U2 spy plane like the one Francis Powers was piloting when shot down over Russia; at Edwards Air Force Base.

The final British Airways Concorde flight lifts off from John F. Kennedy Airport. (Credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

(GERMANY OUT) Germany Berlin (West) Kreuzberg - Berlin crisis - The construction of the wall. US tanks at the Allied border crossing point Checkpoint Charlie. - October 1961 (Photo by Herbert Maschke/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

The Berlin Wall in Berlin, Germany, circa 1965.

(Original Caption) This photo, officially released in Moscow, shows the Russian people viewing the wreckage of Turkey-based US U-2 reconnaissance plane shot down over soviet territory May 1st. The pilot was identified as Francis Gary Powers, 30, of Albany, Georgia.

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.

Cold War

The Cold War between Communist-bloc nations and Western allies defined postwar politics. Learn about the Berlin Wall, the Cuban Missile Crisis, NATO, the Space Race and more.

Cold War: Definition and Timeline | HISTORY

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HISTORY

<a href="http://www.christopherklein.com/">Christopher Klein</a> is the author of four books, including When the Irish Invaded Canada: The Incredible True Story of the Civil War Veterans Who Fought for Ireland’s Freedom and Strong Boy: The Life and Times of John L. Sullivan. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including The Boston Globe, The New York Times, and National Geographic Traveler. Follow Chris at <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.twitter.com_historyauthor&amp;d=DwMFaQ&amp;c=bHpC9irXhivtSwyVyKc43lLt4-cAwmmH7TeQLPqTb5E&amp;r=0ZpTu-He2V3GUI-VETMmkwm8-GyOWSyeMJXqt7G42KA&amp;m=K4QAG6bPcooItZtsSRYJId99sCdkkYnSQnbG55Y82ZU&amp;s=reHlmdZq8nMnpunXM6VDAaQCLeVwu9L3gbscryyWKD8&amp;e=">@historyauthor</a>.

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Latin America encompasses Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries, including all of South America as well as Mexico, Central America, and islands of the Caribbean. Latin American history saw colonization by the Spaniards and Portuguese, from the 15th through the 18th century, as well as independence movements in the early 19th century.

Latin American & Caribbean History

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Legacy Unpublished

The U.S. government, with its three branches of government and a system of checks and balances, is responsible for governing the 50 states and all districts and territories of the United States.

U.S. Government and Politics

World War II was the biggest and deadliest war in history, involving more than 30 countries. Sparked by the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland, the war dragged on for six bloody years until the Allies defeated the Axis powers of Nazi Germany, Japan and Italy in 1945. Explore the battles, leaders and atrocities from the war and its impact on geopolitics and humankind.

Cold War ‑ Stories

The Cold War Race to Build the Concorde

Fidel Castro’s Wild New York Visit

7 Things You Should Know About Checkpoint Charlie

7 Unusual Experiments by the U.S. Military

When a US Spy Plane Was Shot Down Over the USSR

9 Fascinating Facts About the Suez Canal

10 Things You May Not Know About the Berlin Wall

How Long Was the Berlin Wall?

What Was Operation Paperclip?

5 Cold War Close Calls

Scott Carpenter, Second American to Orbit the Earth, Dies at 88

In Case of Emergency: The Washington‑Moscow Hotline