1960s Timeline

Latest Podcasts

Aug 15, 2021

Western Allies Send Formal Protest of Berlin Border Closure to Soviets

Aug. 15, 1961 - The United States, Britain and France formally protested to the Soviet Union today against Communist East Germany's...

Aug 14, 2021

In Berlin, U.S. Troops Stage Simulated Battle 200 Yards from Soviet Zone

Aug. 14, 1961 - A company of American troops staged a simulated city battle in Berlin today. The training maneuver was held in a mock...

Aug 14, 2021

🚨Two Soviet Divisions Ring Berlin in Support of Border Closure as Tensions Rise

Aug. 14, 1961 - Two battle-ready Soviet Army divisions were reported to have ringed Berlin this morning in support of East Germany's...

Aug 12, 2021

U.S Commander in Berlin not Worried about Defending Allied Sector

Aug. 12, 1961 - Premier Khrushchev said today that it was "a fairy tale" that the West would fight for West Berlin. But the 5,000-man...

Aug 10, 2021

Soviets Tap Marshal Ivan S. Konev as Commander of Soviet Troops in East Germany

Aug. 10, 1961 - Marshal Ivan S. Konev, former supreme commander of East European forces and one of the leading longtime Communists in the...

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

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...

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 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 28, 2021

Over 1,000 Refugees Pour into West Berlin

July 28, 1961 - One thousand thirty refugees made their way to West Berlin in the 24 hours ending at 4 p.m. today, indicating that East...

Jul 25, 2021

President Kennedy's Televised Speech on Berlin Crisis (Video)

July 25, 1961 - Watch President Kennedy's televised speech on the Berlin crisis: #JFK #americanhistory #politics #communism #communist...

Jul 23, 2021

Asks Khrushchev to Release WWII POW's

July 23, 1961 - West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer (pictured) appealed to Premier Khrushchev today to release Germans still held by...

Jul 16, 2021

Special Program on Berlin Crisis on CBS-TV to Air Aug. 11

July 16, 1961 - A special 60-minute news program on the Berlin situation will be televised Aug. 11 at 8:30 p.m. on CBS. A major part of...

Jul 15, 2021

East German Wins Miss Universe Contest

July 15, 1961 - A blonde 24-year-old German woman won the title of Miss Universe today. She is Marlene Schmidt, who reached Stuttgart,...

Jul 11, 2021

East German Refugees Flood West Berlin

July 11, 1961 - The flight of East Germans to West Berlin has increased substantially in the last few days, refugee officials said today....