Cold War 1947-1966

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    Cold War 1947-1966

  • Truman Doctrine

    Truman Doctrine
    President Harry S. Truman delivered the Truman Doctrine speech to Congress, requesting $400 million in aid for Greece and Turkey to counter Soviet influence in the post-World War II era. This speech marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, establishing a commitment to supporting free nations resisting communist aggression, thus signaling the beginning of the Cold War.
  • The Marshall Plan

    The Marshall Plan
    The Marshall Plan was proposed by Secretary of State George Marshall in a speech at Harvard University on June 5, 1947. This speech outlined the plan for the United States to provide economic assistance to war-torn European nations.
  • The Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance

    The Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance
    The Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance was signed in Rio de Janeiro. This treaty, signed by many countries in the Americas, was viewed by U.S. President Harry S. Truman as a sign of fidelity to the United Nations. Additionally, that same day, the London Evening Standard published an editorial criticizing London's hosting of the 1948 Summer Olympics, arguing it was an excessive burden during a time of crisis.
  • Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia

    Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia
    the Czechoslovak coup d'état ended when President Beneš agreed to a new Communist-led government, marking a significant shift in Czechoslovak politics. This event was a key milestone in the early years of the Cold War, as it signaled a further expansion of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe. The move by the Czech government to appoint a Communist-led government was seen as a capitulation to Soviet influence and was a catalyst for the adoption of the Marshall Plan and the establishment of NATO.
  • President Truman addressed a joint session of Congress

    President Truman addressed a joint session of Congress
    President Truman addressed a joint session of Congress, calling for the passage of the Marshall Plan and a temporary peacetime draft to counter Soviet influence in Europe.
  • Berlin Blockade Begins

    Berlin Blockade Begins
    the Soviet Union initiated the Berlin Blockade. They cut off all road and rail traffic into West Berlin, effectively isolating the city from the West. This blockade was a key event in the early Cold War, leading to the Berlin Airlift, where the Western Allies supplied West Berlin with essential goods by air.
  • NATO Ratified

    NATO Ratified
    the North Atlantic Treaty was signed, establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This treaty, signed by 12 nations in Washington, D.C., formed a mutual defense pact against potential Soviet aggression.
  • Berlin Blockade Ends

    Berlin Blockade Ends
    the Soviet Union lifted its 11-month blockade of West Berlin. This event marked the end of a key early Cold War crisis and is known as the end of the Berlin Blockade.
  • Russia tested first atomic bomb

    Russia tested first atomic bomb
    the Soviet Union detonated its first atomic bomb, codenamed "First Lightning" or "Joe-1", at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan. This test marked the Soviet Union as the second nation to successfully develop and test a nuclear weapon, triggering the start of the Cold War nuclear arms race. The Soviet Union's atomic bomb test was conducted in secrecy, with the test site being a remote area in Kazakhstan.
  • Truman approved H-bomb development

    Truman approved H-bomb development
    President Harry Truman approved the development of the hydrogen bomb in 1950. He made this decision after the Soviet Union successfully tested its first atomic bomb in 1949. Truman's approval came in response to this development and a desire to maintain a weapons advantage over the Soviets.
  • Joe McCarthy begins Communist witch hunt and loyalty tests

    Joe McCarthy begins Communist witch hunt and loyalty tests
    McCarthy had initiated a series of investigations into potential infiltration of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) by communist agents and came up with a list of security risks that matched one previously compiled by the Agency itself.
  • Korean War begins

    Korean War begins
    news reached President Truman in Independence, Missouri, that North Korea had invaded South Korea. This marked the beginning of the Korean War. The invasion was launched on the morning of June 25 in Korea (June 24 in the US), as South Korean army bases near the border were attacked
  • Korean War: Third Battle of Seoul

    Korean War: Third Battle of Seoul
    the South Korean capital of Seoul was captured by Chinese and North Korean forces for the second time during the Korean War.
  • Truman fires MacArthur

