Breaking News:
Soviet Union Launches First Successful Satellite into Orbit
Moscow, U.S.S.R - On April 4th, 1957, the Soviet Union has reportedly launched the world’s first artificial satellite into orbit around the earth, a device known as Iskusstvennyy Sputnik Zemli (or The Artificial Satellite of the Earth), though commonly called Sputnik (the Russian word for satellite). Sputnik is shaped like a small spherical metal ball, with four "legs" which act as antennae. Sputnik is also equipped with a radio transmitter for better tracking of the satellite.
You can track Sputnik at home, if you wish. For our readers in the U.S., it will pass over your country an estimated 4 times. You’ll see a bright dot, moving through the sky. What you’re seeing is not the satellite, but the rocket that carried the satellite up, which is near the satellite.
While a remarkable scientific accomplishment, Sputnik is also just another piece of the competition between the two great powers of the world, the Soviet Union and the United States. This launch, while seemingly insignificant, is an important technological victory for the Soviets, as the technology could easily be used for nuclear attack of the United States, which the United States cannot currently defend against. We'll keep you posted as this story progresses!
You can track Sputnik at home, if you wish. For our readers in the U.S., it will pass over your country an estimated 4 times. You’ll see a bright dot, moving through the sky. What you’re seeing is not the satellite, but the rocket that carried the satellite up, which is near the satellite.
While a remarkable scientific accomplishment, Sputnik is also just another piece of the competition between the two great powers of the world, the Soviet Union and the United States. This launch, while seemingly insignificant, is an important technological victory for the Soviets, as the technology could easily be used for nuclear attack of the United States, which the United States cannot currently defend against. We'll keep you posted as this story progresses!
THE BERLIN WALL HAS FALLEN!
D.I.N. - Yesterday, November 9, 1989, the first East Germans have entered West Germany. The wall was put up in 1961 as a division between communist East Germany and democratic West Germany. After World War 2, Germany was divided among Soviet Russia, the USA, Britain, and France for occupation as determined by the 1945 Potsdam Conference. In earl y 1948, the Western countries unified their zones economically, creating a trizone, and implemented a currency reform later that year. Needless to say, Soviet Russia did not approve of this union and responded by sectioning off their Eastern region of Germany. The wall passed straight through neighborhoods and streets, dividing families and friends with a jagged cut. Over the years, thousands of East Germans escaped to West Germany or fled the country altogether through Hungary; but today, the East German government has ordered that the wall be opened and that visas be granted to any East German who requests one in attempt to staunch the flood of escaping East Berliners who would never return, hoping that the new visa policy would give people more freedom and incentive to come back after their visit. The East German government is also passing a new law that guarantees secret elections that the rest of the world can monitor.
Our East German correspondant, Fraulein Dummkopf, gave us a first-hand account of the day. The night before, West Berliners lined their side of the wall, climbing up and yelling at the East Berlin Border Patrol. Some even hopped over and began having friendly conversation! However, the most activity was by the checkpoints as an infinitely long line of East German cars inched through to the other side where happy West Berliners rejoiced and peppered them with confetti and flowers. They were also handing out bananas because East Berlin did not have access to good fruit and often had to go without. There were parties in the streets, Germans passing around bottles of champagne and taking hearty swigs, and an overall atmosphere of disbelief and excitement. At one point, the West Berliners on top of the wall were getting so rowdy that the East German Border Patrol attempted to douse the rancor with a cold spray of water from a hose. To their disbelief, the Westerners carried on and shared a few beers under an umbrella, mooned the guards, danced, and ignored their efforts.
In the image above, a West Berlin man is trying to break through the wall with a hammer while the East Berlin Border Patrol is relentlessly firing a water cannon at them through the widening cracks. At one point, the West Berliners managed to get a metal chain around the top of the panel and pulled down the wall, encapsulating the spirit of a now united Germany that had endured months of riots and protests that led up to this moment.
Our East German correspondant, Fraulein Dummkopf, gave us a first-hand account of the day. The night before, West Berliners lined their side of the wall, climbing up and yelling at the East Berlin Border Patrol. Some even hopped over and began having friendly conversation! However, the most activity was by the checkpoints as an infinitely long line of East German cars inched through to the other side where happy West Berliners rejoiced and peppered them with confetti and flowers. They were also handing out bananas because East Berlin did not have access to good fruit and often had to go without. There were parties in the streets, Germans passing around bottles of champagne and taking hearty swigs, and an overall atmosphere of disbelief and excitement. At one point, the West Berliners on top of the wall were getting so rowdy that the East German Border Patrol attempted to douse the rancor with a cold spray of water from a hose. To their disbelief, the Westerners carried on and shared a few beers under an umbrella, mooned the guards, danced, and ignored their efforts.
In the image above, a West Berlin man is trying to break through the wall with a hammer while the East Berlin Border Patrol is relentlessly firing a water cannon at them through the widening cracks. At one point, the West Berliners managed to get a metal chain around the top of the panel and pulled down the wall, encapsulating the spirit of a now united Germany that had endured months of riots and protests that led up to this moment.
Developing: Nuclear Weapons Discovered in Cuba
16th October, 1962
Washington D.C.- Sources within the government of the United States are reporting that the US has discovered definitive evidence of Soviet nuclear weapons on Cuban soil, and believes that they are pointed at the US. The United States of America and the Caribbean country of Cuba have been at odds ever since revolutionary Fidel Castro overthrew Batista in 1959, most famously resulting in the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. Cuba has since aligned itself with the Soviet Union. Khrushchev has assured the world that any activity in Cuba is strictly defensive; however, placing nuclear weapons this close to the US pushes the world very close to full blown nuclear war. More on this story as it develops.
October 17th-
American leaders have continued to meet, likely debating what the best course of action to take is. Khrushchev continues to say that the missiles are for defensive purposes only, while the US wants the missiles completely removed from the island. However, the Soviet Union will likely not acquiesce to this request, as the missiles in Cuba put them on equal grounds with the US, who have missiles in Turkey.
October 18th-
The US Government continues to debate, and it seems that there are two possible decisions emerging, one being and airstrike, while the other would be a large-scale blockade of the island. However, the government is still very much undecided.
October 19th-
The American Government has appeared to decide on a blockade of the island, and is planning on announcing the situation to the public sometime in the future
October 20th-
Some proposals for an agreement with the Soviets involving the removal of missiles from Turkey have been proposed by American leaders, but nothing in depth. Information on the missiles is still not public.
October 21st-
The US is reportedly continuing to plan its actions against Cuba, there is no further information right now.
October 22nd-
The US has notified its diplomats to go to foreign leaders and notify them about the missiles in Cuba. Additionally, the US has mobilized it B-52 force, guaranteeing that 1/8th is in the air at all times. The US notified the Soviets of its knowledge later in the day, then at 7:00 PM, notified its public of the situation, saying that there was “unmistakable evidence” of nuclear weapons on Cuban soil, and that he felt that any weapon launched from Cuba would be regarded as an act of war against the US from the Soviet Union, whom they would retaliate against. The US will blockade the island of Cuba from all shipments, though there are reports that Khrushchev has told ships to ignore the blockade.
October 23rd-
The US government reports that it has received a letter from Khrushchev reaffirming that the missiles are for defense only, and stating that the US should rescind its actions, as they are a threat to peace. Meanwhile, Castro has put his army on the highest alert level, and appears to be preparing for an invasion of his country. Kennedy officially signed the proclamation of a Cuban quarantine at 7:06 PM, and asked Khrushchev to respect it. The Soviet diplomat continues to deny that nuclear weapons exist in Cuba
October 24th-
The US government is reporting that of 19 ships heading towards Cuba, 16 have turned back to the Soviet Union, respecting the quarantine. However, the remaining three continued to approach the line, stopping at 10 AM short of crossing the line. Khrushchev has notified that he views the Blockade as an act of aggression, and will not respect it.
October 25th-
At 7 AM, the Soviet taker Bucharest was intercepted by the USS Essex and USS Gearing, but allowed to continue. More proposals of a Turkey/Cuba missile exchange were made, this time by Walter Lippman, a newspaper columnist.
The first ship boarded as a result of the Quarantine was the Lebanese ship, the Marucla, which was boarded by the USS Kennedy.
October 26th-
The building of missile bases in Cuba is reported to have not slowed, and Kennedy is reportedly now proposing an invasion of the country, which the Soviets will consider an act of war. The world appears to be on the edge of World War III. Talks with Turkey about a missile for missile trade have not gone well, Turkey reports that it will “deeply resent” any trades made. However, Khrushchev requires the removal of weapons from Turkey as part of any peace talks
October 27th-
Khrushchev once again reiterates that in order for weapons to be removed from Cuba, the US must also remove theirs from Turkey. At least 3 missile sites in Cuba appear to be operational. At 12 noon, an American U2 plane was shot down over Cuba, and its pilot, Major Rudolf Anderson, who was in one of the first missions that detected the missiles in Cuba, killed. More talks in the US about possible deals with the Soviet Union regarding missiles in Turkey.
Later in the day, the US decides that the Cuban missiles will be gone the next day, whether by force or by Soviet removal.
October 28th-
All 24 missile sites are completed, but by 9 AM, Khrushchev had decided to dismantle the sites, and ship everything back to Russia. Notably absent from this decision is Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who reportedly went into a rage upon finding out this information, and then reportedly went to an airbase so he could shoot down the next US aircraft, though none appeared.
Throughout the rest of the day, missiles are dismantled, and the world breathes a collective sigh of relief.
October 29th-
The quarantine is maintained while peace talks are prepared, while a formal agreement is signed on the removal of weapons
October 30th-
A UN team is sent in to verify that there are no nuclear missiles, and a proposal is made, including the banning of above ground nuclear weapons tests
Washington D.C.- Sources within the government of the United States are reporting that the US has discovered definitive evidence of Soviet nuclear weapons on Cuban soil, and believes that they are pointed at the US. The United States of America and the Caribbean country of Cuba have been at odds ever since revolutionary Fidel Castro overthrew Batista in 1959, most famously resulting in the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. Cuba has since aligned itself with the Soviet Union. Khrushchev has assured the world that any activity in Cuba is strictly defensive; however, placing nuclear weapons this close to the US pushes the world very close to full blown nuclear war. More on this story as it develops.
