1960s Timeline

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Sep 12, 2021

Soviets Conduct Yet Another Atomic Test

Sept. 12, 1961 - The Soviet Union conducted the seventh atomic test in its current series by detonating a multi-megaton device in the atmosphere early today at its Arctic proving ground. The Atomic Energy Commission said the detonation, presumably of a hydrogen bomb, took place in the vicinity of the island of Novaya Zemlya (pictured). The island, which lies between the Barents and Kara Seas, has been used by the Soviets in recent years to test large thermonuclear weapons. On

Sep 10, 2021

Pope John XXIII Prays for the "Human Family"

Sept. 10, 1961 - Pope John XXIII called on the leaders of the East and West today to negotiate their differences and remove the threat of war that hangs over the world. The Pope urged the leaders to "face squarely the tremendous responsibilities they bear before the tribunal of history and, what is more, before the judgment of God." Pope John ended his appeal by asking all believers to pray for peace, saying, "Let us pray with one another and for one another and for all the s

Sep 9, 2021

Khrushchev Blames West for Soviet Nuclear Tests

Sept. 9, 1961 - Premier Khrushchev declared today that nuclear testing could be ended only by Western acceptance of Soviet proposals for a German peace treaty and complete disarmament. The Soviet rejected President Kennedy's proposal for outlawing nuclear testing in the atmosphere. Premier Khrushchev insisted that the Soviet Union had resumed nuclear testing only because the Western powers were threatening war in response to the Soviet proposal for a German peace treaty. "Wei

Sep 8, 2021

Five More Rebel Prisoners Executed in Cuba

Sept. 8, 1961 - Five rebel prisoners taken after the unsuccessful landings at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba last April were sentenced to death today and executed by firing squad. Nine others were given thirty-year jail terms. The fourteen men, some of whom were formerly members of the Batista police, were charged with crimes committed in Cuba before the invasion attempt, rather than for their participation in the landing. The day's trials still leave in doubt the fate of the other

Sep 7, 2021

Nehru after Khrushchev Meeting: "Foul Winds of War Are Blowing"

Sept. 7, 1961 - Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of India talked for two hours today with Premier Khrushchev at the Kremlin and came out gloomy. "Once again the foul winds of war are blowing," Mr. Nehru said. "There are atomic tests and the world grows fearful. Once the door of war is opened, life on earth will be completely extinguished. It is strange that when man has the power to improve the lot of humanity and to open the doors of progress, the ghost of war should fall on

Sep 6, 2021

Russians Explode Nuclear Device East of Stalingrad

Sept. 6, 1961 - The Atomic Energy Commission announced today that the Soviet Union had detonated a fourth nuclear device in the atmosphere. A brief announcement said the explosion took place this morning east of Stalingrad. Stalingrad, in southeast European Russia, is an industrial and agricultural area, but several hundred miles to the east there are areas of sparsely populated desert. Traces of radioactive fallout from the earlier Asian blasts have been detected in Alaska,

Sep 5, 2021

🚨Kennedy Orders Resumption of Nuclear Weapons Tests

Sept. 5, 1961 - President Kennedy ordered today the resumption of nuclear weapons tests by the United States. He specified that the tests should take place "in the laboratory and underground, with no fallout." The decision was taken after the Atomic Energy Commission announced that the Soviet Union had exploded a third nuclear device in five days. The President said in a statement that the U.S. had "no other choice." The President's statement signaled the end of a voluntary u

Sep 4, 2021

Americans Coast to Coast Fear Nuclear War

Sept. 4, 1961 - From New York to Los Angeles, civil defense authorities report a rise in the American citizen's fear of nuclear war. Thousands of persons within bomb-blast distance of potential nuclear targets are seeking guidance on ways to survive an attack. Spurred by President Kennedy's words and Soviet achievements, they have sought advice from the Government and commercial builders of bomb shelters. Examples of apathy and fatalism were found everywhere. One resident of

Sep 4, 2021

🚨Soviets Explode Second Nuclear Bomb in Three Days

Sept. 4, 1961 - A new Soviet nuclear test took place early today over Central Asia, the Atomic Energy Commission announced. It was the second Soviet nuclear explosion in three days. It appears that the device today was considerably smaller than the one detonated Friday. The estimate of Friday's detonation placed that device in the power range of between 100 and 500 kilotons. Although Premier Khrushchev has said the Soviet Union can develop a bomb in the 100 megaton range - eq

Sep 3, 2021

Japanese General on Pearl Harbor: No Regrets

Sept. 3, 1961 - Gen. Minoru Genda (pictured), chief of staff of Japan's air defense force, said in London today he had no regrets about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor except that "we should not have attacked just once - we should have attacked again and again." The general, who spoke at London Airport on his arrival from Tokyo for a visit, was a staff officer with the Japanese First Air Fleet in 1941. He said he had helped plan the Pearl Harbor attack on the U.S. fleet o

