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Berlin Airlift
In 1948, the Russians closed all highways, railroads and canals from western-occupied Germany into western-occupied Berlin. The U.S. and their allies responded by delivering supplies to the people in West Berlin by airplane. -
Creation of Israel
David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel. U.S. President Harry S. Truman recognized the new nation on the same day. Although the United States supported the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which favored the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had assured the Arabs in 1945 that the United States would not intervene without consulting both the Jews and the Arabs in that region. -
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Korean War
The war was between North and South Korea along with other countries aiding either side. The U.S. joined because President Truman was afraid of the "Domino theory" and wanted to stop the spread of communism. -
Formation of the Warsaw Pact
The Soviet Union and seven of its European satellites sign a treaty establishing the Warsaw Pact, a mutual defense organization that put the Soviets in command of the armed forces of the member states. The members would aid any other member who was attacked by an outside force. -
Launch of Sputnik
The Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I, the world's first artificial satellite. That launch ushered in new political, military, technological, and scientific developments. It marked the start of the space age and the U.S.-U.S.S.R space race. -
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Cuban Missle Crisis
Leaders of the U.S. and the Soviet Union engaged in a 13-day political and military standoff in October 1962 over the installation of nuclear-armed Soviet missiles in Cuba. The missles were located just 90 miles from U.S. shores. -
Ayatollah Khomeini is Supreme Leader of Iran
The leader is more powerful than the the President of Iran and appoints the heads of many powerful posts in the military, the civil government, and the judiciary. He remained Supreme Leader until his death in 1989. -
Assassination of Egyptian President Sadat
President Sadat was assassinated during the annual victory parade held in Cairo to celebrate Operation Badr. He was assassinated by fundamentalist army officers. -
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Tiananmen Square Protest
The protests were student-led popular demonstrations in Beijing. They were triggered by the death of former Communist Party General Secretary, Hu Yaobang, a political reformer. The protests were forcibly suppressed by hardline leaders who ordered the military to enforce martial law in the country's capital. -
Assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Begin Idian Independence
Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by Yigal Amir during a rally in support of the Oslo Accords.
