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Following Japanese surrender, Soviets maintained military presence in the North with American troops in the South. Temporary border at 38th parallel established
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A pro-Soviet puppet government is left in charge of North Korea with a vastly superior army to U.S.-supported South
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Whether North Koreans acted with Stalin's approval is still debated
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In the morning, President Truman issues a statement announcing to the American public the decision made at Blair House on the 25th and 26th of June: "I have ordered United States air and sea forces to give the Korean Government troops cover and support."
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With the Soviet Union absent from the Security Council, the U.S. was able to win agreement from UN to support South Korea. MacArthur appointed to command UN operations
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In surprise landing behind enemy lines, US forces push North Korean army back north of the 38th parallel
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North Korean capital now in UN control
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In message to House Republican leader Martin, MacArthur expresses his frustration with the limited war U.S. is fighting against communists
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Talks drag on until 1953 and war is settled with the establishment of a DMZ (demilitarized zone) on each side of the 38th parallel
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With the Korean War seemingly settling into a bloody stalemate, the United Nations passes a resolution calling for a negotiated end to the conflict. The first peace talks between American, Chinese, North Korean, and South Korean negotiators will begin in August 1951, but will drag on for nearly two years.
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Following several warnings about insubordination, Truman angers public (69% support MacArthur) by firing the US commander
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In emotional speech, MacArthur declares "Old soldiers never die, they merely fade away".
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With increased opposition, UN offensive stalls and then collapses. Chinese troops push UN forces back across 38th parallel and capture Southern capital of Seoul
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Eisenhower pledges to go to Korea to end the war. VP candidate Nixon contends Democrats had caved in to communists in Korea and that Democrat presidential candidate Stevenson should be called "Adlai the Appeaser"
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Formal peace treaty never signed. Over 1,000,000 Koreans and 54,000 Americans killed in conflict plus thousands who die as prisoners of war