1960's Timeline by Gazdzik, Kazimir B

Bay of Pigs (April 17th-20th, 1961)

2024-10-09 22:58:37 UTC

U.S. tries to overthrow Fidel Castro in Cuba after President John F. Kennedy authorizes the mission. The operation is a failure and ends up strengthening Castro's image among the Cuban population.

Berlin Wall (Aug 13th, 1961)

2024-10-09 22:59:35 UTC

Construction of the Berlin Wall started on August 13th, 1961, and it became a physical representation of the differences between Capitalism and Communism.

USSR Tests Tsar Bomba - Largest Nuclear Bomb (Oct. 30, 1961)

2024-10-09 23:01:02 UTC

The bomb yielded 50 megatons, making it more powerful than the bomb dropped on Nagasaki. Shockwave circled the globe three times. Mushroom cloud rose to a height that was roughly 42 miles

Cuban Missile (Oct 16th-29th, 1962)

2024-10-09 23:01:19 UTC

After the United States discovers Soviet missiles in Cuba, the world is put on edge as nuclear war appears imminent. The crisis ends when the U.S. and U.S.S.R. reach an agreement to remove missiles from Turkey and Cuba, respectively.

US-Soviet Hotline (June 20th, 1963)

2024-10-09 23:01:58 UTC

Following the Cuban Missile Crisis, a hotline is established between the White House and the Kremlin. It is commonly known as "the red telephone." This line was installed so the leaders of the US and USSR could communicate in the event of a nuclear war.

Kim Philby Defects to Soviet Union (July 30th, 1963)

2024-10-09 23:03:22 UTC

After other spies were outed (Burgess and MacLean), suspicion moved to Philby and his motives. After leaving the MI6, he moved to Beirut to start a new life as a journalist. Finally, he fled to the Soviet Union in 1963.

US Involvement in Vietnam (Mar 8th, 1965)

2024-10-09 23:04:48 UTC

On March 8th of 1965, 3,500 US Marines came ashore at Da Nang, which marked the first US combat troops to arrive in Vietnam as part of Operation Rolling Thunder (which began on March 3rd).

US-Soviet Union Test Ban Treaty (Aug 5th, 1963)

2024-10-09 23:04:54 UTC

The US and Soviet Union signed a nuclear test ban treaty. The action came in the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis and prohibited the testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater. It was the first arms control treaty of the Cold War.

USSR Invades Czechoslovakia (Aug 20th, 1968)

2024-10-09 23:07:11 UTC

On August 20th of 1968, the USSR led Warsaw Pact troops into Czechoslovakia, Their goal was to crack down on reformist movements throughout the country that were taking root.

Chinese Cultural Revolution Begins (May 16, 1966

2024-10-09 23:10:38 UTC

This revolution was launched by Mao Zedong. He feared that the country would develop by using the Soviets as a model.

Moon Landing (July 20, 1969)

2024-10-09 23:15:00 UTC

The first moon landing took place on July, 20, 1969. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle on the moon. The Apollo program ran from 1968-1972.

Tet Offensive (Jan 30th until Mar 28th, 1968)

2024-10-09 23:19:42 UTC

The Tet Offensive was a series of attacks by the North Vietnamese against the South Vietnamese during the Lunar New Year. Although the US and South Vietnam were able to mount a successful defense, it ended up dealing a heavy blow to their morale and was an impetus for the withdrawal of U.S. troops.