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Major Events of the Cold War

Explore the major events and turning points of the Cold War, the global rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union and their allies. Discover political crises, military conflicts, nuclear tensions, alliances, proxy wars, technological competition, and diplomatic developments that shaped international affairs from the late 1940s through the early 1990s.

Major Historical Events of the Cold War

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📅 Sep 18, 1947

The National Security Act Creates the CIA

On September 18, 1947, the National Security Act created the CIA, the National Security Council and an independent Air Force.

📖Military & Warfare📖Politics
🔖Cold War
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📅 Sep 9, 1948

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea Is Proclaimed

On September 9, 1948, the DPRK was proclaimed in the north of Korea with Kim Il Sung as premier, splitting the peninsula.

⛳North Korea
📖Military & Warfare📖Politics
🔖Cold War
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📅 Sep 15, 1959

Khrushchev Becomes the First Soviet Leader to Visit the United States

On September 15, 1959, Nikita Khrushchev became the first Soviet leader to visit the United States, spending 13 days in the country.

📖Diplomacy📖Politics
🔖Cold War
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📅 Sep 11, 1971

Nikita Khrushchev Dies in Moscow

On September 11, 1971, Nikita Khrushchev died in Moscow, seven years after the party removed him from power.

⛳Soviet Union
📖People📖Politics
🔖Cold War
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📅 Sep 18, 1973

East and West Germany Are Admitted to the United Nations

On September 18, 1973, East and West Germany both joined the United Nations, 24 years after the two states were founded.

⛳Germany
📖Diplomacy📖Politics
🔖Cold War
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📅 Sep 20, 1977

Vietnam Is Admitted to the United Nations

On September 20, 1977, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam joined the United Nations, two years after reunification ended the Vietnam War.

⛳Vietnam
📖Diplomacy📖Politics
🔖Cold War
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📅 Sep 17, 1980

Solidarity Is Founded at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk

On September 17, 1980, Polish workers founded Solidarity at Gdansk, the first independent trade union in the Soviet bloc.

⛳Poland
📖Movements📖Politics
🔖Cold War
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📅 Sep 20, 1984

A Suicide Bomber Attacks the US Embassy Annex in Beirut

On September 20, 1984, a suicide bombing at the US embassy annex in Beirut killed 23 people and deepened the American withdrawal from Lebanon.

⛳Lebanon
📖Military & Warfare📖Politics
🔖Cold War
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📅 Sep 17, 1991

North and South Korea Join the United Nations Together

On September 17, 1991, North and South Korea joined the United Nations as separate states, after decades of rival claims to represent all of Korea.

⛳North Korea ⛳South Korea
📖Diplomacy📖Politics
🔖Cold War