1960s Timeline

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Aug 17, 2021

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...

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,"...