Events with tag - Soviet Union

March 11, 1941

Lend-Lease Act

The Lend-Lease Act, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, authorized the United States to provide military aid and supplies to Allied nations during World War II. This pivotal legislation effectively ended American neutrality and transformed the U.S. into the 'Arsenal of Democracy.'

April 13, 1943

Discovery of Katyn graves

On April 13, 1943, German radio announced the discovery of mass graves of Polish officers in the Katyn Forest. This event revealed the NKVD crimes against Polish prisoners of war and state officials who were murdered by decision of the highest Soviet authorities in 1940. The discovery led to the severance of diplomatic relations between the Polish government-in-exile and the USSR.

November 28, 1943

Tehran Conference

Historic World War II meeting in Tehran between Allied leaders Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill that shaped military strategy and post-war world order through crucial agreements including D-Day planning.

April 25, 1945

Elbe Day

American and Soviet forces met at the Elbe River near Torgau, Germany, effectively cutting Nazi Germany in half and symbolizing Allied victory in World War II. The historic handshake between American Lt. Albert Kotzebue and Soviet Lt. Alexander Silvashko became an iconic symbol of Allied unity.

May 7, 1945

Nazi Germany Surrender

The unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany to Allied forces in May 1945 marked the end of World War II in Europe, with ceremonies taking place in Reims on May 7 and Berlin on May 8, following Hitler's suicide and the collapse of the Third Reich.

April 4, 1949

NATO Foundation

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established in Washington D.C. with twelve founding members, creating a military alliance based on collective defense principles to counter Soviet influence in Europe.

July 29, 1958

NASA Establishment

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, establishing NASA as a civilian space agency in response to the Space Race with the Soviet Union. The agency officially began operations on October 1, 1958.

April 12, 1961

First Human in Space

Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to journey into outer space, completing a 108-minute orbital flight aboard Vostok 1 spacecraft and marking a pivotal moment in human spaceflight history.