1960s Timeline

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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 9, 2021

Herbert Hoover 87 Today, Confident in America's Future

Aug. 9, 1961 - Herbert Hoover (center), 31st President of the United States, turned 87 today, and he faces the coming years unafraid,...

Aug 9, 2021

Khrushchev Warns of "Mega-Bomb"

Aug. 9, 1961 - Premier Khrushchev warned today that the Soviet Union was capable of constructing a rocket with an explosive warhead...

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

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 28, 2021

Senate Approves Kennedy's Request for More Weapons and Troops for Berlin

July 28, 1961 - The Senate approved overwhelmingly today President Kennedy's request for more weapons and troops to cope with Soviet...