1945-1990

By Baiyi

  • End of World War II

    May 8, 1945: Victory in Europe (V-E) Day marks the end of World War II in Europe.
    August 15, 1945: Victory over Japan (V-J) Day signifies the end of World War II in the Pacific.

  • The Cold War

    The Truman Doctrine (1947) and the Marshall Plan aimed to contain the spread of communism. The Berlin Airlift (1948-1949) countered the Soviet blockade of West Berlin. NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is established in 1949. The Warsaw Pact, a military alliance among Soviet Union and its satellite states, is formed in 1955.

  • Korean War

    Conflict between North Korea (with support from China and the Soviet Union) and South Korea (with support from the United Nations and primarily the United States).

  • Vietnam War

    The struggle between communist North Vietnam and non-communist South Vietnam, with the United States heavily involved in support of the South.

  • Berlin Wall

    The construction of the Berlin Wall separates East and West Berlin.

  • Cuban Missile Crisis

    The United States and the Soviet Union come close to nuclear war over Soviet missiles in Cuba.

  • Assassination of John F. Kennedy

    The 35th President of the United States is assassinated in Dallas, Texas.

  • Moon Landing

    Apollo 11 successfully lands astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon.

  • Iranian Revolution

    The Islamic Revolution in Iran leads to the establishment of an Islamic Republic.

  • Iran-Iraq War

    A prolonged conflict between Iran and Iraq.

  • Fall of the Berlin Wall

    The Berlin Wall is opened, symbolizing the end of the Cold War.

  • German Reunification

    East and West Germany are reunified.