Category Archives: Cold War

Johnson warns Red Chinese against ‘nuclear blackmail’ 50 years ago this hour (Oct 18 1964)


Video: 'Lyndon B. Johnson-Report to the Nation on Events in China and the USSR (October 18, 1964)'

(Sunday, October 18, 1964, 8:30 p.m. EDT; during the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon Johnson told the people of the United States tonight that despite the Chinese Communists’ nuclear explosion and the change of Government in the Soviet Union, “the key to peace is to be found in the strength and the good sense of the United States” (click here to watch the full video).

Civil administration of North Vietnam transferred to Viet Minh 60 years ago today (Oct 11 1954)


Video: 'Vietnam The Ten Thousand Day War 2of13 Dien Bien Phu' (Oct. 11, 1954, at 29:23)

(Monday, October 11, 1954; during the Cold War)Transfer of civil administration of North Vietnam to the Viet Minh was given today. Ho Chi Minh was appointed Prime Minister of North Vietnam, which would be run as a socialist state.

Hanoi acclaims Viet Minh troops after French soldiers depart 60 years ago today (Oct 9 1954)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 1' (Oct. 9, 1954, at 57:07)

(Saturday, October 9, 1954; during the Cold War) — Thirty thousand Viet Minh soldiers, including many who had fought the French at Dien Bien Phu during the First Indochina War, today marched into Hanoi amid the cheers of a flag-waving populace.

250,000 Vietnamese flee Reds, far exceeding expected exodus 60 years ago today (Sep 17 1954)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 2' (Sept. 17, 1954, at 7:09)

(Friday, September 17, 1954; during the Cold War) — More than 250,000 refugees have moved from Communist-controlled North Vietnam to South Vietnam, Harold E. Stassen, Foreign Operations Administrator, said today.

The number has far exceeded every estimate of those to be relocated under provisions of the Geneva cease-fire agreement which went into effect July 22, 1954.

Another coup attempt begins in South Vietnam 50 years ago this morning (Sep 13 1964)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - LBJ Goes to War [3/11]' (Sept. 13, 1964, at 27:36)

(Sunday, September 13, 1964, before dawn local time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The ruling military junta of South Vietnam, led by General Nguyen Khanh, was threatened by a coup attempt this morning by two generals who sent dissident units into the capital Saigon. Continue reading Another coup attempt begins in South Vietnam 50 years ago this morning (Sep 13 1964)

Khanh, 2 others join interim Saigon regime amid riots 50 years ago today (Aug 27 1964)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - LBJ Goes to War [3/11]' (Aug. 27, 1964, at 26:32)

(Thursday, August 27, 1964; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The ruling military revolutionary council elected Maj. Gen. Nguyen Khanh and two other top generals today to run South Vietnam for the next two months amid bloody new riots in Saigon.

President Reagan caught joking about ‘bombing’ Russia 30 years ago today (Aug 11 1984)


Video: 'We begin bombing Russia in five minutes anniversary of Cold War era joke'

(Saturday, August 11, 1984; during the Cold War) — During a voice test for a paid political radio address, U.S. President Ronald Reagan joked that he had “signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.”

Congress gives President Johnson broad powers to wage war in North Vietnam 50 years ago today (Aug 7 1964)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - LBJ Goes to War [3/11]' (Aug. 7, 1964, at 16:08)

(Friday, August 7, 1964; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The House of Representatives and the Senate approved today the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Lyndon B. Johnson broad powers in dealing with reported North Vietnamese attacks on U.S. forces click here watch a clip from ‘The Presidents: LBJ’ at 1:38:48).

First American flier shot down, captured by North Vietnam 50 years ago today (Aug 5 1964)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - America's Enemy [5/11]' (Alvarez at 15:07)

(Wednesday, August 5, 1964; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Navy pilot Everett Alvarez Jr. became the first American flier to be shot down and captured by North Vietnam today; he was held prisoner until February 1973.