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Berlin Airlift
Soviet forces blockaded rail, road, and water access to Allied-controlled areas of Berlin. The United States and United Kingdom responded by airlifting food and fuel to Berlin from Allied air bases in western Germany. The crisis ended on May 12, 1949, when Soviet forces lifted the blockade on land access to western Berlin. -
Creation of NATO
Created to secure peace in Europe, to promote cooperation among its members and to guard their freedom -
Korean War
North Korea invaded South Korea following clashes along the border and rebellions in South Korea -
Creation of Warsaw Pact
A political and military alliance established between the Soviet Union and several Eastern European countries. The Soviet Union formed this alliance as a counterbalance to NATO -
Vietnam War
The United States and other members of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization joined the forces with the Republic of South Vietnam to contest communist forces, composed of South Vietnamese guerrillas and regular-force units, and the North Vietnamese Army. -
Sputnik
The Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I, the world's first artificial satellite. That launch ushered in new political, military, technological, and scientific developments. This marked the start of the space age and the U.S.-U.S.S.R space race. -
Construction of Berlin Wall
The wall that was once made with coils of barbed wire strung along the border to West Berlin were replaced by a wall of concrete slabs and hollow blocks. -
Cuban missile crisis
A dangerous confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War and when the two countries came closest to nuclear conflict. -
Moon landing
American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin became the first humans ever to land on the moon -
Destruction of Berlin Wall
Crowds of Germans began tearing down the Berlin wall and almost a year later Germany was reunified