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June 24 : Berlin Blockade begins
This event marked the first major non-violent clash between the Soviet Union and the USA,UK and other Western European nations. -
Formation of NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization or (NATO) was created to provide a strong,collective military defense between North American and Western European nations, primarily against the Soviet Union. This was the first step towards the division of the world into two military blocks. -
Warsaw Pact Formed
The formation of the Warsaw Pact was the Soviet equivalent to NATO and it's formation signified the division of the world into two military blocks. -
Sputnik launched into orbit ('Space Race' begins)
Sputnik 1 was the first man-made satellite launched into orbit and is considered to be the catalyst of the 'Space Race' that existed between the Soviet Union and the United States -
The Beginning of the Cuban Missile Crisis
Lasting for a number of weeks, the Cuban missle Crisis was a period of heightened tensions in the Cold war. It concerned the placement of Soviet missiles in Cuba what were well within striking distance of the USA. This period is believed by many to be the closest that the USA and USSR came to open conflict during the war. -
Gulf of Tonkin incident (Prelude to direct US involvment in Vietnam)
The Gulf of Tonkin incident, occured when the US destroyer the USS Maddox was reportedly attacked by North Vietnamese torpedo boats, Although minor, the inccident was an important propaganda tool for the US and served as prelude to direct US involvement in vietnam -
Dissolution of the Soviet Union
Although, tensions had decreased significantly by the 1990s, the fall of the Soviet Union was still a major event in the Cold War as it marked it's official conclusion.
