Category Archives: Cold War

Gorbachev picked to succeed Chernenko as Soviet leader 30 years ago this hour (Mar 11 1985)

1980s, Cold War


Video: '3/11/85: Gorbachev Becomes Soviet Leader'

(Monday, March 11, 1985, publicly announced at 6:15 p.m. MSK; during the Cold War) — Mikhail Gorbachev, 54, was elected General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union by the Politburo today, only three hours after the death of Konstantin Chernenko.

Gorbachev’s policies of glasnost (“openness”) and perestroika (“restructuring”) as well as summit conferences with United States President Ronald Reagan and his reorientation of Soviet strategic aims would contribute to the end of the Cold War.

General Khanh accepts Viet ouster 50 years ago this hour (Feb 22 1965)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - LBJ Goes to War [3/11]' (Feb. 22, 1965, at 28:40)

(Monday, February 22, 1965, 6:30 a.m. ICT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Khanh formally announced his resignation today as commander-in-chief of South Vietnamese armed forces during a telephone call to his generals from a military air strip at Da Lat, about 150 miles northeast of Saigon, where his plane landed after running low on fuel.

The Armed Forces Council had unanimously decided late Sunday to replace Khanh with Maj. Gen. Tran Van Minh as commander in chief.

Khmer Rouge attacks force thousands into Phnom Penh 40 years ago this hour (Jan 1 1975)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - Cambodia and Laos [8/11]' (Jan. 1, 1975, at 42:32)

(Wednesday, January 1, 1975, 1:20 a.m. local time; during the Cambodian Civil War, part of the Vietnam War, Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Communist-led insurgents known as the Khmer Rouge launched a series of attacks on the outskirts of Phnom Penh today and thousands of refugees, hundreds of them injured, streamed into the capital.

Saigon battalions retake Binh Gia in long fight 50 years ago today (Dec 30 1964)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - America's Enemy [5/11]' (Dec. 30, 1964, at 19:35)

(Wednesday, December 30, 1964; during the Battle of Binh Gia of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Saigon troops recaptured the village of Binh Gia today after U.S. helicopters flew in reinforcements. The battle continued through Jan. 1, 1975.

Viet Cong capture South Vietnamese village of Binh Gia 50 years ago today (Dec 28 1964)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - America's Enemy [5/11]' (Dec. 28, 1964, at 19:06)

(Monday, December 28, 1964, early hours; during the Battle of Binh Gia of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Some 1,500 Vietcong, armed with machine guns and recoil-less rifles, today captured the village of Binh Gia, 40 miles southeast of Saigon. Continue reading Viet Cong capture South Vietnamese village of Binh Gia 50 years ago today (Dec 28 1964) →

Viet Cong operatives bomb Saigon quarters of U.S. officers 50 years ago this hour (Dec 24 1964)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - LBJ Goes to War [3/11]' (Dec. 24, 1964, at 21:15)

(Thursday, December 24, 1964, Christmas Eve, 5:45 p.m. local time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Two Viet Cong operatives detonated a car bomb tonight underneath the Brink Hotel in Saigon, which housed United States Army officers. The explosion killed two Americans, an officer and an NCO, and injured approximately 60, including military personnel and Vietnamese civilians.

Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara addresses United Nations 50 years ago today (Dec 11 1964)

1960s, Cold War


Video: 'Che Guevara speech at UN 1964 (English subtitles!!)'

(Friday, December 11, 1964; during the Cold War) — Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara addressed the United Nations today, declaring that “the final hour of colonialism has struck.” Continue reading Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara addresses United Nations 50 years ago today (Dec 11 1964) →

New Saigon riots by Buddhists bring crackdown in South Vietnam 50 years ago today (Nov 25 1964)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - LBJ Goes to War [3/11]' (November 1964 at 28:25)

(Wednesday, November 25, 1964; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Measures based on martial law were imposed on Saigon, South Vietnam, tonight after rioting that spread across the capital.

Ford, Brezhnev reach accord on arms control at Vladivostok 40 years ago today (Nov 24 1974)

1970s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Meeting in Vladivostok (1974)' (Nov. 23-24, 1974)

(Sunday, November 24, 1974) — American President Gerald Ford and Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev agreed today to terms that would limit both nations an “equal aggregate number” of various weapons on the second and final day of the Vladivostok Summit Meeting on Arms Control.

Ford, Brezhnev begin two-day summit in Vladivostok, Russia 40 years ago today (Nov 23 1974)

1970s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Meeting in Vladivostok (1974)' (Nov. 23-24, 1974)

(Saturday, November 23, 1974) — The Vladivostok Summit Meeting on Arms Control, a two-day summit between American President Gerald Ford and Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev for the purpose of extending arms control provisions between the Soviet Union and the United States, began this afternoon in Vladivostok, Russia. Continue reading Ford, Brezhnev begin two-day summit in Vladivostok, Russia 40 years ago today (Nov 23 1974) →