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Germany Surrenders
On this day, Germany surrenders from World War II on V-E Day. Just 4 days earlier the German General Tsjoeikow signed the document of surrender on Germany's behalf. -
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Cold War Timeline
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Japan Surrenders
After suffering a great loss of citizens to the atomic bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan declared its formal surrender on this date. -
Japan signs the formal document of surrender
After the war was over in August, on September 2, Japan signed the official document stating their surrender to the Allied Forces. -
Truman Doctrine Speech
On March 12, 1947 President Harry S. Truman gave a speech on the Truman Doctrine which promoted the end of Communism. -
Marshall Plan is Proposed
In June 1947, the Marshall plan was proposed to give aid to the countries in Europe that were rebuilding after the war. -
The Soviet Union occupies East Germany
In 1949, Germany was split into East Germany, which was controlled by the Soviet Union as a Communist country, and West Germany, which was controlled by a Democracy. -
NATO is established
In April 1949, NATO is ratified and promotes the coming together of the allied countries to prevent future world wars. Membership was optional and the United States did join. The Headquarters are in New York, New York. -
Soviets Gain Nuclear Weapons
On this date the Soviets gain Nuclear Weapons which made 2 countries that now had Nuclear Weapons. One type of bomb made by the Soviets was the Tsar Bomba which is known to be the biggest nuclear weapon having over 57000000 tons of TNT -
China becomes Communist
In 1949, under the leader Mao Zedong, China becomes a Communist country despite efforts by the United States to keep China from becoming a Communist country -
South Korea is invaded by North Korea
On June 25, 1950 North Korea advances into South Korea in an effort to make all of Korea Communist. -
Truman fires General MacArthur
On April 11, 1951 President Truman fires General MacArthur releasing him from duty in the Korean War. -
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are executed
After suspicion of the Rosenbergs being Soviet spies, they were put to trial. At the trial Julius and Ethel were found guilty and were executed by electric chair in 1953. -
Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected President
Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected to become th 34th president of the United States. -
Warsaw Pact is established
In May 1955, the Warsaw Pact created by the Soviets was an allance between the Communist countries. Unlike NATO, the membership was not an option and the countries were forced to be members. -
Fidel Castro becomes the leader of Cuba
In 1959, Fidel Castro becomes the leader of Cuba. This alerted the Americans becasue Fidel Castro had ties with the Soviet Union and allowed them to store their nuclear weapons there. -
Bay of Pigs attack
In April 1961, the United States attempted to launch a surprise attack on Cuba to overthrow Fidel Castro. The efforts failed and this attack was known as an embarrassment to the U.S. -
Cuban Missle Crisis
In 1962, there was a Cuban Missile Crisis when the U.S. obtained a photo of a missile being created in Cuba. President Kennedy ordered a naval blockage which stopped the ships from delivering missiles. The Soviets ultimately changed their minds and removed the bases. -
President John F. Kennedy is assassinated
In November 1963 when Kennedy was riding in a motorcade, he was assassinated. There are lots of theories to who shot Kennedy and why he was killed. -
Nixon becomes President
In 1969, Nixon becomes the 37th President of the United States. -
North Vietnam captures Saigon
In 1975, North Vietnam successfully captures Saigon which was a major city in South Vietnam. Vietnam later bacame a fully Communist country -
Gulf of Tonkin attack
It is speculated that the Americans made up this "big storm" off of the coast of the Gulf of Tonkin as an excuse to attack Vietnam and cause a really big war.
