Category Archives: Cold War

Cambodia breaks ties with South Vietnam 50 years ago today (1963)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 8' (Aug. 27, 1963, at 13:02)

(Tuesday, August 27, 1963; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Cambodia, broke off diplomatic relations with South Vietnam today in indignation over repeated border incidents and over Saigon’s repression of Buddhist leaders.

Lodge meets Diem in wake of new revolt in South Vietnam 50 years ago today (1963)


Video: 'Vietnam War Documentary | 02 Dien Bien Phu | How America Lost' (Aug. 26, 1963, at 44:24)

(Monday, August 26, 1963; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Newly arrived U.S. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge met with President Ngo Dinh Diem in Saigon, South Vietnam, today, one day after a massive student revolt smashed by armed police.

Lodge arrived Aug. 22, 1963, the day after Diem cracked down on Buddhist opposition an dplaced the country under martial law.

Ambassador Lodge flies into South Vietnam 50 years ago tonight (1963)


Video: 'Vietnam War Documentary | 02 Dien Bien Phu | How America Lost' (Aug. 22, 1963, at 44:24)

(Thursday, August 22, 1963, evening; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge flew into strife-torn Saigon tonight on hurry-up orders from the U.S. government which has sharply denounced yesterday’s government crackdown on Buddhists in South Vietnam.

South Vietnam jails thousands of Buddhist monks, nuns 50 years ago this hour (1963)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 2' (Aug. 21, 1963, at 39:23)

(Wednesday, August 21, 1963, shortly after midnight local time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The Army of the Republic of Vietnam Special Forces, on orders of President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu, arrested thousands of monks and nuns today and vandalized Buddhist pagodas across South Vietnam in what became known as the Xa Loi Pagoda raids.

Admiral Moorer defends secret bombing of Cambodia 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 8' (Aug. 9, 1973, at 40:56)

(Thursday, August 9, 1973; during the Cambodian Civil War, part of Operation Freedom Deal, part of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Admiral Thomas Moorer, chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, told a Senate armed service committee hearing today that the 1969-1970 secret bombing in supposedly neutral Cambodia was necessary to protect American troops from North Vietnamese forces who launched attacks from Cambodian sanctuaries.

U.S. plane accidentally bombs Cambodian village, killing 137 civilians 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 8' (Aug. 6, 1973, at 41:29)

(Monday, August 6, 1973; during the Cambodian Civil War, part of Operation Freedom Deal, part of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — An American B-52 mistakenly dropped its bombs today on Neak Luong, the river town just 30 miles from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. At least 137 Cambodians were killed and another 268 were wounded.

Nuclear test ban treaty signed in Moscow 50 years ago today (1963)


Video: 'August 5, 1963 - Nuclear Test Ban Treaty signed in Moscow, Russia'

(Monday, August 5, 1963; during the Cold War) — In Moscow, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union today signed the first nuclear test ban treaty. The ceremony took place at the Kremlin with U.S. Secretary of State Dean Rusk, British Foreign Secretary Alec Douglas-Home, and Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko signing on behalf of their respective natiions.

Exchange of remaining Korean War prisoners begins 60 years ago today (1953)


Video: 'Korean War - PART 29, Two Koreas...again. 6.25 ??' (Aug. 5, 1953, at 1:43)

(Wednesday, August 5, 1953; during the Cold War)Operation Big Switch began today as remaining prisoners taken during the Korean War, which ended July 27, 1953, with an armistice, were exchanged at Panmunjom. 3,597 Americans would be returned by December.

Guns of war fall silent in Korea 60 years ago this hour (1953)


Video: 'Korean War - PART 28, End of the War, 6.25' (truce takes effect at 9:14)

(Monday, July 27, 1953, 10:00 p.m. local time; during the Korean War, part of the Cold War) — The guns of the Korean War fell silent tonight as a truce ended 37 months of conflict on the Korean Peninsula. The last reported Allied barrage halted at 9:43 p.m. and then it was quiet. Continue reading Guns of war fall silent in Korea 60 years ago this hour (1953)