at 10:15)

(Sunday, October 15, 1950, Truman’s plane arrived at 6:30 a.m. Wake Time; during the Wake Island Conference, part of the Korean War and the Cold War) — President Harry S. Truman and Army General Douglas MacArthur met for a conference today at Wake Island to define the Far Eastern policy of the United States in the light of recent United Nations victories in Korea. Continue reading MacArthur tells Truman China won’t intervene in Korean War 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 15 1950)

First UN forces cross 38th Parallel in drive toward North Korean capital of Pyongyang 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 7 1950)


Video: 'Korean War - PART 13, To the 38th Parallel and beyond- 6.25' (Oct. 7, 1950, at 3:25)

(Saturday, October 7, 1950; during the UN offensive into North Korea, part of  the Korean War and the Cold War) — Hours before the United Nations General Assembly approved Resolution 376(V), calling for unification of Korea and authorizing the United Nations forces to cross the 38th Parallel, U.S. infantry troopers crossed the 38th Parallel today in a drive toward the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. Continue reading First UN forces cross 38th Parallel in drive toward North Korean capital of Pyongyang 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 7 1950)

UN forces land at Inchon, 150 miles behind Korean fighting front 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 15 1950)


Video: 'Inchon Landings - First Pictures (1950)'

(Friday, September 15, 1950, 6:30 a.m. Korea Standard Time;  during the Battle of Inchon, part of  the Korean War and the Cold War) — The Battle of Inchon, an amphibious invasion and battle of the Korean War that resulted in a decisive victory and strategic reversal in favor of the United Nations Command (UN), began this morning. Continue reading UN forces land at Inchon, 150 miles behind Korean fighting front 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 15 1950)

North Koreans launch all-out push for Pusan 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 1 1950)


Video: 'Korean War - PART 10, Pre-Incheon (August 1950) 6.25 ??' (Sept. 1, 1950, at 2:30)

(Friday, September 1, 1950, shortly after midnight KDT; during The Great Naktong Offensive and the Battles of Ka-sanTabu-dong and Yongsan, part of the larger Battle of Pusan Perimeter in the Korean War, part of the Cold War) — One third of North Korea’s 150,000-man Communist Army opened a massive general attack early this morning in an effort to smash the United Nations beachhead by capturing Pusan and Taegu. Continue reading North Koreans launch all-out push for Pusan 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 1 1950)