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...
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1960s Timeline
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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...
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
South Vietnamese Troops Disrupt "Ho Chi Minh Trail" in Laos
Aug. 12, 1961 - South Vietnamese troop units are reported to be operating in southern Laos to cut the flow of Communist supplies and...
Aug 9, 2021
Gen. Walter Bedell Smith, Ike's Chief of Staff during WWII, Dead at 65
Aug. 9, 1961 - Gen. Walter Bedell Smith, Dwight D. Eisenhower's chief of staff in Europe during World War II, died of a heart attack...
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 6, 2021
Atom Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima 16 Years Ago Today
Aug. 6, 1961 - Just before dawn today, the priests and the people of Hiroshima (pictured in August, 1945) gathered to pray before the...
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 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....
Aug 1, 2021
Holland Chooses Israeli Uzi Machine Gun as Standard Weapon for Land Forces
Aug. 1, 1961 - The Netherlands has chosen an Israeli sub-machine gun, the Uzi, as a standard weapon for her land forces. A large order...
Aug 1, 2021
McNamara Says Bomb Shelters Could Save 15 Million American Lives
Aug. 1, 1961 - Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara said today that 50 million usable shelter spaces could provide a "Spartan" minimum...
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
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 27, 2021
Communist Viet Cong Terrorize South Vietnam
July 27, 1961 - Communist guerrillas have increased their activity in South Vietnam. Numerous acts of terrorism have occurred throughout...
Jul 25, 2021
Castro Appears with Soviet Astronaut Gagarin at Revolutionary Rally
July 25, 1961 - Six Soviet-built MIG's flew over Havana today in the first public display of Cuba's new jet strength. The six jets...
Jul 20, 2021
President Kennedy Emphasizes Civil Defense, Will Address Nation Tuesday
July 20, 1961 - President Kennedy today put the Pentagon in charge of a greatly increased program to protect American civilians against...
Jul 16, 2021
South Vietnamese Troops Kill Over 185 Viet Cong in Bloody Fighting
July 16, 1961 - South Vietnamese Government troops crushed a Communist guerrilla force today in the bloodiest battle since South Vietnam...
Jul 12, 2021
Hingle joins Brando in Cast of "The Ugly American"
July 12, 1961 - Pat Hingle will portray one of the leading characters in the forthcoming Marlon Brando vehicle, "The Ugly American,"...
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