Category Archives: Cold War

Communist-led Pathet Lao takes full control over Laos 50 years ago today (Dec 2 1975)


Video: 'America’s Secret War: The CIA’s Hidden Campaign in Laos | Free Documentay History'

(Tuesday, December 2, 1975) — The 16-year Laotian Civil War ended today as Laos came under full communist control when the 19-month-old coalition government fell to Pathet Lao leader Prince Souphanouvong, establishing the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos.

Reagan, Gorbachev meet for first time 40 years ago this hour (Nov 19 1985)


Video: 'November 19, 1985: Geneva Summit - www.NBCUniversalArchives.com'

(Tuesday, November 19, 1985, 10:02 a.m. Central European Time; during the Cold War) — U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev met today for the first time as they began their summit in Geneva in what the two sides described as a “good atmosphere.” Continue reading Reagan, Gorbachev meet for first time 40 years ago this hour (Nov 19 1985)

U.S. Army’s first major military operation of the Vietnam War begins 60 years ago this hour (Nov 14 1965)


Video: 'Inside Vietnam: Battle at Ia Drang'

(Sunday, November 14, 1965, 10:48 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The U.S. Army’s first major military operation of the Vietnam War began today with the start of the five-day Battle of Ia Drang. Continue reading U.S. Army’s first major military operation of the Vietnam War begins 60 years ago this hour (Nov 14 1965)

Warm welcome greets President Eisenhower’s return to Washington 70 years ago this hour (Nov 11 1955)


Video: 'Eisenhower Has a Heart Attack 1955'

(Friday, November 11, 1955, 3:55 p.m. EST) — U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower returned to Washington today to a roaring “welcome home” from thousands of well wishers, nearly seven weeks after suffering a serious heart attack while on vacation in Denver.

Soviet scientist Andrei Sakharov awarded Nobel Peace Prize 50 years ago today (Oct 9 1975)


Video: 'Andrei Dmitrievich Sakharov Biography - Documentary'

(Thursday, October 9, 1975)Andrei Sakharov, the father of the Soviet hydrogen bomb who incurred governmental wrath by becoming the Soviet Union’s most outspoken proponent of civil liberties, won the Nobel Peace Prize today.

Truman: Atomic bomb secret to be shared with Britain, Canada only 80 years ago this hour (Oct 8 1945)

truman

(Monday, October 8, 1945, 8:15 p.m. CST) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman declared this evening that the secrets of the atomic bomb would be shared only with Britain and Canada during a press conference in Tiptonville, Tennessee.

Air crash kills young citizen diplomat Samantha Smith 40 years ago this hour (Aug 25 1985)


Video: 'Samantha Smith Dies - Archival Footage'

(Monday, August 25, 1985, at about 10:05 p.m. EDT; during the Cold War)Samantha Smith, the 13-year-old schoolgirl whose letter to Soviet leader Yuri V. Andropov resulted in her peace tour of the communist country, was killed tonight with her father, Arthur, and six other people in a commuter plane crash near Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport in Auburn, Maine. Continue reading Air crash kills young citizen diplomat Samantha Smith 40 years ago this hour (Aug 25 1985)

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson rejects all or nothing approach in Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (Aug 3 1965)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-4) LBJ Goes to War (1964-1965)' (Aug. 3, 1965, at 44:34/45:26/46:55/48:03)

(Tuesday, August 3, 1965, 10:35-11:15 a.m. EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson declared today that those who advocate either all-out war in Vietnam or total withdrawal are equally misguided and equally insensitive to the United States’ role in Southeast Asia.

CBS crew films U.S. Marines destroying South Vietnamese village 60 years ago today (Aug 3 1965)


Video: 'Cam ne safer'

(Tuesday, August 3, 1965; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — CBS News reporter Morley Safer documented an American “search and destroy” mission today in the South Vietnamese village of Cam Ne (considered a Viet Cong stronghold), filming U.S. Marines burning homes using flamethrowers and Zippo cigarette lighters. Continue reading CBS crew films U.S. Marines destroying South Vietnamese village 60 years ago today (Aug 3 1965)

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson orders 50,000 more men to Vietnam and doubles draft 60 years ago this hour (July 28 1965)


Video: 'President Johnson's News Conference, 7/28/65. MP550.'

(Wednesday, July 28, 1965, 12:34 p.m. EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon Johnson announced today that United States military strength in South Vietnam would be increased from the present 75,000 men to 125,000 “almost immediately.” Continue reading U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson orders 50,000 more men to Vietnam and doubles draft 60 years ago this hour (July 28 1965)