    Truman fires MacArthur
    President Harry S. Truman relieved General Douglas MacArthur of his command in the Korean War. Truman made this decision due to MacArthur's public disagreement with U.S. policy and his concerns that his actions could escalate the conflict. Matthew Ridgway was appointed as his replacement.
  • Mutual Security Act

    Mutual Security Act
    authorized the U.S. to provide military, economic, and technical assistance to friendly nations. This legislation aimed to bolster the defense capabilities of allies, particularly in Western Europe, and counter Soviet influence during the early Cold War. The act, which authorized nearly $7.5 billion in aid, was designed to maintain international peace and security and promote U.S. foreign policy goals.
  • The Marshall Plan comes to its official end, with European production now significantly improved

    The Marshall Plan comes to its official end, with European production now significantly improved
    The Marshall Plan, officially the European Recovery Program, concluded in 1952, with significant positive impacts on European production. The plan aimed to revitalize Western Europe's economy and prevent the spread of communism following World War II. By the end of the program, agricultural and industrial output had substantially increased, contributing to a more stable and prosperous Europe.
  • The United Kingdom tests its first atomic weapon, becoming the world’s third nuclear power.

    The United Kingdom tests its first atomic weapon, becoming the world’s third nuclear power.
    The United Kingdom became the third nuclear power on October 3, 1952, when it successfully detonated its first atomic bomb at the Monte Bello Islands in Western Australia. This event occurred during Operation Hurricane, making the UK the third nation to possess nuclear weapons, after the United States and the Soviet Union.
  • The US detonates a thermonuclear weapon called ‘Ivy Mike’ in the Marshall Islands. Its yield is 10.4 megatons, more than 400 times more powerful than the atomic devices used against Japan in World War II.

    The US detonates a thermonuclear weapon called ‘Ivy Mike’ in the Marshall Islands. Its yield is 10.4 megatons, more than 400 times more powerful than the atomic devices used against Japan in World War II.
    On November 1, 1952, the US detonated the first full-scale thermonuclear device, codenamed "Ivy Mike," in the Marshall Islands. The device, tested at Enewetak Atoll, yielded 10.4 megatons, exceeding the power of the atomic bombs used against Japan in WWII by a factor of 400.
  • Dwight Eisenhower is sworn in as the 34th president of the United States.

    Dwight Eisenhower is sworn in as the 34th president of the United States.
    Dwight D. Eisenhower was sworn in as the 34th president of the United States on January 20, 1953, at the East Portico of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.. This was the 42nd inauguration and marked the beginning of his first term as president.
  • Joseph Stalin dies, having never regained consciousness.

    Joseph Stalin dies, having never regained consciousness.
    On March 5, 1953, Joseph Stalin, the second leader of the Soviet Union, died at his Kuntsevo Dacha after suffering a stroke. He was 74 years old. His death led to a state funeral in Moscow on March 9th, with four days of national mourning declared. Additionally, that day marked the death of other notable figures, including Herman J. Mankiewicz and Sergei Prokofie
  • Korean War Ended

    Korean War Ended
    The Korean War ended on July 27, 1953. An armistice agreement was signed at Panmunjom by representatives of the United Nations Command, North Korea, and China, effectively ending the fighting. This agreement did not, however, officially end the war itself, as no peace treaty was ever signed.
  • H-bomb Castle-Bravo test

    H-bomb Castle-Bravo test
    Castle Bravo was the first in a series of high-yield thermonuclear weapon design tests conducted by the United States at Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands, as part of Operation Castle. Detonated on 1 March 1954, the device remains the most powerful nuclear device ever detonated by the United States and the first lithium deuteride-fueled thermonuclear weapon tested using the Teller–Ulam design.
  • The US Army-McCarthy hearings begin in Washington DC. These hearings, which are televised, expose McCarthy’s questioning to a wider audience.

    The US Army-McCarthy hearings begin in Washington DC. These hearings, which are televised, expose McCarthy’s questioning to a wider audience.
    the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Senate Government Operations Committee, chaired by Joseph McCarthy, began hearings investigating the U.S. Army for potential Communist influence. The hearings were televised and garnered significant public attention. Additionally, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill refused to commit to any military action in Indochina on this day.
  • The US Senate passes a motion censuring Joseph McCarthy.

