DECEMBER 16

(350 down and 15 to go)

You think we're in a tussle with China right now?  Take a look back.

The United Nations had been established at the end of World War II in 1945.  Korea was divided by the U.N. into North and South at the 38th parallel.  The Soviets and the U.S. each swore protection to their half of the country.  The North was a communist country and the South democratic.  China, also communist, was not considered a huge factor at the time but it's army was growing.   Japan had completely dismantled it's military.

The Korean Conflict began when North Korea invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950 - five years after the end of WWII.  Resistance to the North was bolstered by UN forces in the South.  The Soviets had armed the North.  Slowly but surely more Americans were added to the UN forces and more American materials were sent to fighters for the South.

The US was averse to engaging in another war.  Defense budgets were severely cut after WWII.  Our eyes were on Europe and the Soviets whom we had learned not to trust.  The Soviets were causing trouble in Germany.  We greatly feared a war on two fronts.

On this date in 1950, Chinese troops joined in the fight in support of the North.  The tipping point was reached.  We were embroiled in another serious war.  It raged for over three more years.  Almost  45,000 Americans lost their lives.  An armistice was not reached until 1954.  The North and South remain divided, today.