HomeShowsThis Day In History
Stream HISTORY
HomeShowsThis Day In HistoryStream HISTORY
  1. Home
  2. Topics
  3. Cold War
  4. Stories

Cold War ‑ Stories

The Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union lasted for decades and resulted in anti-communist suspicions and international incidents that led two superpowers to the brink of nuclear disaster.

A screenshot from the 'Daisy' 1964 campaign ad by Lyndon B. Johnson's campaign team.

The 1964 Campaign Ad That Leveraged Cold War Fears

The so‑called “Daisy” ad played on fears of nuclear war in the race between Lyndon B. Johnson and Barry Goldwater.

Read more
Dyatlov Pass incident

The Dyatlov Pass Incident: Why the Hiker Deaths Remain a Mystery

In February 1959, nine hikers were killed while trekking in the Ural Mountains. The Soviet government originally attributed a “compelling natural force” as the cause.

Read more
Glowing bright yellow dome-shaped cloud in a dark sky

The Atomic Bomb’s First Victims Were in New Mexico

The Manhattan Project’s Trinity test—the first atomic bomb detonation—led to infant deaths, cancer and decades of health problems.

Read more
Lewis Strauss

How Lewis Strauss Shaped the Atomic Age—and Orchestrated Robert Oppenheimer’s Downfall

Amateur physicist Lewis Strauss spurred the hydrogen bomb’s development—and became Robert Oppenheimer’s nemesis.

Read more
Julius Robert Oppenheimer

J. Robert Oppenheimer: 5 Facts About the ‘Father of the Atomic Bomb’

The theoretical physicist read Sanskrit, loved horseback riding in New Mexico and was targeted during the Red Scare.

Read more
Men in suits sitting around a large round table with the NATO logo in the middle of the table.

5 Things You May Not Know About NATO

NATO invoked its Article 5 military commitment for first time after 9/11.

Read more
Berlin Zoo, June 1955.

The Cold War Rivalry Between Berlin’s Two Zoos

A proxy culture war was fought between East and West Germany in post‑WWII Europe. The unlikely weapon? Animals.

Read more
The Hollywood 10 (and two lawyers).

Who Were the Hollywood 10?

Hollywood blacklisted these screenwriters, producers and directors for refusing to testify before the House Un‑American Activities Committee.

Read more
An image of the Soviet flag.

Photos: 7 Decades of the Soviet Union

The Soviet Union, founded in 1922 on Marxist‑socialist principles, became one of the biggest and most powerful nations in the world—before its fall and dissolution in 1991.

Read more
General Douglas MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito of Japan, dated 1945.

How the US and Japan Went From Enemies to Allies After WWII

General Douglas MacArthur led a seven‑year occupation that demilitarized, democratized and helped rebuild the Pacific nation.

Read more
First-grade students at Public School 60 in Baltimore say the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag in June 1955.

Why Eisenhower Added ‘Under God’ to the Pledge of Allegiance During the Cold War

The pledge, as recited by U.S. schoolchildren, wasn’t standardized until World War II, and didn’t contain “under God” until 1954.

Read more
huge mushroom cloud exploding over a tropical island

7 Surprising Facts about the Nuclear Bomb Tests at Bikini Atoll

Between 1946 and 1958 the United States detonated 23 nuclear weapons on the tiny, remote ring of islands that make up Bikini Atoll.

Read more
A+E Global Media Logo
  • HISTORY Education
  • HISTORY Vault®
  • HISTORY Apps
  • HISTORY2™
  • HISTORY en Español®
  • Military HISTORY®
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Share Your Opinions
  • FAQ / Contact Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Employment Opportunities
  • A+E Factual Studios™
  • Accessibility Support
  • A+E Studios®
  • TV Parental Guidelines
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright Policy
  • Cookie Notice
  • Ad Choices
© 2025, A&E Television Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved.