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End of World War II
May 8, 1945: Victory in Europe (V-E) Day marks the end of World War II in Europe.
August 15, 1945: Victory over Japan (V-J) Day signifies the end of World War II in the Pacific. -
The Cold War
The Truman Doctrine (1947) and the Marshall Plan aimed to contain the spread of communism. The Berlin Airlift (1948-1949) countered the Soviet blockade of West Berlin. NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is established in 1949. The Warsaw Pact, a military alliance among Soviet Union and its satellite states, is formed in 1955. -
Korean War
Conflict between North Korea (with support from China and the Soviet Union) and South Korea (with support from the United Nations and primarily the United States). -
Vietnam War
The struggle between communist North Vietnam and non-communist South Vietnam, with the United States heavily involved in support of the South. -
Berlin Wall
The construction of the Berlin Wall separates East and West Berlin. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The United States and the Soviet Union come close to nuclear war over Soviet missiles in Cuba. -
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
The 35th President of the United States is assassinated in Dallas, Texas. -
Moon Landing
Apollo 11 successfully lands astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon. -
Iranian Revolution
The Islamic Revolution in Iran leads to the establishment of an Islamic Republic. -
Iran-Iraq War
A prolonged conflict between Iran and Iraq. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall is opened, symbolizing the end of the Cold War. -
German Reunification
East and West Germany are reunified.