Category Archives: Cold War

U.S. discovers Soviet SS-4 construction site in Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: October 14, 1962 (at 7:54)

(Sunday, October 14, 1962, during the Cold War) — A United States Air Force U-2 plane, piloted by Major Richard Heyser on a photoreconnaissance mission, captured photographic proof today of what turned out to be an SS-4 construction site at San Cristóbal, Pinar del Río Province, in western Cuba. Continue reading U.S. discovers Soviet SS-4 construction site in Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)

Major breakthrough reached in Vietnam War peace talks 40 years ago today (1972)


Video: Oct. 8, 1972 (0:41)

(Sunday, October 8, 1972, during the Vietnam War, part of the Cold War) — At the Paris Peace Talks, North Vietnam’s negotiator, Le Duc Tho reached an agreement today with Henry Kissinger of the United States on ending the Vietnam War. Continue reading Major breakthrough reached in Vietnam War peace talks 40 years ago today (1972)

Teen killed by border guards while trying to flee East Germany 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: 'Peter Fechter verblutet in Berlin: 17. August 1962 - Er ruhe jetzt in Frieden'

(Friday, August 17, 1962) — Peter Fechter, 18, was killed by East German border guards today as he attempted to cross the Berlin Wall into West Berlin. Continue reading Teen killed by border guards while trying to flee East Germany 50 years ago today (1962)

14 nations sign treaty on Laos independence 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: July 23, 1962 (at 5:51)

(Monday, July 23, 1962, during the the Laotian Civil War, part of the Vietnam War/Second Indochina War, part of the Cold War) — Delegates of 14 nations today signed the International Agreement on the Neutrality of Laos, formally bringing to a close 14 months of efforts to restore peace to the Asian kingdom.

Jury awards John Henry Faulk $3.5 million in libel suit over charges of red links 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: 'Firing Line "Should the House Committee on Un-American Activities Be Abolished?"' (taped Apr. 21, 1966)

(Thursday, June 28, 1962) — A jury in New York awarded $3.5 million to former radio-TV personality John Henry Faulk today in his libel suit against the group AWARE Inc. and two individuals who’d accused him of Communist sympathies and gotten him blacklisted. The judgment was reduced to $550,000 by an appeals court.