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Truman Doctrine
President Truman asked for U.S. assistance for Greece and Turkey to forestall communist domination. Historians cite that this was the official start and declaration of the Cold War.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/truman-doctrine-is-announced -
The Marshall Plan
The Marshall plan, also known as the European Recovery Program, channeled over $13 billion to finance the economic recovery of Europe between 1948 and 1951. This plan resulted in great economic recovery. The Marshall Plan received its name from Secretary of State George C. Marshall, who announced it in a commencement speech at Harvard University on June 5, 1947.
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/marshall-plan -
China Becomes Communist
Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong declared the creation of the People's Republic of China (PRC). This announcement ended the civil battle between the Communist north and Nationalist south that broke out immediately after World War II. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/chinese-rev -
Bay of Pigs
In April 1961, the CIA launched an attack on Cuba to push Fidel Castro (Cuba’s Nationalist leader) from power because two years ago, Fidel Castro drove his guerilla army into Havana and overthrew General Fulgencio Batista (the nation’s American-backed leader). The CIA planned to have 1,400 American-trained Cuban refugees invade Cuba. Unfortunately, the invasion did not go too well and the invaders were severely outnumbered by Castro’s Nationalist troops, which forced us to surrender within 24 ho -
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Berlin Wall
On August 13, 1961, the Communist government of the German Democratic Republic, (or East Germany) began to build a barbed wire and concrete “antifascist bulwark”, between East and West Berlin. The purpose of this was to block Western “fascists” from entering East Germany. The Berlin Wall stood until November 9, 1989. The Berlin Wall remains as one of the most powerful symbols of the Cold War today.
http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/berlin-wall -
Cuban Missile Crisis
On October 22, 1962, US President John F. Kennedy announced on television that the Soviets had secretly installed nuclear missiles in Cuba that were aimed towards the United States. This led to a 13 day standoff. President Kennedy also announced in his speech on TV that he decided to enact a blockade and enforced that the US was prepared to use military force. On October 26, Soviet leader, Kruschev, sent a letter to President Kennedy that he will remove the missiles.
http://www.history.com/topi -
Man on the Moon
On July 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong landed on the moon at 10:56 pm EDT, said "that's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/armstrong-walks-on-moon -
US invades Grenada
President Ronald Raegan ordered the Marines to invade and secure their safety.Nearly 1,000 Americans were in Grenada at the time, many were medical students. This situation has been a concern to American since 1970, when leftist Maurice Bishop seized power in Grenada and grew relations with Cuba.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/united-states-invades-grenada
