Category Archives: Cold War

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

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


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)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


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)

1980s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


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)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


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)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


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.

Communist PT boats allegedly renew raids at Gulf of Tonkin 50 years ago this hour (Aug 4 1964)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - LBJ Goes to War [3/11]' (Gulf of Tonkin incident, Aug. 4, 1964, at 12:35)

(Tuesday, August 4, 1964, 10:30 p.m. North Vietnamese time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The Defense Department announced tonight that North Vietnamese PT boats made a “deliberate attack” today on two United States destroyers patrolling international waters in the Gulf of Tonkin off North Vietnam. Continue reading Communist PT boats allegedly renew raids at Gulf of Tonkin 50 years ago this hour (Aug 4 1964) →

Geneva Accords divide Vietnam into northern, southern entities 60 years ago today (July 21 1954)

Cold War, First Indochina War


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 1' (July 21, 1954, at 55:03)

(Wednesday, July 21, 1954; during the First Indochina War, part of the Cold War) — France and the three associated states of Indochina signed armistice agreements with the Communists today that extended the Iron Curtain around North Vietnam, a land of 13 million.

The United States warned it would view “with grave concern” any revival of aggression violating the agreements.

Diem appointed prime minister of South Vietnam 60 years ago today (July 7 1954)

1950s, Cold War, First Indochina War


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 2' (July 7, 1954, at 4:18)

(Wednesday, July 7, 1954; during the First Indochina War, part of the Cold War) — Two months after the French surrendered to the Viet Minh at Dien Bien Phu, Emperor Bao Dai appointed Ngo Dinh Diem today as prime minister of what would become South Vietnam, hoping he would be able to attract American aid.

Nixon, Brezhnev sign treaty limiting size of underground nuclear weapons tests 40 years ago today (July 3 1974)

1970s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Image: U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (L) joins President Richard Nixon and Russian leaders in a toast after the signing of agreements at the Kremlin on July 3, 1974 following a seven-day summit.

(Wednesday, July 3, 1974; during the Cold War) — U.S. President Richard Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed a treaty today in Moscow limiting the size of underground nuclear weapons tests. Nixon then flew back to the U.S., landing at a small air force base in Maine and gave the nation a report on his foreign travels (click here for video at 2:35:53).