1960s Timeline

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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

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

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...

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 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...

Jul 28, 2021

Khrushchev's Communist Party Program to be Published Sunday

July 28, 1961 - Premier Khrushchev's ambitious new Communist party program will be published Sunday. It will be the first document of its...

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 27, 2021

Nixon Urges Americans to Support President Kennedy on Berlin Crisis

July 27, 1961 - Former Vice President Richard M. Nixon asked all Americans today to support President Kennedy's program for dealing with...

Jul 27, 2021

President Kennedy's Civil Defense Goals Announced

July 27, 1961 - President Kennedy's immediate Civil Defense goal is to provide fallout shelters in existing buildings for 25 percent of...

Jul 26, 2021

After Kennedy Speech, Draft-Age Americans Make Inquiries

July 26, 1961 - President Kennedy's call for an increase in military manpower touched off a sharp increase in inquiries from the nation's...

Jul 26, 2021

Financier Bernard Baruch Says U.S. Will Manage Berlin Crisis, Praises Kennedy

July 26, 1961 - Bernard M. Baruch, financier and friend of Presidents, said today that the U.S. had "all the resources to do all the...

Jul 26, 2021

Kennedy Administration Wants Home Alarms for National Emergencies

July 26, 1961 - The Kennedy Administration asked Congress today for $10 million to put into operation a home buzzer system that would...

Jul 26, 2021

President Kennedy Asks for Nation's Prayers in Meeting Soviet "World-Wide Threat"

July 26, 1961 - President Kennedy asked last night for an overall increase in the nation's military preparedness to meet a Soviet threat...