The Cold War (1945-1991) By la_chica_guera Period: Feb 1, 1945 to Aug 31, 1961 The Cold War May 8, 1945 World War II ends in Europe Aug 6, 1945 U.S. drops the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan Jan 5, 1946 First East European Communist government is set up in Albania. Mar 12, 1947 The Truman Doctrine is announced. Jun 24, 1948 Berlin Airlift begins. This gets quickly resolved on May 19, 1949. Apr 4, 1949 The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is established. Aug 29, 1949 The Soviet Union explodes it's very first atomic bomb. Jun 24, 1950 The U.S. and other U.N. members fight with the North Korean forces. The Korean War ends on July 27, 1953. Aug 20, 1953 U.S. sponsored coup overthrows the Iranian government Jun 20, 1954 The U.S, sponsored coup overthrows the Guatemalan government. Sep 10, 1954 Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) is formed. May 15, 1955 The Warsaw Pact is formed. Jul 24, 1955 The very first Summit Meeting between President Eisenhower and Premier Khrushchev takes place. Feb 8, 1959 Fidel Castro becomes the Premier of Cuba Apr 15, 1961 The Bay of Pigs Invasion of Cuba occurs.