October 17th-
American leaders have continued to meet, likely debating what the best course of action to take is. Khrushchev continues to say that the missiles are for defensive purposes only, while the US wants the missiles completely removed from the island. However, the Soviet Union will likely not acquiesce to this request, as the missiles in Cuba put them on equal grounds with the US, who have missiles in Turkey.
October 18th-
The US Government continues to debate, and it seems that there are two possible decisions emerging, one being and airstrike, while the other would be a large-scale blockade of the island. However, the government is still very much undecided.
October 19th-
The American Government has appeared to decide on a blockade of the island, and is planning on announcing the situation to the public sometime in the future
October 20th-
Some proposals for an agreement with the Soviets involving the removal of missiles from Turkey have been proposed by American leaders, but nothing in depth. Information on the missiles is still not public.
October 21st-
The US is reportedly continuing to plan its actions against Cuba, there is no further information right now.
October 22nd-
The US has notified its diplomats to go to foreign leaders and notify them about the missiles in Cuba. Additionally, the US has mobilized it B-52 force, guaranteeing that 1/8th is in the air at all times. The US notified the Soviets of its knowledge later in the day, then at 7:00 PM, notified its public of the situation, saying that there was “unmistakable evidence” of nuclear weapons on Cuban soil, and that he felt that any weapon launched from Cuba would be regarded as an act of war against the US from the Soviet Union, whom they would retaliate against. The US will blockade the island of Cuba from all shipments, though there are reports that Khrushchev has told ships to ignore the blockade.
October 23rd-
The US government reports that it has received a letter from Khrushchev reaffirming that the missiles are for defense only, and stating that the US should rescind its actions, as they are a threat to peace. Meanwhile, Castro has put his army on the highest alert level, and appears to be preparing for an invasion of his country. Kennedy officially signed the proclamation of a Cuban quarantine at 7:06 PM, and asked Khrushchev to respect it. The Soviet diplomat continues to deny that nuclear weapons exist in Cuba
October 24th-
The US government is reporting that of 19 ships heading towards Cuba, 16 have turned back to the Soviet Union, respecting the quarantine. However, the remaining three continued to approach the line, stopping at 10 AM short of crossing the line. Khrushchev has notified that he views the Blockade as an act of aggression, and will not respect it.
October 25th-
At 7 AM, the Soviet taker Bucharest was intercepted by the USS Essex and USS Gearing, but allowed to continue. More proposals of a Turkey/Cuba missile exchange were made, this time by Walter Lippman, a newspaper columnist.
The first ship boarded as a result of the Quarantine was the Lebanese ship, the Marucla, which was boarded by the USS Kennedy.
October 26th-
The building of missile bases in Cuba is reported to have not slowed, and Kennedy is reportedly now proposing an invasion of the country, which the Soviets will consider an act of war. The world appears to be on the edge of World War III. Talks with Turkey about a missile for missile trade have not gone well, Turkey reports that it will “deeply resent” any trades made. However, Khrushchev requires the removal of weapons from Turkey as part of any peace talks
October 27th-
Khrushchev once again reiterates that in order for weapons to be removed from Cuba, the US must also remove theirs from Turkey. At least 3 missile sites in Cuba appear to be operational. At 12 noon, an American U2 plane was shot down over Cuba, and its pilot, Major Rudolf Anderson, who was in one of the first missions that detected the missiles in Cuba, killed. More talks in the US about possible deals with the Soviet Union regarding missiles in Turkey.
Later in the day, the US decides that the Cuban missiles will be gone the next day, whether by force or by Soviet removal.
October 28th-
All 24 missile sites are completed, but by 9 AM, Khrushchev had decided to dismantle the sites, and ship everything back to Russia. Notably absent from this decision is Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who reportedly went into a rage upon finding out this information, and then reportedly went to an airbase so he could shoot down the next US aircraft, though none appeared.
Throughout the rest of the day, missiles are dismantled, and the world breathes a collective sigh of relief.
October 29th-
The quarantine is maintained while peace talks are prepared, while a formal agreement is signed on the removal of weapons
October 30th-
A UN team is sent in to verify that there are no nuclear missiles, and a proposal is made, including the banning of above ground nuclear weapons tests
Special Report: Nuclear Missile Technology Improvements
Shown here is a diagram for a modern Soviet missile, one that could potentially threaten much of Europe if war broke out. As can be seen from the diagram, the missile is indeed modern, though the west has far better technology than this at present. Still, however, this missile is comparable to most of current missiles, though we also have far more powerful ones.
The diagram shows most of the components of any modern nuclear missile, and this intelligence gives us an edge over the Soviets; we know what they know, but they don't know what we know. Therefore, we know that we could easily beat them in nuclear warfare with advances not able to be shown here, for obvious reasons
The diagram shows most of the components of any modern nuclear missile, and this intelligence gives us an edge over the Soviets; we know what they know, but they don't know what we know. Therefore, we know that we could easily beat them in nuclear warfare with advances not able to be shown here, for obvious reasons