Cold War By aidansel10 May 9, 1945 World War II ends in Europe Period: May 9, 1945 to Dec 25, 1991 The Cold War Aug 15, 1945 World War II ends in Asia Oct 1, 1949 Mao Zedong establishes the People's Republic of China Period: Jun 25, 1950 to Jul 27, 1953 Korean War Jan 8, 1959 Fidel Castro leads communist revolution in Cuba Aug 13, 1961 Berlin Wall is built. Nov 24, 1963 U.S. enters the Vietnam war Apr 30, 1975 Vietnam War ends with North Vietnamese victory. Sep 9, 1976 Mao Zedong dies. Dec 26, 1991 The Soviet Union breaks up and the Cold War ends.