Checkpoint Charlie

In October 1961, American and Soviet tanks faced each other
at Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin — loaded guns, no orders,
and soldiers on both sides who had no idea if they would
survive the night.

For 16 hours through the freezing darkness, both sides
waited in complete silence. One misunderstanding. One
nervous soldier. One accidental shot. That was all it
would have taken to start World War III.

Behind the scenes, Kennedy and Khrushchev were quietly
negotiating through secret channels to pull both sides
back from the edge.

Just before dawn — the Soviet tanks reversed. Then the
American tanks reversed. One by one. Without a single
shot fired.

Part of the series: Every Major Decision That Accidentally
Changed History Forever.

Видео Checkpoint Charlie канала Nexen