1960s Timeline

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Aug 8, 2021

Sharp Increase in Refugees from East Germany into West Berlin

Aug. 8, 1961 - The influx of refugees to West Berlin from East Germany increased sharply today, a rise attributed to reaction to Premier...

Aug 7, 2021

Dying of Leukemia, Robert Soblen, Gets Life for Wartime Espionage

Aug. 7, 1961 - Dr. Robert A. Soblen was sentenced today to life in prison for wartime espionage for the Soviet Union. The 61-year-old...

Aug 7, 2021

Khrushchev Reaffirms Intention to End Allied Occupation Rights in West Berlin

Aug. 7, 1961 - Premier Khrushchev combined today a proposal for a conference on Berlin with a warning that Soviet divisions might mass on...

Aug 6, 2021

Tulsa Evangelist's Anti-Communist Radio Show to Air on Mutual Broadcasting System

Aug. 6, 1961 - The Rev. Billy James Hargis (pictured) announced today that his anti-Communist radio program would go on the Mutual...

Aug 6, 2021

NASA hopes to Put American Spaceman in Orbit by End of Year

Aug. 6, 1961 - The earliest the U.S. can now figure on putting a man in orbit is toward the end of the year, according to Project Mercury...

Aug 6, 2021

Second Russian Astronaut Returns Safely to Earth

Aug. 6, 1961 - A Soviet spaceship that carried the second Russian astronaut landed safely today after orbiting the earth more than 17...

Aug 5, 2021

Soviets Put Second Man Into Space

Aug. 5, 1961 - The Soviet Union put its second manned spaceship into round-the-earth orbit today, Tass press agency said. Tass said the...

Aug 5, 2021

Communist Bloc Says It Will Sign German Peace Treaty before New Year

Aug. 5, 1961 - The Communist bloc declared today that it would sign a German peace treaty before the end of 1961 that would turn over to...

Aug 4, 2021

Cuban Communist Regime Forms "Vigilance Committees"

Aug. 4, 1961 - Five hundred thousand people - about one-twelfth of Cuba's population - are now enrolled in neighborhood, factory and farm...

Aug 4, 2021

President Kennedy Gets 20,000 Letters Offering Advice on Berlin and Communists

Aug. 4, 1961 - In his recent speech to the nation on Berlin and the Communist challenge, President Kennedy said he would be glad to have...

Aug 3, 2021

Movies: "Marines, Let's Go" with Tom Tryon

Aug. 3, 1961 - "Marines, Let's Go," a drama about the Korean War directed by Raoul Walsh, will open at New York's Paramount Theatre Aug....

Jul 31, 2021

Viet Cong Launch Grenade Attack in Saigon

July 31, 1961 - Communist guerrillas staged a pre-announced hand-grenade incident in Saigon last night to demonstrate their ability to...

Jul 31, 2021

Communist East Germany Restricts Travel, Claims West Germany Spreading Polio

July 31, 1961 - Communist East Germany moved today to restrict travel between its territory and West Germany with a contention that West...

Jul 31, 2021

President Kennedy Empowered by Congress to Call 250,000 Reservists

July 31, 1961 - A resounding 403-to-2 vote of approval in the House completed today Congressional action to empower President Kennedy to...

Jul 30, 2021

Communist Viet Cong Conduct Campaign of Assassination in South Vietnam

July 30, 1961 - In South Vietnam, Communist Viet Cong guerrillas (pictured) are now estimated to number 12,000. They are taking 500-700...

Jul 30, 2021

East Germany Hints at New Measures Against "Border Jumpers"

July 30, 1961 - Many East Germans took refuge in West Berlin over the weekend. Refugee officials said more than 1,900 had registered at...

Jul 30, 2021

Soviets: By 1980, Everything Will Be Free

July 30, 1961 - Here is what the Soviet people are promised by 1980 in the Communist party's 20-year program announced today: 1. Free...

Jul 29, 2021

Soviet Communists Seek "Peaceful Coexistence," But Say Capitalism Doomed

July 29, 1961 - The Communist party of the Soviet Union reaffirmed today its ideological thesis that this generation can avert...

Jul 29, 2021

Truman: Soviets Are Bluffing, "Scared to Death of Red China"

July 29, 1961 - Former President Harry S. Truman, who won his own Berlin showdown in 1948-9, said today the Soviet Union was bluffing in...

Jul 28, 2021

Senator Goldwater Attacks "Censorship" of Military Leaders

July 28, 1961 - Senator Barry Goldwater, a spokesman for Republican conservatives, attacked the "censorship" he said the Kennedy...