Category Archives: Cold War

UN declares free elections should be held in Korea 70 years ago today #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 14 1947)


Video: 'Korean War - PART 2, Prelude to war (1946-1947) 6.25' (Nov. 14, 1947, at 6:26)

(Friday, November 14, 1947) — The United Nations passed a resolution at Flushing Meadow today declaring that free elections should be held, foreign troops should be withdrawn and a UN commission for Korea, the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea (UNTCOK), should be created. Continue reading UN declares free elections should be held in Korea 70 years ago today #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 14 1947)

PBS documentary examines abuse of power 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 4 1987)


Video: ‘The Secret Government: The Constitution in Crisis’

(Wednesday, November 4, 1987, 9:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m. EST) — American journalist and political commentator Bill Moyers produced and hosted The Secret Government: The Constitution in Crisis tonight on PBS-TV, examining the Iran-Contra scandal as the most recent example of the continuing abuse of democratic values by unaccountable intelligence operations during the Cold War. Continue reading PBS documentary examines abuse of power 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 4 1987)

Soviets launch Sputnik 2, sacrifice dog 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 3 1957)


Video: 'Laika The Dog & What Happened To Her'

(Saturday, November 3, 1957; 02:30:00 UTC) — The Soviet Union today launched Sputnik 2, the second spacecraft launched into Earth orbit and the first to carry a living animal, a Soviet space dog named Laika, who died a few hours after the launch. Continue reading Soviets launch Sputnik 2, sacrifice dog 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 3 1957)

LBJ convenes ‘Wise Men’ to discuss Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 2 1967)


Video: 'American Experience LBJ 2' (Nov. 2, 1967, at 1:16:39)

(Thursday, November 2, 1967, 10:42 a.m.-2:20 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson held a secret meeting today at the White House with “the Wise Men,” a group of “former officials whose advice he trusted” and asked them to suggest ways to unite the American people behind the Vietnam War. Continue reading LBJ convenes ‘Wise Men’ to discuss Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 2 1967)

Jackie Kennedy arrives in Cambodia 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 2 1967)


Video: 'November 2, 1967 - Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy arriving at Pochentong Airport, Phnom Penh'

(Thursday, November 2, 1967); during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy arrived to a thunderous welcome today in neutral Cambodia (next door to South Vietnam) at Pochentong Airport in Phnom Penh, greeted by Prince Norodom Sihanouk. Continue reading Jackie Kennedy arrives in Cambodia 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 2 1967)

Thieu sworn-in as President of South Vietnam 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 31 1967)

(Tuesday, October 31, 1967, just after 9:00 a.m. ICT); during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Van Thieu, South Vietnam’s chief of state during two years of military rule, took the oath of office today in Saigon as the first President of South Vietnam’s Second Republic (click here to watch a video report on today’s events). Continue reading Thieu sworn-in as President of South Vietnam 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 31 1967)

John McCain shot down over North Vietnam 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 26 1967)


Video: 'John McCain Combat Footage'

(Thursday, October 26, 1967; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Navy pilot John McCain III, the son of Vice Admiral John S. McCain Jr., was shot down over North Vietnam today and taken prisoner. Continue reading John McCain shot down over North Vietnam 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 26 1967)

Reagan testifies on pro-Communist influences in Hollywood 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 23 1947)


Video: 'Ronald_Reagan HUAC Testimony Excerpt, 1947'

(Thursday, October 23, 1947; during the Second Red Scare and the Cold War) — Film actor Ronald Reagan, President of the Screen Actors Guild and future President of the United States, appeared before the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) today as a “friendly” witness, testifying “I do not believe the Communists have ever at any time been able to use the motion-picture screen as a sounding board for their philosophy or ideology.” Continue reading Reagan testifies on pro-Communist influences in Hollywood 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 23 1947)

Thousands storm Pentagon to protest Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 21 1967)


Video: 'Anti-War Demonstrators Storm Pentagon (1967)'

(Saturday, October 21, 1967, 5:40 p.m. EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — 35,000 demonstrators stormed the Pentagon tonight after a calm afternoon rally (attended by 50,000) at West Potomac Park near the Lincoln Memorial and “March on the Pentagon” in nearby Arlington, Virginia. Continue reading Thousands storm Pentagon to protest Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 21 1967)

Congress investigates Communists in Hollywood 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 20 1947)


Video: 'Hollywood 'Red' Probe, HUAC Hearings Begin 1947/10/20'

(Monday, October 20, 1947, 10:30 a.m. EST; during the Second Red Scare and the Cold War) — The House Un-American Activities Committee opened hearings today in Washington, D.C., into alleged Communist influence and infiltration in the U.S. motion picture industry. Continue reading Congress investigates Communists in Hollywood 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 20 1947)