Category Archives: Cold War

Heavy fighting breaks out in Vietnam 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (late 1973 at 15:17)

(Sunday, November 4, 1973; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The heaviest fighting since the January 1973 signing of the Vietnam cease-fire broke out in pre-dawn darkness today as North Vietnamese troops and tanks backed by artillery and at least 20 tanks attacked a former U.S. Green Beret outpost 115 miles northeast of Saigon, military spokesman said.

South Vietnamese President Ngo Dihn Diem assassinated in military coup 50 years ago this hour (1963)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 2' (Nov. 2, 1963, at 48:16)

(Saturday, November 2, 1963, just after 6:50 a.m. ICT; during the 1963 South Vietnamese coup, part of the Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem and his younger brother Ngo Dinh Nhu were arrested and assassinated this morning after the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) had been successful in a bloody overnight siege on Gia Long Palace in Saigon. Continue reading South Vietnamese President Ngo Dihn Diem assassinated in military coup 50 years ago this hour (1963)

Kennedy questions whether Soviet Union abandoning moon race 50 years ago this hour (1963)


Video: 'President John F. Kennedy's 63rd News Conference - October 31, 1963'

(Thursday, October 31, 1963, 4:00 p.m. EDT; during the Cold War and Space Race) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy told a news conference today that he “would not make any bets at all upon Soviet intentions” despite Premier Khrushchev’s statement that his country would not race to the moon but, rather, would profit from American experience in that field. Continue reading Kennedy questions whether Soviet Union abandoning moon race 50 years ago this hour (1963)

Diem reviews troops in Saigon 50 years ago today (1963)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 2' (Oct. 26, 1963, at 45:26)

(Saturday, October 26, 1963; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem reviewed 8,000 troops and $20 million worth of arms contributed by the U.S. for the war against Communist guerrillas today in Saigon on Vietnam’s national day, knowing that a coup against him was being planned.

Yom Kippur War truce begins 40 years ago this hour (1973)


Video: 'Our World Fall 1973 Part 1' (Oct. 6-25, 1973, at 3:16)

(Thursday, October 25, 1973, 7 a.m. local time; during the Yom Kippur War, part of the Cold War and Arab–Israeli conflict) — A cease-fire to end The Yom Kippur War, the fourth and largest Arab–Israeli conflict, went into effect this morning, 19 days after Egyptian and Syrian forces attacked Israeli forces in the Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights. Continue reading Yom Kippur War truce begins 40 years ago this hour (1973)

Kennedy okays sale of U.S. wheat to Russians 50 years ago this hour (1963)


Video: 'October 9, 1963 - President John F. Kennedy says 'Yes' for wheat for Russia'

(Wednesday, October 9, 1963, 6:00 p.m. EDT) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy announced the sale of U.S. wheat to Russia and communist nations of Eastern Europe during a news conference tonight (click here for extended audio of the news conference). Continue reading Kennedy okays sale of U.S. wheat to Russians 50 years ago this hour (1963)

21 killed in failed assassination attempt on South Korean President Chun 30 years ago this hour (1983)


Video: 'Rangoon bombing of October 9, 1983'

(Sunday, October 9, 1983, 10:25 a.m. MMT; during the Cold War) — 21 people, including South Korean Foreign Minister Lee Beom-seok, were killed today when a bomb exploded as they prepared for a wreath-laying ceremony in Rangoon, Burma. Continue reading 21 killed in failed assassination attempt on South Korean President Chun 30 years ago this hour (1983)

Kennedy suggests joint US-USSR expedition to moon 50 years ago this hour (1963)


Video: 'John F. Kennedy (USA), General Assembly (20 September 1963)'

(Friday, September 20, 1963, 11:00 a.m. EDT) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy urged in a major policy speech before the United Nations today that the United States and Russia become partners in space and put a man on the moon together as a positive step toward ending the Cold War.

Kennedy told the 18th UN General Assembly session that East and West could engage in a “contest of achievement instead of intimidation.”

JFK warns Diem regime U.S. will oppose all divisive actions 50 years ago today (1963)


Video: 'JFK PRESS CONFERENCE #61 (SEPTEMBER 12, 1963)'

(Thursday, September 12, 1963, afternoon EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy placed the Saigon Government on notice today that the United States was not in Vietnam “to see a war lost.”