1960s Timeline

July 25, 1961 - Six Soviet-built MIG's flew over Havana today in the first public display of Cuba's new jet strength. The six jets streaked low over the Plaza de la Revolución at the start of a seven-hour exhibition of mass gymnastics, held as part of the celebrations in honor of the 26th of July, the day in 1953 when Fidel Castro launched his revolutionary movement. Maj. Yuri A. Gagarin (left), the Soviet space flier and guest of honor at the celebrations, watched from the r

July 16, 1961 - South Vietnamese Government troops crushed a Communist guerrilla force today in the bloodiest battle since South Vietnam gained independence from France in 1954. More than 185 guerrillas were killed and many wounded in fierce fighting that followed the surrounding of a 500-man Communist force in marshlands 80 miles west of Saigon. The Government's losses were 12 dead and 64 wounded in a battalion of 700 men. The battalion had lain in ambush for two days. When

July 12, 1961 - Pat Hingle will portray one of the leading characters in the forthcoming Marlon Brando vehicle, "The Ugly American," based on the novel of the same name by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer. The novel depicts the failures of the U.S. diplomatic corps in Southeast Asia. It is believed that the Peace Corps was established partly as a result of the novel. George Englund will direct the Universal release. #movienight #movietime #movie #movies #film #films #classi

July 12, 1961 - The regime of Premier Fidel Castro in Cuba has acquired at least 26 MIG jets, officials sources said today. The MIG's are the first Soviet aircraft based in this hemisphere. The build-up of air power follows many months of heavy purchases by the Havana Government of guns, tanks and other war gear, chiefly from Iron Curtain countries. #communism #communist #coldwar #war #warfare #guerrillawar #cuba #soviet #sovietunion

July 10, 1961 - Here is video of Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara's press conference from earlier today. #communism #communist #coldwar #vietnam #vietnamwar #war #warfare #guerrillawar #sovietunion