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Digital Archive International History Declassified

Welcome

The Digital Archive contains once-secret documents from governments all across the globe, uncovering new sources and providing fresh insights into the history of international relations and diplomacy. The Digital Archive is overseen by the Wilson Center's History and Public Policy Program and focuses on the interrelated histories of the Cold War, Korea, and Nuclear Proliferation. [Read more]

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Learn about specific topics and regions through essays, timelines and educational resources.

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documents

Explore documents from the Digital Archive through the map, date, and subject browsing tools.

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Documents

December 21, 1949

Congratulatory Remarks [Delivered at] the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow

Mao attends Stalin’s 70th birthday celebration, offering praise for his leadership of the socialist and internationalist movements.

October, 1950

Four Principles for Unity Between the Chinese People's Volunteer Army and the [North] Korean People

Mao instructs soldiers in the Chinese People's Volunteer Army to support Kim Il Sung and abide by North Korean policies while they help defend the North Korean people from the…

October 08, 1951

Conversation from [Mao Zedong's] Audience with the Tibetan Tribute Mission

Mao promises that the CCP will protect religious freedom and assist with development in Tibet.

March 09, 1953

Mao Zedong, 'The Greatest Friendship'

After the death of Stalin, Mao honors his legacy and achievements.

September 20, 1953

Congratulatory Message [from Mao Zedong] to the Chinese People's Volunteer Army

Following the signing of the Korean War Armistice, Mao writes to congratulate the soldiers of the Chinese People's Volunteers.

September 13, 1954

[Mao Zedong's] Reply After Receiving the Credentials of Albania's Ambassador [to China]

Mao welcomes the first Ambassador from Albania to the People's Republic of China and celebrates the bonds between their two countries.

December 21, 1949

Congratulatory Remarks [Delivered at] the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow

Mao attends Stalin’s 70th birthday celebration, offering praise for his leadership of the socialist and internationalist movements.

October, 1950

Four Principles for Unity Between the Chinese People's Volunteer Army and the [North] Korean People

Mao instructs soldiers in the Chinese People's Volunteer Army to support Kim Il Sung and abide by North Korean policies while they help defend the North Korean people from the…

October 08, 1951

Conversation from [Mao Zedong's] Audience with the Tibetan Tribute Mission

Mao promises that the CCP will protect religious freedom and assist with development in Tibet.

March 09, 1953

Mao Zedong, 'The Greatest Friendship'

After the death of Stalin, Mao honors his legacy and achievements.

September 20, 1953

Congratulatory Message [from Mao Zedong] to the Chinese People's Volunteer Army

Following the signing of the Korean War Armistice, Mao writes to congratulate the soldiers of the Chinese People's Volunteers.

September 13, 1954

[Mao Zedong's] Reply After Receiving the Credentials of Albania's Ambassador [to China]

Mao welcomes the first Ambassador from Albania to the People's Republic of China and celebrates the bonds between their two countries.

Featured
Collections

KOREAN WAR, 1950-1953

When North Korean troops invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950, the inter-Korean conflict entered its most bloody phase: the Korean War

KOREAN WAR BIOLOGICAL WARFARE ALLEGATIONS

In 1951 and 1952, the communist bloc alleged that the United States was conducting biological warfare (BW).

NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR HISTORY

Formerly secret documents from the communist word reveal that North Korea's nuclear program began as early as the 1960s.

KOREAN WAR ORIGINS, 1945-1950

Who started the Korean War? This collection adds context to the decisions that led to North Korea's invasion of South Korea on June 25, 1950.

NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY (NPT)

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is an international treaty developed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons technology.

CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR ACCIDENT, 1986

Soviet and Ukrainian records shed light on the lead-up to the Chernobyl disaster, the days of the accident, and the aftermath thereof.

KOREAN WAR, 1950-1953

When North Korean troops invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950, the inter-Korean conflict entered its most bloody phase: the Korean War

KOREAN WAR BIOLOGICAL WARFARE ALLEGATIONS

In 1951 and 1952, the communist bloc alleged that the United States was conducting biological warfare (BW).

NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR HISTORY

Formerly secret documents from the communist word reveal that North Korea's nuclear program began as early as the 1960s.

KOREAN WAR ORIGINS, 1945-1950

Who started the Korean War? This collection adds context to the decisions that led to North Korea's invasion of South Korea on June 25, 1950.

NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY (NPT)

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is an international treaty developed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons technology.

CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR ACCIDENT, 1986

Soviet and Ukrainian records shed light on the lead-up to the Chernobyl disaster, the days of the accident, and the aftermath thereof.

Welcome

The Digital Archive contains once-secret documents from governments all across the globe, uncovering new sources and providing fresh insights into the history of international relations and diplomacy. The Digital Archive is overseen by the Wilson Center's History and Public Policy Program and focuses on the interrelated histories of the Cold War, Korea, and Nuclear Proliferation. [Read more]

Explore
themes

Learn about specific topics and regions through essays, timelines and educational resources.

Browse
documents

Explore documents from the Digital Archive through the map, date, and subject browsing tools.

FROM THE
WILSON CENTER

Cold War International History Project

The Cold War International History Project supports the full and prompt release of historical materials by governments on all sides of the Cold War.

Nuclear Proliferation Int'l History Project

A global network of individuals and institutions engaged in the study of international nuclear history.

North Korea International Documentation Project

An informational clearinghouse on North Korea for both the scholarly and policymaking communities that disseminates newly declassified documents on the DPRK.

TWITTER

RT @aucontrarian: Thanks @CWIHP @kennaninstitute @TheWilsonCenter for a fun chat about #ColdWar #history and #Archives of interest to #twit…

RT @EricArnesen: Next at @HistoryCtr & Wilson Center's Washington History Seminar: Sarah Wagner's new book - What Remains: Bringing America…

RT @TheWilsonCenter: OUT NOW: "The African National Congress and Apartheid South Africa’s Nuclear Weapons Program" from @cwihp, @npihp, and…

"The African National Congress and Apartheid South Africa’s Nuclear Weapons Program," a new @NPIHP paper from Jo-An… https://t.co/xXY898cuuG

RT @JosephTorigian: Upcoming @CWIHP batch of new Japanese docs include Deng telling Nakasone in 1986 "The conditions for a general election…