Category Archives: Cold War

Massive anti-Vietnam war protests held in New York and San Francisco 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 15 1967)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Peace March. Thousands Oppose Vietnam War, April 18, 1967 (Universal Newsreel)'

(Saturday, April 15, 1967; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — An estimated 100,000 to 125,000 anti-war demonstrators marched through the streets of Manhattan today and then massed in front of the United Nations building to hear U.S. policy in Vietnam denounced in speeches by Martin Luther King, Jr., Floyd McKissick, Stokely Carmichael and Dr. Benjamin Spock. Continue reading Massive anti-Vietnam war protests held in New York and San Francisco 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 15 1967) →

The Rolling Stones play their first concert behind Iron Curtain 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 13 1967)

1960s, Cold War, Popular Music 1960s


Video: 'Stones '67 in Warschau'

(Thursday, April 13, 1967, 5:00 p.m. CET; during the Cold War) — The Rolling Stones played their first concert behind the Iron Curtain today in Warsaw, Poland, as riot police had to step in to deal with 2,000 people who weren’t able to get tickets. Continue reading The Rolling Stones play their first concert behind Iron Curtain 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 13 1967) →

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.

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.

Communist forces occupy Da Nang 40 years ago today (Mar 30 1975)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Mar. 30, 1975, at 31:50)

(Easter Sunday, March 30, 1975; during the The Hue–Da Nang Campaign of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — A speedy North Vietnamese force moved into chaotic Da Nang today, sweeping across the vast air base where the first U.S. ground forces had landed in 1965.

Two Americans killed as bomb in Vietnam rips U.S. embassy 50 years ago this hour (Mar 30 1965)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - LBJ Goes to War [3/11]' (Mar. 30, 1965, at 32:41)

(Tuesday, March 30, 1965, 10:55 a.m. ICT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — A huge bomb exploded at the United States Embassy today in Saigon, South Vietnam, killing two Americans, one female CIA employee, Barbara Robbins and another American, as well as 19 Vietnamese and one Filipino serving in the U.S. Navy along with injuring 183 others.

Last American flight out of Da Nang captured on camera 40 years ago today (Mar 29 1975)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Mar. 29, 1975, at 30:24)

(Saturday, March 29, 1975; during the The Hue–Da Nang Campaign of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — Against official American advice, a World Airways jet with company president Ed Daley aboard made a perilous landing today at Da Nang for one last rescue mission.

Daley wanted to save women and children first, but desperate South Vietnamese soldiers jammed into the airplane. They scrambled into the baggage compartment and clung to the stairway as the plane took off.