may 1, 1960 - U-2 Incident

Description:

During the Cold War, Dwight D Eisenhower approved a plan which would help the US gather information about the state and capabilities of the Soviet Union. On May 1960, Francis Gary Powers flew over the Soviet Union military base and captured photos of its layout and facilities to send back to the US. During this fly over the USSR shot down and captured Powers which raised tensions with the US. After lying at first, Eisenhower admitted to spying on the Russians, and after 2 years in Soviet Prison Francis Powers was released and exchanged for another Russian spy in the US. This was a horrible incident for the US and raised lots of suspicion in both countries.

Added to timeline:

Date: