Category Archives: Cold War

King denounces Vietnam War at Riverside Church 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1967)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Eyes On The Prize - (Part 10) The Promised Land 1967–1968' (Apr. 4, 1967, at 5:17)

(Tuesday, April 4, 1967, evening EST; during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–1968) and during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Civil Rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. denounced the war in Vietnam tonight, delivering “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” one of his most dramatic and controversial speeches, before 3,000 people at Riverside Church in New York City. Continue reading King denounces Vietnam War at Riverside Church 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1967) →

President Truman establishes federal employee loyalty program 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1947)

1940s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'The Loyalty Program'

(Friday, March 21, 1947, during the Cold War) — Against his own better judgment, U.S. President Harry S. Truman today signed Executive Order 9835, sometimes known as the “Loyalty Order,” making the political beliefs of every federal employee subject to investigation by the FBI in order to root out communist influence in the U.S. federal government (click here for a clip about this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 2:50:28). Continue reading President Truman establishes federal employee loyalty program 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1947) →

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

1940s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


'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)

Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


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)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


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)

1950s, Cold War


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)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


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)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


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)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


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)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


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) →