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The first use of the Atomic Bomb
The US drops Atom Bomb "Little Boy" on Hiroshima killing 80,000. Three days later, they drop "Fat Man" on Nagasaki killing 70,000. -
The Gouzenko Affair
Russian cipher clerk Igor Gouzenko flees the Soviet Union in Ottawa with documents proving the existence of a spy ring in Canada. This action helps ignite the Cold War. -
Formation of the United Nations
Born out of necessity, the UN is created as a better peace-oriented organization than the League of Nations. Still used to this day, the UN is used as a negotiation table between countries. -
Formation of NATO
The National Alliance Treaty Organization was formed in 1949 and is a formal alliance between territories in North America and Europe. Main purpose to defend each other from communist Soviet Union taking control of any of the countries. -
Korean War
North and South Korea enter a civil war that lasts until 27th of July. North Korean Armed forces invade the South and as part of the UN, American and Canadian forces intervene. -
Formation of the Warsaw Pact
The Soviet Union and it's European satellites sign the Warsaw Pact, a mutual defense organization between Russia and it's member states. The Russians saw NATO formed and said "oh no" which in turn created the Warsaw Pact. -
Vietnam War
A very long conflict between the communist North aka the Viet Cong, against South Korea and it's main ally, the US. More than 3 million people were killed. -
Suez Crisis
A military and confrontation based in Egypt that threatened to divide America and Great Britain. On the 31st, France and Britain began bombing the canal without the other NATO allies knowing. Canada then took up the role of "peacekeeper" in the UN. -
Formation of NORAD
The Canadian and American governments announce that the two countries would integrate their air defense forces fearing a long-range Soviet attack. The two countries' air forces would have joint-command to ensure protection. -
The Cancellation of the Avro Arrow
Canada builds advanced, supersonic aircraft only to cancel missile development due to budget cuts, just as the US unveils the Bomarc missiles. Devastating to Canada’s aircraft industry, resulting in Canadian engineers and scientists being picked up by the US. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The US and Soviet Union are in a standoff over Soviet nuclear-armed missiles in Cuba. With fears of nuclear war mounting, disaster is averted when the Soviets offer to remove missiles in Cuba as long as the US doesn't invade the country. The US also agrees in secret to remove missiles in Turkey. -
SALT Treaty
Two superpowers the US and Russia sign a agreement on armament control to ensure neither surpass the other and remain equal. The Treaty made sure nether country tried to “upstage” the other with more armament. -
Strategic Defense Intiative
A program on defending the US against nukes, ultimately due to the SALT treaty signed and budget cuts, the program was scrapped. The program was short-lived, however if it were created it would be revolutionary in country defense. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
Divided democratic East Berlin from Communist West Berlin for 3 decades, they announced the wall would come down and people would be able to walk freely on the stroke of Midnight. The weekend that followed was, supposedly, the "greatest street party in the history of the world." -
Fall Of The Soviet Union
Christmas Day 1991: 11 Soviet Republics (Ukraine, the Russian Federation, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) announce they would no longer be part of the Soviet Union. Marking a happy end to a bloody 45-year war.
