-
Soviet Union's First Successful Nuclear Weapon Test
In 1946, the Soviet union had successfully exploded their first atomic bomb, the RDS-1, known in the US as Joe-1. -
Period: to
The Rise of McCarthyism
In the chaos of the Red Scare, Joseph McCarthy took full advantage of this for his own personal gain. He spread rumors about various politicians being associated with the American Communist Party. This led him to rise up in power. His downfall came when he attempted to investigate "communist infiltration into the military." After this point, Eisenhower realized that this needed to be stopped. -
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program, was a U.S. program providing aid to Western Europe following the devastation of World War II. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/marshall-plan-1 -
Berlin Airlift
The Soviets had blocked land routes to and from West Berlin, so the US chose to support Berlin by sending a massive airlift containing food, water, and medicine. It lasted from 6/24/1948 to 5/12/1949 -
NATO Established
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nato-established
"The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is established by 12 Western nations: the United States, Great Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Iceland, Canada, and Portugal."` -
Period: to
Korean War
North Koreans, which was under influence of the Soviet Union, and the South Koreans, which was supported by the United States, had a three year long war that never technically ended. The war reached a stalemate in 1953 -
Trial of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg
In the New York Southern District federal court, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were accused of selling nuclear secrets to the Soviet Union. The trial lasted a month, which ended with the Rosenbergs being sentenced to Death Row.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-rosenberg-trial-begins -
First Hydrogen Bombs Detonated (USA)
The United States launched their first thermonuclear bomb, more popularly know as the Hydrogen Bomb. This gave the US a short-lived advantage in the arms race.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/united-states-tests-first-hydrogen-bomb -
Period: to
Eisenhower's Presidency
In his presidency, he...
-signed the Civil Rights Bill of 1957
-signed the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1957
-balanced the budget three times
-ended the Korean War
-Kept America at peace -
Castro takes over in Cuba
Castro took over Cuba when he established his first communist state in the western hemisphere. After leading an overthrow of the military dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. In July Castro led 120 men in attack on the Moncada army barracks in Santiago de Cuba. The attack failed but looked to improve his authoritarian image. When he was released he was in Mexico and there he met old friends and planned for his return. https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/fidel-castro -
First Hydrogen Bombs Detonated (USSR)
In response to the US detonating their first Hydrogen bomb, the Soviet Union. Andrei Sakharov suggested an idea known as the "Layer Cake". In August 1953, the Soviets successfully detonated their first hydrogen bomb. While not as powerful, it makes up for it portability.
http://www.atomicarchive.com/History/coldwar/page07.shtml -
Hungarian Uprising
In October 1956, the people of Hungary took to the streets to protest for a more democratic government. Soon after, the Soviets crushed the uprising. Irme Nagy, the Hungarian Prime Minister, attempted to seek asylum. He was captured shortly after and executed two years later
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soviets-put-brutal-end-to-hungarian-revolution -
The Little Rock Nine
The Little Rock Nine were nine black students attending Little Rock Central High School. In the decision of Brown Vs. Board of Education, segregation of public schools were deemed unconstitutional. The integrations were first in the high schools. President Eisenhower had to send in federal troops to escort them to school.
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/central-high-school-integration -
Launch of Sputnik 1
In the middle of the arms race and the advancements in technology, the Soviet Union launched the first satellite, Sputnik 1. This made the US fear that they were falling behind in technology.
https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/lw/103729.htm -
John F. Kennedy's Presidency
John F. Kennedy, born in 1917, was the younges and the first Roman Catholic man in office. During his presidency, he tackled the events in Cuba and Vietnam, and eventually getting federal support for the Civil Rights movement. He was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963.
https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/john-f-kennedy -
U2 Spy Plane shot down
In mid-1956, The US U2 spy plane took flight towards the Soviet Union to take pictures of headlines in Russian newspapers. It was able to travel up to 70,000 feet in the air, and equipped with the latest state-of-the-art photograph technology. -
First Man in Space
Aboard the Vostok 1, Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, was the first person to be in space. The trip was completed in 89 minutes. The Vostok 1 orbited Earth at a maximum altitude of 187 miles. After the journey, Gagarin became an instant celebrity. The announcement that the Soviets put the first man in space dealt a huge blow to the US, which their first space flight was scheduled for May 1961.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-man-in-space -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
The Bay of Pigs Invasion was started with a group of trained CIA Cuban refugees. Where they land in Cuba to attempt to topple communist government of Fidel Castro. But the attack was an utter and complete failure.The failure of the invasion cost the U.S. dearly. https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/bay-of-pigs-invasion -
Cuban Missile Crisis
After Cuba was turned communist by Castro, the US and USSR went into a 13 day standoff because a U2 spy plane spotted what seemed to a launch site of nuclear missiles. Shortly after, John F. Kennedy notified the American people in a TV address. Both sides eventually backed down.
https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/cuban-missile-crisis -
1963 March on Washington
Home to Dr. King's,"I Have a Dream" speech, the March on Washington was a massive protest that took place in August 1963. An estimated 250,000 people attended the protest. Before the event, President Kennedy met with the Civil Rights leaders, expressing his concerns that the event would end in violence. -
Birmingham Church Bombing
During the church bombing there were four little girls that were killed and a lot of people were injured. Over the outrage of this event it helped draw national attention to hard fought dangerous struggle for Civil Rights for African Americans. The church bombing occurred on September 15 1963.
https://www.history.com/topics/1960s/birmingham-church-bombing -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This act was to enforce the 15 Amendment to the Constitution and was signed into law 95 years after the amendment was ratified. The act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Voting Rights Act is considered one of the most far-reaching pieces of civil rights in legislation U.S. history.
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/voting-rights-act -
First American Troops Arrive In South Vietnam
The first U.S. combat troops arrive in South Vietnam as 3500 Marines land at the China Beach to defend the American air base at Da Nang. They secured the air base to free south Vietnamese troops for combat. This event of the Vietnam war happened 54 years ago.It took the members of the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade almost an entire day to to bring their men ashore on the day of March 1965. https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/bay-of-pigs-invasion
