This Day In History

June 24, 1948

The Soviet Union cut off all ground access to West Berlin, initiating the Berlin Blockade. The move was an attempt to force Western Allies out of the city and assert Soviet dominance over post-war Germany. In response, the U.S. and Britain launched the Berlin Airlift, supplying the city with food, fuel, and other essentials via aircraft.

The airlift lasted nearly a year and became a defining moment in early Cold War history. It demonstrated the resolve of Western powers to resist Soviet pressure without direct military conflict. The success of the operation strengthened NATO’s foundations and deepened the divide between East and West Berlin.