    The US Senate passes a motion censuring Joseph McCarthy.
    the United States Senate censured Senator Joseph McCarthy for his conduct, specifically his behavior regarding the Watkins Committee and the Subcommittee on Privileges and Elections. This vote, 67 to 22, marked the end of McCarthy's political power and the beginning of the decline of the Red Scare.
  • The US Congress authorises president Dwight Eisenhower to use force to defend Taiwan if it is attacked by the People’s Republic of China.

    The US Congress authorises president Dwight Eisenhower to use force to defend Taiwan if it is attacked by the People’s Republic of China.
    The Formosa Resolution, passed in 1955, was a joint resolution of the US Congress. It explicitly authorized President Eisenhower to use US armed forces to defend Taiwan and the Pescadores Islands against armed attack by the People's Republic of China. This resolution was a direct response to the escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait during the First Taiwan Strait Crisis. The resolution allowed the President to employ US forces.
  • West Germany is granted membership of NATO and begins receiving military assistance from the Western powers.

    West Germany is granted membership of NATO and begins receiving military assistance from the Western powers.
    When the Federal Republic of Germany joined NATO on 6 May 1955, its membership eventually translated into a very substantial contribution to the Alliance's military strength in Europe.
  • The Soviet Union and seven of its satellite nations sign a mutual defence treaty, later dubbed the Warsaw Pact.

    The Soviet Union and seven of its satellite nations sign a mutual defence treaty, later dubbed the Warsaw Pact.
    the Warsaw Treaty Organization, also known as the Warsaw Pact, was signed by the Soviet Union and several East European countries in Warsaw, Poland. This mutual defense treaty was formed as a counter to NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which had been established in 1949.
  • Nikita Khrushchev delivers his ‘Secret Speech‘ denouncing the personality cult and crimes of the Stalin era.

    Nikita Khrushchev delivers his ‘Secret Speech‘ denouncing the personality cult and crimes of the Stalin era.
    Nikita Khrushchev delivered his famous "Secret Speech" at the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. The speech, officially titled "On the Cult of Personality and Its Consequences," was a denunciation of Joseph Stalin and his policies. This event is considered a pivotal moment in the de-Stalinization process and is part of the Khrushchev Thaw.
  • Egyptian ruler Gamal Nasser, now aligned with the Soviet Union, seizes and claims ownership of the Suez Canal.

    Egyptian ruler Gamal Nasser, now aligned with the Soviet Union, seizes and claims ownership of the Suez Canal.
    Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal Company, which sparked a major international crisis. This event, known as the Suez Crisis, led to a brief military conflict involving Britain, France, and Israel, and ultimately resulted in a United Nations peacekeeping force being deployed.
  • Suez Crisis began with Israeli attack led by Moshe Dayan against Egyptian forces in the Sinai

    Suez Crisis began with Israeli attack led by Moshe Dayan against Egyptian forces in the Sinai
    Israel willingly agreed to this scenario since it gave Israel the opportunity to gain control of the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula, end the Egyptian blockade of the Straits of Tiran, and retaliate against Egypt over its support for Palestinian commando raids on Israel's western border during the previous two years.
  • US president Dwight Eisenhower promises military intervention

    US president Dwight Eisenhower promises military intervention
    President Eisenhower announced the Eisenhower Doctrine to Congress. This policy stated that the U.S. would intervene in the Middle East if a country was threatened by armed aggression, as well as provide economic and military aid.
  • Senator Joseph McCarthy dies after a short struggle with alcoholism-related illnes

    Senator Joseph McCarthy dies after a short struggle with alcoholism-related illnes
    the death of Senator Joseph McCarthy was linked to alcoholism, though not directly. His death certificate listed the cause as acute hepatitis of unknown cause, which some biographers believe was related to or exacerbated by his alcoholism, according to Wikipedia. While the hearings were a major catalyst in his downfall, his death was ultimately attributed to the illness.
  • The Soviets launch Sputnik I, the first man-made satellite, into orbit.

