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Yalta Conference
U.S President D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Prime Minister Joseph Stalin made important decisions regarding the future progress of the war and the postwar. -
First East European Communist government set up in Albania
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Truman Doctrine announced
President Harry S. Truman established that the United States would provide political, military and economic assistance to all democratic nations under threat from external or internal authoritarian forces. -
Berlin Airlift begins
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North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) established
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The Korean War begins
U.S members and other U.N members fight North Korean forces. -
Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) formed
The purpose of the organization was to prevent communism from gaining ground in the region. -
The Warsaw Pact is formed
The Soviet Union and seven of its European satellites sign the treaty as a mutual defense organization that put the Soviets in command of the armed forces of the member states. -
Soviets launch first man-made satellite
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East Germany begins construction of the Berlin Wall
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China joins A-bomb club
The People's Republic of China joins the rank of nations with atomic bomb capability, after a successful nuclear test on this day. -
South Vietnam falls to communist forces
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George Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev agree to the reunification of Germany