Sep 2, 2021

Most Americans See No Protection Against Nuclear 'Super-Bomb'

Sept. 2, 1961 - If the respondents to a New York Times survey are typical, Americans feel that protection against a Russian super-bomb at this time is virtually hopeless. Some of those interviewed felt that instant death was preferable to survival in a world of horror. Leo Bienvenu, an engineer in Westport, Conn., said: "I think building a bomb shelter is useless. I'd rather see my wife and two children killed outright than starve to death because every living thing would be

Sep 2, 2021

Truman: Soviets "Greatest Bluffers in the World"

Sept. 2, 1961 - Harry S. Truman said today that he did not believe that the Soviet Union's resumption of nuclear weapons tests would lead to war. "The Russians are the greatest bluffers in the world," the 77-year-old former President said. "When you call their bluff, they back down. At least, that's been my experience." On the question of whether the U.S. should also resume testing, he said the decision rested with President Kennedy. #communism #communist #coldwar #soviet #so

Aug 31, 2021

Kennedy Calls Soviet Nuclear Tests "Atomic Blackmail"

Aug. 31, 1961 - The White House declared tonight that the Soviet Union's announcement that it would resume tests of nuclear weapons was "a form of atomic blackmail, designed to substitute terror for reason." A statement by President Kennedy said that he is "entirely confident that the size of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile and the capabilities of the individual weapons and delivery systems are wholly adequate for the defense of the U.S. and the free world." The statement

Aug 31, 2021

Chinese Communists Support Soviet Nuclear Tests

Aug. 31, 1961 - Communist China issued a statement today expressing support for the Soviet Union's decision to resume nuclear tests. The statement said that Communist China regarded the Soviet decision as a "cooling dose for hot-headed war plotters but a powerful inspiration to all peoples striving for world peace." The statement, broadcast by Beijing radio, charged that the Western powers, "especially U.S. imperialism and West German militarism," were "fanning up war hysteri

Aug 31, 2021

U.S. Undecided on Resuming Nuclear Tests

Aug. 31, 1961 - The U.S. declared itself freed today from its promise not to conduct nuclear tests, but it withheld any decision on the resumption of testing. The White House said the Soviet decision to resume testing would cause the "deepest concern and resentment" throughout the world. It accused Moscow of creating a hazard to every human being by increasing the dangers of nuclear fallout, disregarding mankind's desire for a halt in the arms race, and increasing the dangers

Aug 28, 2021

Castro Tells Brazil to Follow Cuba's Example

Aug. 28, 1961 - Cuban Premier Fidel Castro today urged Brazil to set up a guerrilla war against what he termed "reactionary militarists" who forced the resignation of Brazilian President Janio Quadros three days ago. Castro, in a television address, said that "if workers, peasants, students, and progressive people and honest military men take up arms and organize not one front but a thousand fronts, never will the military reactionaries be able to defeat them." Castro said th

Aug 25, 2021

Pentagon Orders 76,500 Reservists to Active Duty

Aug. 25, 1961 - The Pentagon today ordered to active duty 76,500 members of the reserve military forces - 46,500 in the Army, 23,600 in the Air Force, and 6,400 in the Navy. Most of the reservists will be called to report by Oct. 1. No Marine reservists were called because the Marine Corps is meeting its increased manpower goals through voluntary enlistments and service extensions. Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara (second from left) would not say whether any of the res

Aug 20, 2021

With U.S. Aid, South Vietnamese Army Gaining on Communists

Aug. 20, 1961 - The South Vietnamese Army, equipped and trained by the U.S. in new jungle warfare tactics, is reported to have assumed the initiative in the seven-year-old struggle with Communist guerrillas. Kennedy Administration officials said today that since May, when the reorganization of the army began, the pro-Western Vietnamese forces had "started 75 percent of the fights" and had won 4 important victories, including a key engagement this week in the Plaine des Joncs.

Aug 17, 2021

South Vietnamese Army Kills over 100 Viet Cong near Saigon

Aug. 17, 1961 - For the second time in a month, the South Vietnamese army (pictured) registered a victory over the Communist guerrillas known as the Viet Cong. The South Vietnamese leader in each battle was Col. Huynh Van Cao, commander of the Seventh Division. Lieut. Col. Frank Clay, United States military advisor, praised Col. Cao's deployment of his forces for the second victory. "Colonel Cao's plan was like a hammer and anvil," he said, "and the Viet Cong were caught on t

Aug 14, 2021

Big Jump in Military Enlistments and Applications in U.S.

Aug. 14, 1961 - Recruiting offices for the armed services reported today that heavy increases in enlistments and applications had occurred this month as a result of increased activity by draft boards. A spokesman for the recruiting office said an increase in the draft almost always brought an increase in enlistments. A man who enlists, he explained, can choose his branch of service, gain preference for technical schools, and in many cases can choose the area in which he is to