Mikhail Gorbachev Resigns
On December 25, 1991, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as the 11th and final leader of communist Russia. A news report summarizes the milestones of the leader who began his career as a little-known Communist and ended it a Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Related Speeches & Audio (10)
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Mikhail Gorbachev Resigns
Mikhail Gorbachev ResignsAudio Clip (1:09)
Audio Clip (1:09)
On December 25, 1991, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as the 11th and final leader of communist Russia. A news report summarizes the milestones of the leader who began his career as a little-known Communist and ended it a Nobel Peace Prize winner.
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Mikhail Gorbachev Arrives in U.S.
Mikhail Gorbachev Arrives in U.S.Audio Clip (3:57)
Audio Clip (3:57)
In December 1988, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev traveled to New York City to deliver his now-famous United Nations speech announcing unilateral arms cuts. Upon his arrival, Gorbachev speaks to the press about his upcoming plans to address the U.N. and to meet with outgoing President Ronald Reagan and President-elect George Bush.
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The Kitchen Debate
The Kitchen DebateAudio Clip (7:24)
Audio Clip (7:24)
In July 1959, Vice President Richard Nixon traveled to Moscow to open the U.S. Trade and Cultural Fair in Sokolniki Park. In the kitchen of the exhibit's model house built by General Electric, Nixon and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev began an impromptu series of debates on the merits of capitalism and communism. An audio segment of one of the exchanges, which was filmed by the American company Ampex on the first videotape recorder, illustrates the Cold War tensions simmering beneath the surface.
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Baruch Calls for Control of Nukes
Baruch Calls for Control of NukesAudio Clip (1:37)
Audio Clip (1:37)
Bernard Baruch, an American statesman spoke about the continuing struggle of unity in the west. He was an important advisor on many international issues including being the U.S. Representative to the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission. He proposed a plan that would give the United Nations strict control over atomic weapons, but the Soviet Union was opposed to the Baruch Plan.
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Chris Patten on the Transfer of Hong Kong to China
Chris Patten on the Transfer of Hong Kong to ChinaAudio Clip (0:49)
Audio Clip (0:49)
The last British governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, gives a speech to its people while handing back Hong Kong to Chinese authorities on July 1, 1997.
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Prince Charles at Hong Kong Turnover Ceremony
Prince Charles at Hong Kong Turnover CeremonyAudio Clip (5:06)
Audio Clip (5:06)
On July 1, 1997, Prince Charles delivers a speech marking the end of 156 years of British rule as Hong Kong is returned to China.
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Hong Kong Turnover Ceremony
Hong Kong Turnover CeremonyAudio Clip (2:48)
Audio Clip (2:48)
Live coverage of the ceremony proceedings on July, 1, 1997, captures the moment when British soldiers lower the Union Jack and the Hong Kong flag to the strains of "God Save the Queen," followed by the raising of China's red banner with five gold stars as the national anthem plays.
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U.S. Boycotts 1980 Moscow Olympics
U.S. Boycotts 1980 Moscow OlympicsAudio Clip (1:46)
Audio Clip (1:46)
In protest against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, President Jimmy Carter decided that the United States would not participate in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. In a news report, the would-be U.S. athletes voice their opinions on the boycott.
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Britain Recognizes People's Republic of China
Britain Recognizes People's Republic of ChinaAudio Clip (0:22)
Audio Clip (0:22)
On January 6, 1950, the British government under Prime Minister Clement Attlee followed the USSR and several other nations in recognizing the new communist government of China. A news report provides details.
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Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto on Afghanistan
Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto on AfghanistanAudio Clip (0:45)
Audio Clip (0:45)
A news report highlights Pakistan's Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's speech delivered to the U.S. House of Representatives on June 7, 1989, in which she calls for America's continued support for the rebels in Afghanistan.
Related Videos (10)
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The Fall of the Soviet Union
The Fall of the Soviet UnionVideo Clip (3:22)
Video Clip (3:22)
Trace the steps that led to the collapse of America's Cold War foe as told by musician and artist Jeffrey Lewis.
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Gerald Ford: Mayaguez Incident
Gerald Ford: Mayaguez IncidentVideo Clip (2:54)
Video Clip (2:54)
Watch this historical clip of President Ford as he announces that the crew men of the SS Maya Guez have been rescued from Cambodian forces. This was a very exciting and popular move for President Ford.
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On Patrol
On PatrolVideo Clip (4:14)
Video Clip (4:14)
In the field, many soldiers spent their time on patrol, seeking out communist forces, and avoiding lethal booby traps.
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Charles Brown
Charles BrownVideo Clip (3:07)
Video Clip (3:07)
Raised in the segregated South, Charles Brown thought his best shot at a better life was to join the Army. He was stationed with the 101st Airborne Division and quickly appointed platoon sergeant, leading search and destroy missions through the jungles of Vietnam.
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Anne Purcell
Anne PurcellVideo Clip (3:57)
Video Clip (3:57)
As a military wife, Anne Purcell had already sent her husband off to war once before, in Korea. But less than six months after her husband Ben volunteered for Vietnam, he was reported "missing in action."
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Remembering Vietnam: A Premonition
Remembering Vietnam: A PremonitionVideo Clip (1:31)
Video Clip (1:31)
Air Force Pilot Keith Connolly recalls a story about a fellow pilot and friend who had a premonition that he would not return from the war.
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Barry Romo
Barry RomoVideo Clip (3:24)
Video Clip (3:24)
Fresh out of high school, Barry Romo enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve in Vietnam. Romo was awarded a bronze star for his efforts but grew disillusioned with the war and later joined a controversial group called Vietnam Veterans Against the War.
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Arthur Wiknik
Arthur WiknikVideo Clip (3:42)
Video Clip (3:42)
As an 18-year-old draftee, Arthur Wiknik was rushed through officer candidate's school. After one month in Vietnam he found himself in the middle of the battle of "Hamburger Hill"--one of the most notorious battles of the war.
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Bob Clewell
Bob ClewellVideo Clip (3:35)
Video Clip (3:35)
Bob Clewell dropped out of college to join the Army, and arrive in Vietnam just weeks after the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964. During his third tour, he was trained as a helicopter pilot, providing air support for ground troops during the Lam Son 719 offensive.
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Raymond Torres
Raymond TorresVideo Clip (2:52)
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Navy medic Raymond Torres joined the Navy to attend medical school and was assigned to a Marine Corps company. While tending to wounded Marines during the Khe Sanh battle, Torres was critically injured when a grenade exploded near him.
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