Korean War Important Dates

  • UN censures People's Republic of China for "aggression"

  • Korea divided between North and South

    Following Japanese surrender, Soviets maintained military presence in the North with American troops in the South. Temporary border at 38th parallel established.
  • Period: to

    Cold War

    The Cold War was a sustained state of political and military tension between powers in the Western Bloc (the United States with NATO and others) and powers in the Eastern Bloc (the Soviet Union and its allies in Warsaw Pact).
  • North Korea invades South Korea

    North Korean troops cross the 38th parrallel responsible for the division between North and South.
  • Period: to

    Korean War

    The 3-year long proxy war fought between South Korea and North Korea and their allies USA and USSR, respectively.
  • U.S. troops invade at Inchon

    In a surprise landing behind enemy lines, US forces push North Korean army back north of the 38th parallel.
  • Pyongyang falls to UN forces

    North Korean capital is no longer in their control.
  • Chinese divisions enter fighting

    Chinese fight back after American troops fail to stop before the determinged boundary.
  • MacArthur issues an ultimatum to the People's Republic of China

  • Truman relieves MacArthur of command

  • Pace talks begin at Kaesong.

  • US air attack on Pyongyang

  • Communists attack "Pork Chop Hill"

  • Delegates reach agreement at Panmunjom.

  • Peace Treaty signed at Panmunjom.

    38th parallel reset as boundary between communist North and anti-communist South. Cold War tensions continue unabated. Gen. Mark W. Clark says he has "the unenviable distinction of being the first US Army commander to sign an armistice without victory."