    The Soviets launch Sputnik I, the first man-made satellite, into orbit.
    the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth, marking the beginning of the space age and the Space Race. This event sent shockwaves across the world, particularly in the United States, due to its implications for technology and defense during the Cold War.
  • The US launches Explorer 1, its first man-made satellite.

    The US launches Explorer 1, its first man-made satellite.
    the United States launched its first artificial satellite, Explorer 1. The launch, from Cape Canaveral, marked a significant moment in the Space Race and contributed to the creation of NASA.
  • Dwight Eisenhower deploys the US Navy and Marines to Lebanon to support the pro-Western government there.

    Dwight Eisenhower deploys the US Navy and Marines to Lebanon to support the pro-Western government there.
    President Dwight Eisenhower deployed US Navy and Marine forces to Lebanon under Operation Blue Bat to support the pro-Western Lebanese government. This intervention was part of the Eisenhower Doctrine, which pledged US support to countries facing communist threats. The US deployed 14,000 Marines and paratroopers to prevent Lebanon from falling to communism and to stabilize the situation following a period of civil unrest.
  • An American C-130 reconnaissance plane is shot down by MiG fighters after straying into Soviet airspace.

    An American C-130 reconnaissance plane is shot down by MiG fighters after straying into Soviet airspace.
    a US Air Force C-130 reconnaissance aircraft was shot down by Soviet MiG-17 pilots over Soviet Armenia, resulting in the deaths of all 17 crew members. This incident was known as the C-130 shootdown.
  • US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles resigns, after receiving a diagnosis of terminal cancer. He dies on May 24th.

    US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles resigns, after receiving a diagnosis of terminal cancer. He dies on May 24th.
    John Foster Dulles, the US Secretary of State, resigned from his position on April 15, 1959, after being diagnosed with a terminal illness, which was identified as bone cancer. He died on May 24, 1959, at Walter Reed Hospital.
  • Convicted spy Klaus Fuchs is released from prison in Britain, having served almost nine and a half years of his 14-year sentence. Fuchs takes up residence in East Germany.

    Convicted spy Klaus Fuchs is released from prison in Britain, having served almost nine and a half years of his 14-year sentence. Fuchs takes up residence in East Germany.
    Klaus Fuchs, a convicted British spy who passed atomic bomb secrets to the Soviet Union during World War II, was released from prison after serving nearly nine and a half years of his 14-year sentence and subsequently moved to East Germany, where he resumed his scientific career.
  • The US, the Soviet Union and ten other nations sign the Antarctic Treaty. It maintains Antarctica for scientific research and outlaws military bases or operations there.

    The US, the Soviet Union and ten other nations sign the Antarctic Treaty. It maintains Antarctica for scientific research and outlaws military bases or operations there.
    On December 1, 1959, twelve nations, including the United States and the Soviet Union, signed the Antarctic Treaty, according to the British Antarctic Survey. The treaty designates Antarctica as a zone of peace and science, prohibiting any military activity and reserving the continent exclusively for peaceful purposes, including scientific research, says the Antarctic Treaty.
  • Soviet Union reveals that U.S. spy plane was shot down over Soviet territory

    Soviet Union reveals that U.S. spy plane was shot down over Soviet territory
    the Soviet Union revealed that a US spy plane, piloted by Francis Gary Powers, had been shot down over Soviet territory. The incident, known as the U-2 incident, occurred when a U-2 spy plane, flying at high altitude, was shot down by a SA-2 surface-to-air missile, according to the U-2 incident article on Wikipedia.
  • John F. Kennedy elected President of USA

    John F. Kennedy elected President of USA
    John F. Kennedy was elected president in 1960 and became the 35th president of the United States. He was sworn in on January 20, 1961
  • Cuba openly aligns itself with the Soviet Union and their policies

    Cuba openly aligns itself with the Soviet Union and their policies
    With Cuba's proximity to the United States, Castro and his regime became an important Cold War ally for the Soviets. The relationship was for the most part economic, with the Soviet Union providing military, economic, and political assistance to Cuba.
  • Bay of Pigs invasion see Cuban Missile Crisis Timeline

