Cold War Timeline

Berlin Blockade and Airlift

Jun 26, 1948

This was a turning point in post World War 2 Europe.

Korean War

Jun 12, 1950

This is where things really got heated between the Soviets and the US.

Space Race

Oct 4, 1957

This is where the US and Soviets had an intense rivalry about space and who can get the farthest first.

U-2 Reconnaissance Plane

May 1, 1960

This is where the US’s CIA had a plane trying to spy on the Soviets and the Soviets shot it down and this lead to an embarrassing conference between US and Soviets. (Embarrassing for the US)

Bay of Pigs

Apr 17, 1961

This where the US tried to invade Cuba but failed miserably, this embarrassed the US.

Reagan visits the Wall

Aug 12, 1961

This when Reagan visited the Berlin Wall, this showed continued commitment to the people of West Berlin.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Oct 14, 1962

This was the the closest to the US and the Soviets actually fighting. This includes nuclear warfare also.

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks

Nov 23, 1969

This was one of the first steps to slow the arms race

Soviets invade Afghanistan

Dec 9, 1979

The US and the Soviets each back a different side and this led to the US boycotting the 1980 Olympics.

Reunited Germany

Nov 9, 1989

This where East and west Germany reunited, East Germany was no longer Communist, and this was evidence that the War Saw Pact’s days were numbered.