Contemporary
Sino-Soviet Split: How China and the USSR Became Rivals
The alliance between the two largest communist states collapsed into rivalry, splitting the communist world and later opening the way to US-China rapprochement.
Region
Asia
Contemporary
Secret War in Laos (1961-1975): The CIA and the Hmong
The communist Pathet Lao took power in 1975; tens of thousands of Hmong fled abroad, and millions of unexploded bombs remained in the Laotian countryside.
Contemporary
Annexation of Goa 1961: India Ends Portuguese Rule in Goa
Portuguese forces surrendered on 19 December 1961 and Goa, Daman and Diu became part of India; Portugal recognised Indian sovereignty in 1974.
Contemporary
Yuri Gagarin and Vostok 1 (1961): First Human in Space
Gagarin completed one orbit of the Earth in 108 minutes and returned safely, giving the Soviet Union the first human spaceflight.
Contemporary
Agent Orange and Operation Ranch Hand: Defoliation in Vietnam
About 75 to 77 million litres of herbicides were sprayed, leaving lasting dioxin contamination and long-running health and compensation disputes.
Contemporary
Sino-Indian War 1962: China and India Clash in the Himalayas
Chinese victory; China declared a unilateral ceasefire on 21 November 1962, kept control of Aksai Chin and withdrew from most of the eastern sector.
Contemporary
Thich Quang Duc (1963): The Burning Monk Protest in Saigon
The self-immolation drew worldwide attention to the Buddhist crisis, weakened US support for President Diem and contributed to the coup that overthrew him in November 1963.
Contemporary
Valentina Tereshkova (1963): The First Woman in Space
Tereshkova completed 48 orbits of the Earth in almost three days aboard Vostok 6, becoming the first woman to fly in space.
Contemporary
Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964): The Clash That Escalated Vietnam
A real clash on 2 August and a probably non-existent attack on 4 August led to US air strikes and the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which gave Johnson broad authority to wage war in Vietnam.
Contemporary
1964 Tokyo Olympics: Japan's Post-War Return to the World
Japan staged the first Olympic Games in Asia and used them to showcase its post-war recovery and new infrastructure.
Contemporary
Operation Rolling Thunder (1965-1968): Bombing North Vietnam
More than three and a half years of bombing damaged North Vietnam heavily but failed to break its will or stop the flow of men and supplies to the South.
Contemporary
Battle of Ia Drang (1965): First Major US Battle in Vietnam
US forces held LZ X-Ray but a battalion was ambushed at LZ Albany; both sides claimed success and drew lessons that shaped the war of attrition.