1945-1989

Historian Melvyn P. Leffler discusses the rapid demise of communism in the Soviet Union in 1990, and investigates the reasons why previous attempts by U.S. and Soviet leaders to end the cold war failed.

Describes some of the major events of the 1980s that helped to change the world including the fall of communism and the Berlin Wall, the disaster at Chernobyl, massacre in Tiananmen Square in China, Space Shuttle Challenger explodes, and more.

Describes some of the major events of the 1970s that helped to change the world including President Nixon's visit to China, Viking I landing on Mars, the fall of Saigon and the end to the Vietnam War, and more.

Describes some of the major events of the 1960s that helped to change the world including the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Cold War, Civil Rights, Vietnam War, the Beatles, lunar landing, and Woodstock.

Describes some of the major events of the 1950s that helped to change the world including the McCarthy senate hearings, the rise of Fidel Castro, the first organ transplant, the launching of Sputnik, and the first appearance of Elvis Presley.

Discusses cultural trends and societal issues that shaped the world, and technological and political developments that changed it, between the mid-1940s and early 1960s, covering such topics as the creation of Israel, the Cold War, the civil rights movement, television, commercial jets, and rock and roll.

Discusses cultural trends and societal issues that shaped the world, and technological and political developments that changed it, between the early 1960s and the mid-1970s, covering such topics as the Vietnam war, hippie culture and the "Summer of Love," the "troubles" in Northern Ireland, conflict in the Middle East, and the Watergate scandal.

Examines the history of the Cold War, including political, economic, military, and athletic battles, from the Berlin Airlift of 1948 to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Includes Internet links to Web sites, source documents, and photographs related to the war.