We Didn't Start the Fire

By 16rf

  • Red China

    The Communist Party of China wins the Chinese Civil War, establishing the People's Republic of China.
  • Period: to

    We Didn't Start the Fire

  • North Korea, South Korea

    North Korea and South Korea declare war after Northern forces stream south on June 25

  • Englands got a new Queen

    Queen Elizabeth II succeeds to the throne upon the death of her father, George VI, and is crowned the next year.

  • Joseph Stalin

    Joseph Stalin dies on March 5, yielding his position as leader of the Soviet Union.

  • Einstein Dies

    Albert Einstein dies on April 18 at the age of 76.

  • Ben-Hur

    Ben-Hur, a film based around the New Testament starring Charlton Heston, wins eleven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

  • Malcolm X

    Malcolm X makes his infamous statement "The chickens have come home to roost" about the Kennedy assassination, thus causing the Nation of Islam to censor him.

  • Ho Chi Minh

    A Vietnamese communist, who served as President of Vietnam from 1954–1969. March 2 Operation Rolling Thunder begins bombing of the Ho Chi Minh Trail supply line from North Vietnam to the Vietcong rebels in the south. On March 8, the first U.S. combat troops, 3,500 marines, land in South Vietnam.

  • Punk Rock

    Punk rock: The Ramones form, with the Sex Pistols following in 1975, ushering in the punk era.

  • Russians in Afghanistan

    Russians in Afghanistan: Following their move into Afghanistan, Soviet forces fight a ten-year war, from 1979 to 1989.

  • Death Metal Suicide

    Heavy metal suicide: In the 1980s Ozzy Osbourne and the bands Judas Priest and Metallica were brought to court by parents who accused the musicians of hiding subliminal pro-suicide messages in their music.

  • China's Under Martial Law

    China's under martial law: On May 20, China declares martial law, resulting in the use of military forces against protesting students to end the Tiananmen Square protests.