Category Archives: Cold War

Truman Doctrine proclaimed to help stem the spread of Communism 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 12 1947)


'Video: 'Truman Doctrine'

(Wednesday, March 12, 1947, 1:00 p.m. EST; during the Cold War) — In a historic message to Congress, President Harry S. Truman announced todaywhat became known as the Truman Doctrine to help Greece and Turkey resist Communism. (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 2:43:43). Continue reading Truman Doctrine proclaimed to help stem the spread of Communism 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 12 1947)

Clergymen ask President Johnson to halt bombing in Vietnam 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 31 1967)


Video: 'Vietnam A Television History 10, Homefront 1' (Jan. 31, 1967, at 4:59)

(Tuesday, January 31, 1967; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Protestant, Catholic and Jewish clergymen from all parts of the nation appealed to President Lyndon Johnson today to halt the bombing of North Vietnam as part of a “fresh initiative”‘ for peace negotiations.

The appeal was contained in an interfaith statement delivered to the President’s office while upwards of 2,000 ministers, priests and rabbis conducted a silent prayer vigil on the sidewalk in front of the White House.

62 nations sign treaty to curb arms in space 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 27 1967)


Video: 'Outer Space Treaty Signed In Washington (1967)'

(Friday, January 27, 1967, 5:15 p.m. EST) — President Lyndon Johnson presided today over a White House ceremony at which the United States, the Soviet Union and 60 other countries signed a treaty to limit military activities in outer space. Continue reading 62 nations sign treaty to curb arms in space 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 27 1967)

Three American B-52s become first jet aircraft to circle the world nonstop 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 18 1957)


Video: 'Operation Power Flite - Video Learning - WizScience.com'

(Friday, January 18, 1957, 10:19 a.m. PST; during Operation Power Flite and the Cold War) — Three U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses completed a non-stop around-the-world flight today in 45 hours and 19 minutes (using in-flight refueling to stay aloft) at March Air Force Base in California, demonstrating that the United States could drop a hydrogen bomb anywhere on earth.

Johnson requests tax surcharge for Vietnam War, poverty programs 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 10 1967)


Video: 'President Lyndon B. Johnson's 1967 State of the Union Address, 1/10/67. MP588.'

(Tuesday, January 10, 1967, 9:33 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, in his State of the Union address, tonight asked Congress to impose “a surcharge of 6 percent on both corporate and individual income taxes” to help pay for his “Great Society” anti-poverty programs as well as the war in Vietnam. Continue reading Johnson requests tax surcharge for Vietnam War, poverty programs 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 10 1967)

Americans launch Operation Cedar Falls to eradicate Vietnam’s ‘Iron Triangle’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 8 1967)


Video: '1983-Vietnam - A Television History - P.5 America Takes Charge (1965-1967)' (Operation Cedar Falls at 20:34-24:59)

(Sunday, January 8, 1967; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War)Operation Cedar Falls began today as 30,000 American troops, the largest number of U.S. forces committed to battle in the Vietnam War up to that time, began to drive the Viet Cong out of the “Iron Triangle” region in South Vietnam’s Binh Duong Province. Continue reading Americans launch Operation Cedar Falls to eradicate Vietnam’s ‘Iron Triangle’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 8 1967)

U.S. Marines land In Mekong Delta 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 6 1967)


Video: 'Scenes From Deckhouse Five: Marines & USS Iwo Jima Vietnam War'

(Friday, January 6, 1967; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Marines and South Vietnamese troops today launched Operation Deckhouse Five, an offensive in the Mekong River delta.

The 10-day operation reportedly claimed the lives of 21 Viet Cong fighters along with seven Americans.

‘A miasma of trouble hangs over everything,’ writes Lady Bird Johnson 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 5 1967)


Video: 'PRESIDENTS LBJ Part 2' (Jan. 5, 1967, at 1:08:30)

(Thursday, January 5, 1967; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — With the Vietnam War dragging on with no end in sight, First Lady Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Johnson, wife of U.S. President Lyndon Johnson, wrote today in her diary, “A miasma of trouble hangs over everything.” Continue reading ‘A miasma of trouble hangs over everything,’ writes Lady Bird Johnson 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 5 1967)

President Eisenhower asks Congress for right to combat a Red attack in Mideast 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 5 1957)


Video: 'The Other Side of Suez (BBC Documentary)' (Jan. 5, 1957 at 55:24)

(Saturday, January 5, 1957, 12:30 p.m. EST; during the Cold War) — President Dwight Eisenhower today asked a solemn assembly of Congress to authorize him to use the armed forces of the United States against any Communist or Communist-dominated aggressor in the Middle East area in what became known as the Eisenhower Doctrine. Continue reading President Eisenhower asks Congress for right to combat a Red attack in Mideast 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 5 1957)

First Indochina War breaks out 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1946)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 1' (First Indochina War begins at 34:08)

(Thursday, December 19, 1946, 8:03 p.m. ICT; during the Cold War) — The First Indochina War, primarily between between French forces and their Viet Minh opponents, broke out tonight in French Indochina when Viet Minh soldiers under Ho Chi Minh plunged Hanoi into darkness and began attacking French military positions and French homes in the Battle of Hanoi. Continue reading First Indochina War breaks out 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1946)