    Bay of Pigs invasion see Cuban Missile Crisis Timeline
    The Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 and the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 were significant Cold War events, but they are distinct: The Bay of Pigs was a US-backed, failed attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro in Cuba, while the Cuban Missile Crisis involved the Soviet Union deploying nuclear missiles to Cuba, which led to a tense standoff between the US and the Soviet Union.
  • Berlin border is closed

    Berlin border is closed
    the SED began to seal off the borders around West Berlin, first with barbed wire and a few days later with walls. It hoped this measure would put an end to the mass exodus to Berlin. It also wanted to stabilize its power and document its sovereignty to the outside world.
  • Construction of Berlin Wall begins

    Construction of Berlin Wall begins
    The construction of the Berlin Wall began on August 13, 1961, when the East German government, also known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), began building a barbed wire and concrete barrier between East and West Berlin. This "Antifascistischer Schutzwall" or "antifascist bulwark" was officially intended to prevent "fascists" from entering East Germany, but its primary purpose was to stop mass defections from East to West.
  • Cuba and the Soviet Union sign a trade agreement.

    Cuba and the Soviet Union sign a trade agreement.
    Cuba and the Soviet Union signed a trade agreement in which the Soviet Union committed to purchasing hundreds of thousands of tons of sugar from Cuba. This agreement also included a $100 million low-interest loan and the Soviet Union agreed to sell Cuba crude oil in exchange for sugar. This marked a significant shift in Cuba's economic focus, moving away from reliance on the United States.
  • John F. Kennedy appears on television and addresses the American people. Kennedy announces a naval blockade of Cuba,

    John F. Kennedy appears on television and addresses the American people. Kennedy announces a naval blockade of Cuba,
    ring of ships, around Cuba. The aim of this "quarantine," as he called it, was to prevent the Soviets from bringing in more military supplies
  • US military commanders set DEFCON 2, prepare ballistic missiles and stock B-52 bombers with nuclear weapons.

    US military commanders set DEFCON 2, prepare ballistic missiles and stock B-52 bombers with nuclear weapons.
    The statement that US military commanders have set DEFCON 2, prepared ballistic missiles, and stocked B-52 bombers with nuclear weapons is a misleading and potentially inaccurate description of a real-world scenario. While DEFCON 2 is a real military alert level, it is not a state where all nuclear forces are automatically deployed.
  • Cuban leader Fidel Castro begins a visit to the Soviet Union.

    Cuban leader Fidel Castro begins a visit to the Soviet Union.
    Specifically Moscow. This visit was part of a broader effort to strengthen ties between the two nations and explore areas of cooperation, such as agriculture and sugar exports. During the trip, Castro and Khrushchev discussed the Soviet Union's experience with agriculture and construction projects like the Siberian hydro power stations. Castro also emphasized the Soviet Union's solidarity with Cuba.
  • The US and USSR agree to install a hotline to allow direct communication in the event of a nuclear crisis.

    The US and USSR agree to install a hotline to allow direct communication in the event of a nuclear crisis.
    In response to the tense atmosphere of the Cold War, and specifically following the Cuban Missile Crisis, the United States and the Soviet Union agreed to establish a direct communication link, known as the Moscow-Washington hotline, to reduce the risk of nuclear war through accident, miscalculation, or surprise attack
  • US president John F. Kennedy is assassinated in the streets of Dallas. Kennedy’s vice president, Lyndon Johnson, becomes president.

    US president John F. Kennedy is assassinated in the streets of Dallas. Kennedy’s vice president, Lyndon Johnson, becomes president.
    President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, while riding in a motorcade. Following his death, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States. The assassination occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. CST, and Vice President Johnson was sworn in aboard Air Force One at around 2:30 p.m. CST.
  • US president Lyndon Johnson and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev agree to reduce production of nuclear weapons materials.

    US president Lyndon Johnson and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev agree to reduce production of nuclear weapons materials.
    US President Lyndon B. Johnson and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev announced a mutual agreement to reduce the production of nuclear weapons materials. This agreement, announced on April 20, 1964, involved the U.S. cutting back production of enriched uranium and shutting down plutonium piles, while the Soviet Union also reduced its production of fissionable materials.
  • China tests its first atomic weapon, becoming the second nuclear-capable communist state.

