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.
HUAC Opens Hollywood Hearings
HUAC began hearings on Communist influence in Hollywood on October 20, 1947. The investigation led to a blacklist that ended careers for years.
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.
The German Democratic Republic Is Founded in the Soviet Zone
The German Democratic Republic was founded on October 7, 1949, in the Soviet occupation zone, four months after the West German state.
Britain Tests Its First Atomic Bomb
On October 3, 1952, Britain detonated its first atomic bomb, Hurricane, off Western Australia.
The United States Tests the First Hydrogen Bomb
On November 1, 1952, the U.S. detonated Ivy Mike, the first hydrogen bomb, at Enewetak Atoll in the Pacific.
West Germany Joins NATO
West Germany joined NATO on October 22, 1954, rearming a defeated nation. The move deepened the Cold War division of Europe.
Ngo Dinh Diem Becomes President of South Vietnam
On October 26, 1955, Ngo Dinh Diem made himself president of South Vietnam after a rigged vote against Bao Dai.
The Hungarian Revolution Begins
The Hungarian Revolution began on October 23, 1956, with a demonstration in Budapest. Soviet forces crushed it weeks later.
Soviet Tanks Crush the Hungarian Revolution
On November 4, 1956, Soviet tanks rolled into Budapest and crushed the Hungarian Revolution.
British and French Troops Land at Port Said
On November 5, 1956, British and French forces began to land at Port Said, two weeks after Israel invaded the Sinai.
The Soviet Union Launches Sputnik 1
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite in orbit.
The Soviet Union Sends a Dog Into Orbit
On November 3, 1957, the USSR launched Sputnik 2 with Laika, the first animal in orbit.
Guinea Becomes Independent From France
On October 2, 1958, Guinea became independent from France after rejecting the French Community.
Chinese Troops Leave North Korea
On October 26, 1958, the last Chinese units withdrew from North Korea, five years after the armistice that ended the fighting.
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.
The USS Enterprise, First Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier, Is Launched
On September 24, 1960, the USS Enterprise was launched at Newport News, the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the world.
The Soviet Union Tests the Tsar Bomba
On October 30, 1961, the Soviet Union detonated the Tsar Bomba, the largest nuclear blast ever.
Kennedy Announces the Cuba Quarantine
President Kennedy announced the discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba on October 22, 1962, and ordered a naval quarantine. The Cuban Missile Crisis began.
The Cuban Missile Crisis Ends
On October 28, 1962, Khrushchev announced the removal of Soviet missiles from Cuba, ending the thirteen day Cuban missile crisis.
The Partial Test Ban Treaty Takes Effect
The Partial Test Ban Treaty took effect on October 10, 1963, ending nuclear tests in the atmosphere, in space and under water.
South Vietnam's President Ngo Dinh Diem Is Killed
On November 2, 1963, South Vietnam's President Diem was killed in a coup in Saigon.
Voskhod 1 Carries Three Cosmonauts Into Orbit
The Soviet Union launched Voskhod 1 on October 12, 1964, the first spacecraft to carry three people, in a rushed bid to beat Gemini.
China Explodes Its First Atomic Bomb
China exploded its first atomic bomb at Lop Nur on October 16, 1964, becoming the fifth country with nuclear weapons.
Che Guevara Is Executed at La Higuera
Che Guevara was executed at La Higuera in Bolivia on October 9, 1967, one day after Bolivian Rangers captured him.
The Outer Space Treaty Enters Into Force
The Outer Space Treaty entered into force on October 10, 1967, banning national claims on the Moon and weapons of mass destruction in orbit.
The Tlatelolco Massacre in Mexico City
On October 2, 1968, soldiers fired on students at Tlatelolco in Mexico City, days before the Olympics.
Salvador Allende Is Elected in Chile
Salvador Allende was confirmed as president of Chile on October 24, 1970, the first Marxist elected democratically. His government fell in a 1973 coup.
Nikita Khrushchev Dies in Moscow
On September 11, 1971, Nikita Khrushchev died in Moscow, seven years after the party removed him from power.
The United Nations Restores China's Seat
On October 25, 1971, the UN General Assembly restored the People's Republic of China's seat by Resolution 2758, removing the Taipei representatives.
Egypt and Syria Attack Israel, Starting the Yom Kippur War
Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on October 6, 1973, opening the Yom Kippur War and triggering the Arab oil embargo.
The Thammasat University Massacre in Bangkok
Police and paramilitaries killed 46 students at Thammasat University in Bangkok on October 6, 1976, and the army took power.
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.
Park Chung-hee Is Assassinated
On October 26, 1979, South Korea's president Park Chung-hee was shot by his own spy chief, Kim Jae-gyu, in Seoul.
Solidarity Is Recognized in Poland
Poland recognized the independent union Solidarity on October 24, 1980. It was the first free union in the Soviet bloc.
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.
Reagan and Gorbachev Meet at Reykjavik
Reagan and Gorbachev met at Reykjavik on October 11, 1986, and came close to abolishing nuclear weapons before talks broke down over SDI.
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.