cold war timeline By ibarra_ May 9, 1945 World War II ends in Europe. Aug 8, 1945 U.S. drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Jun 1, 1948 Berlin Airlift begins (ends May 19, 1949) Apr 8, 1949 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) established Feb 5, 1950 The United Kingdom recognizes the People's Republic of China. The Republic of China severs diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom Jun 8, 1950 U.S. and other U.N. members fight North Korean forces (the Korean War ends July 27, 1953) Feb 8, 1959 Fidel Castro becomes premier of Cuba, installs Communist government Jul 1, 1968 The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is opened for signature. Jan 20, 1969 Richard Nixon becomes President of the United States Mar 10, 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader of the Soviet Union, the following year he declares glasnost and perestroika