    China tests its first atomic weapon, becoming the second nuclear-capable communist state.
    China successfully tested its first atomic bomb, marking it as the fifth nation with nuclear capabilities. The test came just two months after the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, raising concerns about potential nuclear confrontation in Southeast Asia. Other notable events included the death of composer Cole Porter, and various news reports about the Vietnam War, election results, and other international events.
  • Lyndon Johnson is reelected president of the United States.

    Lyndon Johnson is reelected president of the United States.
    Lyndon Johnson is reelected president of the United States.
  • The death of former British prime minister Winston Churchill.

    The death of former British prime minister Winston Churchill.
    Sir Winston Churchill died on January 24, 1965, at his London home at the age of 90. He had suffered a series of strokes, the last being on January 15, 1965, from which he never recovered. He was given a state funeral, a rare honor for a non-royal, held at St. Paul's Cathedral.
  • US and South Vietnamese planes commence Operation Rolling Thunder, an ongoing bombing campaign against military and industrial targets in North Vietnam.

    US and South Vietnamese planes commence Operation Rolling Thunder, an ongoing bombing campaign against military and industrial targets in North Vietnam.
    the United States initiated Operation Rolling Thunder, a sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam, according to the Air Force Museum. This operation involved US and South Vietnamese aircraft targeting military and industrial installations in North Vietnam.
  • US president Lyndon Johnson announces that another 50,000 combat troops will be sent to Vietnam.

    US president Lyndon Johnson announces that another 50,000 combat troops will be sent to Vietnam.
    President Lyndon B. Johnson did announce an increase in US troop levels in Vietnam, but the exact number and date differ from the query.
    Specifically, on July 28, 1965, President Johnson announced he was increasing the number of US troops in Vietnam by 50,000, bringing the total to 125,000.
  • The Soviets launch Luna 10, the first man-made probe to orbit the Moon.

    The Soviets launch Luna 10, the first man-made probe to orbit the Moon.
    The Soviet Union launched Luna 10 on March 31, 1966, and it became the first man-made probe to orbit the Moon. According to Wikipedia, Luna 10 entered lunar orbit on April 3, 1966, and completed its first orbit three hours later. NASA's website states that Luna 10 was launched on March 31, 1966, and was the first spacecraft to orbit the Moon.
  • France withdraws its military commitment to NATO.

    France withdraws its military commitment to NATO.
    No countries have left NATO since its founding, although France withdrew from NATO unified command between 1966 and 2009.
  • A Warsaw Pact conference promises support to North Vietnam.

    A Warsaw Pact conference promises support to North Vietnam.
    During the Vietnam War, the Warsaw Pact nations, a communist military alliance, did pledge support to North Vietnam. This support included financial aid, military supplies, and technical assistance. The Warsaw Pact was formed to counter NATO and included countries like the Soviet Union and its Eastern European allies. North Vietnam received significant support from the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact members, including military equipment, advisors, and training.
  • The Cambodian Civil War begins with the Samlaut Uprising.

    The Cambodian Civil War begins with the Samlaut Uprising.
    The Cambodian Civil War began with the Samlaut Uprising, a peasant revolt in the Samlaut area of Cambodia in April 1967. This uprising was fueled by discontent over government policies, corruption, and income inequality
  • U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin in Glassboro, New Jersey for a three-day summit.

    U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin in Glassboro, New Jersey for a three-day summit.
    U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin in Glassboro, New Jersey for a three-day summit.
  • Robert McNamara announces that he will resign as U.S. Secretary of Defense to become President of the World Bank.

    Robert McNamara announces that he will resign as U.S. Secretary of Defense to become President of the World Bank.
    Robert McNamara, the eighth United States Secretary of Defense, resigned from his position to become the President of the World Bank. He served in that role until 1981, overseeing a shift in the World Bank's focus towards poverty reduction. McNamara's resignation occurred after growing skepticism about the efficacy of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.