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Yalta Conference
Yalta conference is held from the 4th-11th, the Cold war begins during this time. -
World War II Ends
World War II comes to an end in Europe on this date. -
Berlin Bloackade Starts
The Soviet Union blocks the Western Allies access to the sectors of Berlin that were under Allied control. -
Soviets Explode First Atomic Bomb
At a remote testing site, the USSR successfully detonates its first atomic bomb, "First Lightening". -
Federal Civil Defense Administration is Established
Organized by Harry Truman due to public pressure after the detonation of the Soviets atomic bomb. -
U.S. Plane Shot Down
Called the U-2 incident. A United States spy plane was shot down over Soviet territory; pilot survives. -
John F. Kennedy
John Kennedy is elected president on Nov. 8 1960. -
Bay of Pigs
Bay of Pigs was a failed military invasion of Cuba. The invading force was defeated by Castro's armed forces within 3 days time. -
Kennedy Requests Spending Increase
John F. Kennedy requests a 25% spending increase for the military. He proposed to increase the defense budget by $3.25 billion and to employ 200 more troops. -
Berlin Wall
Construction of the Berlin wall begins. The wall separated East Germany from West Germany, came to be called the "iron curtain". -
Cuban Missile Crisis
13 day confrontation between the Soviet Union and Cuba versus the United States. Said to be the time when the Cold War came closest to becoming a nuclear battle. -
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
The United States, United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union sign this to agree to no nuclear testing. -
Soviets Invade Afghanistan
The Soviets invade Afghanistan in December 1979, the war wil last nine years. It was fought between the Soviet led Afghan forces and insurgent groups. -
Star Wars is Proposed
U.S. President Ronald Reagan proposes the strategic defense intiative (star wars). Proposal to use ground-based and space-based systems to protect the United States from attacks by nuclear missiles. -
Berlin Wall Comes Down
The Berlin wall is dismantled on Nov. 9 1989 signifying the end of the cold war and the fall of communist governments.
