Category Archives: Cold War

Saigon renews appeal for U.S. aid 50 years ago today (Jan 31 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Jan. 31, 1975, at 23:17)

(Friday, January 31, 1975; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — 25 days after the fall of Phuoc Binh to North Vietnamese forces, South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu today renewed his appeal for U.S. aid, warning that his government might collapse without it.

Radical group Weather Underground sets off bomb in U.S. State Department building 50 years ago this hour (Jan 29 1975)


Video: 'Weather Underground Bombs the Capitol, Pentagon, and State Department' (Jan. 29, 1975, at 6:08)

(Wednesday, January 29, 1975, 12:56 a.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — A bomb exploded in the State Department building in Washington early this morning shortly after callers identifying themselves as “Weather Underground” members warned news organizations they were setting off bombs in protest United States aid to South Vietnam. Continue reading Radical group Weather Underground sets off bomb in U.S. State Department building 50 years ago this hour (Jan 29 1975)

Saigon’s forces lose Phuoc Long 50 years ago this hour (Jan 7 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-12) The End of the Tunnel' (Battle of Phuoc Long at 22:31)

(Tuesday, January 7, 1975, 9:30 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the Battle of Phuoc Long, part of Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — After a week-long siege, North Vietnamese forces today overran and captured Phuoc Binh, the encircled capital of Phuoc Long Province. Continue reading Saigon’s forces lose Phuoc Long 50 years ago this hour (Jan 7 1975)

U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower urges harmony, cites Soviet threat in State of the Union address 70 years ago this hour (Jan 6 1955)


Video: 'Eisenhower's 1955 State of the Union Address'

(Thursday, January 6, 1955, 12:31 p.m. EST; during the Cold War) — In his annual State of the Union address, U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower laid his legislative program before the new Democratic-controlled Congress today with a plea for harmony and a solemn warning that this is a year of trial in the world’s wavering course toward durable peace or atomic holocaust. Continue reading U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower urges harmony, cites Soviet threat in State of the Union address 70 years ago this hour (Jan 6 1955)

U.S. Senate condemns Sen. Joseph McCarthy in 67-22 vote for unethical conduct 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 2 1954)


Video: '2nd December 1954: US Senator Joseph McCarthy censured by the Senate'

(Thursday, December 2, 1954, 5:03 p.m. EST; during the Second Red Scare and the Cold War) — The United States Senate voted 67 to 22 today to censure Sen. Joseph McCarthy of (R-Wisconsin) for “conduct that tends to bring the Senate into dishonor and disrepute.” Continue reading U.S. Senate condemns Sen. Joseph McCarthy in 67-22 vote for unethical conduct 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 2 1954)

China conducts first nuclear test, joins global atomic powers 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 16 1964)


Video: 'China's First Nuclear Bomb Test Declassified Footage HD'

(Friday, October 16, 1964, 3:00 p.m. China Standard Time) — The People’s Republic of China today became the fifth nation in the world to possess nuclear weapons, following a successful detonation of an atomic bomb at the Lop Nor test site in Xinjiang’s remote desert. Continue reading China conducts first nuclear test, joins global atomic powers 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 16 1964)

Nikita Khrushchev deposed as leader of Soviet Union in surprise move by Communist Party 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1964)


Video: 'Universal Newsreel'

(Wednesday, October 14, 1964) — In a swift and unexpected political shake-up, Nikita Khrushchev, the dominant figure of the Soviet Union for more than a decade, was forced into retirement today by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU). Continue reading Nikita Khrushchev deposed as leader of Soviet Union in surprise move by Communist Party 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1964)

World’s first nuclear-powered submarine commissioned by U.S. Navy at Groton, Connecticut 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 30 1954)


Video: 'Officers aboard the USS Nautilus SSN-571 submarine for her commissioning ceremony...HD Stock Footage'

(Thursday, September 30, 1954, 3:11 p.m. EST; during the Cold War) — The world’s first atomic-powered submarine, USS Nautilus, officially joined the United States Navy today, marking a significant milestone in naval technology and a strategic answer to the growing naval power of the Soviet Union. Continue reading World’s first nuclear-powered submarine commissioned by U.S. Navy at Groton, Connecticut 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 30 1954)

U.S. President Gerald Ford offers conditional amnesty to Vietnam War draft evaders, deserters 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 16 1974)


Video: 'Gerald Ford-Remarks on Clemency for Vietnam Era Draft Evaders (September 16,1974)'

(Monday, September 16, 1974, 11:17 a.m. EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War; also during the Watergate scandal) — Eight days after granting disgraced former President Richard Nixon an unconditional pardon, U.S. President Gerald Ford today offered conditional amnesty to thousands of Vietnam-era draft evaders and military deserters who agree to work for up to two years in public service jobs. Continue reading U.S. President Gerald Ford offers conditional amnesty to Vietnam War draft evaders, deserters 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 16 1974)

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson orders retaliatory strikes in Gulf of Tonkin, propelling U.S. into Vietnam War 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 4 1964)


Video: 'President Johnson's Vietnam Address, 8/4/64. MP498.'

(Tuesday, August 4, 1964, 11:34 p.m. EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — President Lyndon B. Johnson announced tonight that he had ordered retaliatory action against gunboats and “certain supporting facilities in North Vietnam” following renewed attacks on American destroyers in the second Gulf of Tonkin incident. Continue reading U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson orders retaliatory strikes in Gulf of Tonkin, propelling U.S. into Vietnam War 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 4 1964)