Category Archives: Cold War

H-bomb recovered intact after 80 days off the coast of Spain 50 years ago today (Apr 7 1966)


Video: '1966 Palomares B-52 crash'

(Thursday, April 7, 1966; during the Cold War) — After an 80-day operation, the U.S. Navy today finally recovered the hydrogen bomb that the U.S. Air Force had lost off the coast of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea following a B-52 crash.

After being raised from the sea by a winch, the bomb was loaded onto the rescue ship USS Petrel for shipment back to the United States.

Winston Churchill delivered his ‘Iron Curtain’ speech 70 years ago today (Mar 5 1946)


Video: 'Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain speech" regarding USSR and Eastern Bloc, at Wes...HD Stock Footage'

(Tuesday, March 5, 1946, afternoon local time) — In what is considered one of the opening volleys of the Cold War, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill condemned the Soviet Union’s policies in Europe today during a speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, declaring “From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent, allowing police governments to rule Eastern Europe.” Continue reading Winston Churchill delivered his ‘Iron Curtain’ speech 70 years ago today (Mar 5 1946)

Soviet leader Khrushchev lashes out at Stalin in ‘Secret Speech’ 60 years ago today (Feb 25 1956)


Video: 'Khrushchev Secret Speech'

(Saturday, February 25, 1956) — In a sensational “Secret Speech” to the 20th Congress of the Communist Party, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev denounced Joseph Stalin today as a brutal despot, painting a graphic picture of a regime of “suspicion, fear, and terror” built up under the former dictator, who died three years ago.

President Johnson pledges stronger war effort in Vietnam 50 years ago this hour (Feb 8 1966)


Video: 'Vietnam War Honolulu Conference: President Johnson, Generals Thieu & Westmoreland Feb 5-7 1966'

(Tuesday, February 8, 1966, 12:00 noon HAST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and South Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Cao Ky concluded their meetings in Hawaii today by issuing the “Declaration of Honolulu,” which asserted the resolve of their countries to defeat the Communists. Continue reading President Johnson pledges stronger war effort in Vietnam 50 years ago this hour (Feb 8 1966)

SSgt. Barry Sadler performs on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 50 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1966)


Video: 'Ballad of the Green Berets - SSGT Barry Sadler [1966]'

(Sunday, January 30, 1966, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — SSgt. Barry Sadler performed “Ballad of the Green Berets” on tonight’s live edition of the CBS-TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show from CBS Studio No. 50 in New York City.