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U.S. drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.
On Aug. 6, 1945, U.S. war plane Enola Gay dropped “Little Boy,” a 8,900-pound atomic bomb, on Hiroshima, Japan. Within eight days, Japan surrendered, ending World War II. -
Period: to
The Cold War
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Berlin Airlift begins
The Berlin Airlift showed the Soviet Union that the western Allies weren't leaving the citizens of West Berlin behind and would do anything to preserve their independence. -
Korean War begins
Stalin supports North Korea who invaded South Korea equipped with Soviet weapons. -
Warsaw Pact formed
Was an attempt by the Soviet to retaliate against the United State's NATO, which was a military alliance formed by the US. -
Sputnik launched into orbit
Sputnik caught the American public off-guard because of it's impressive size. The public feared that the Soviets' abilitiy to launch satellites gave them the capability to launch nuclear weapons to the U.S. -
John F. Kennedy elected President of USA
Kennedy promised to renovate America's foreign policy, by exploring options ignored by the Eisenhower administration. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
It was the closest the world ever came to a nuclear war, and it was provoked by the Americans. -
B-52s Bomb North Vietnam
The bombers struck in Vinh, 145 miles north of the Demilitarized Zone. -
North Korea captured U.S.S. Pueblo
It was the biggest crisis in two years between the United States and North Korea. -
Cease fire in Vietnam between North Vietnam and United States
The cease-fire began on time, but both sides violated it. -
North Vietnam defeats South Vietnam
South Vietnam then fell to communist forces. -
U.S. and China establish diplomatic relations.
A diplomatic relationship opened a channel for exchange and co-operation between China and the United States. -
U.S. troops invades and overthrows regime in Grenada
In little more than a week, Grenada's government was overthrown. -
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty
Reagan and Gorbachev agree to remove all medium and short-range nuclear missiles -
End of Soviet Union and the Cold War Ends
The Soviet Union collapsed economically so the USA no longer had an enemy.
