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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.

Recently Added
Documents

October 11, 1960

Decree of the CPSU Central Committee and USSR Council of Ministers on the Object Vostok-3A

Decree issued by the Central Committee and the Council of Ministers entitled “On the Object Vostok-3A” approving the plan to carry out a human spaceflight in December 1960.

April 03, 1961

Excerpt from Ninutes Nº 322 of the CC Presidium of April 3, 1961, 'On the Launch of the Satellite-ship'

Final Presidium (or Politburo) decree, entitled “On the Launch of a Space Satellite-Ship,” approving the launch of a spaceship with a human on board.

June 15, 1960

Proposal from D. Ustinov et al to the CPSU CC on Cosmonaut Training Center

Proposal to the Central Committee from industrial leaders and the scientific community on creating a cosmonaut training center and establishing regulations on the professional …

November 10, 1960

Report from D. Ustinov et al on Preparations for Two Test Flights of the Vostok-A Prototype

Report from industrial leaders, scientists, and designers to the Central Committee on preparations for two test flights of the Vostok-A prototype before human space mission on …

January 05, 1959

Decree of the CPSU Central Committee and USSR Council of Ministers on Biomedical Research

Central Committee and Council of Ministers Decree titled “On Strengthening Scientific-Research Work in the Field of Biomedical Support to Spaceflight” that transformed the …

December 02, 1958

Letter, M. Khrunichev et al to the CPSU CC

Proposal submitted to the Central Committee (CC) by a number of industry leaders, scientists, and military officials proposing to strengthen biomedical research to support a future…

October 11, 1960

Decree of the CPSU Central Committee and USSR Council of Ministers on the Object Vostok-3A

Decree issued by the Central Committee and the Council of Ministers entitled “On the Object Vostok-3A” approving the plan to carry out a human spaceflight in December 1960.

April 03, 1961

Excerpt from Ninutes Nº 322 of the CC Presidium of April 3, 1961, 'On the Launch of the Satellite-ship'

Final Presidium (or Politburo) decree, entitled “On the Launch of a Space Satellite-Ship,” approving the launch of a spaceship with a human on board.

June 15, 1960

Proposal from D. Ustinov et al to the CPSU CC on Cosmonaut Training Center

Proposal to the Central Committee from industrial leaders and the scientific community on creating a cosmonaut training center and establishing regulations on the professional …

November 10, 1960

Report from D. Ustinov et al on Preparations for Two Test Flights of the Vostok-A Prototype

Report from industrial leaders, scientists, and designers to the Central Committee on preparations for two test flights of the Vostok-A prototype before human space mission on …

January 05, 1959

Decree of the CPSU Central Committee and USSR Council of Ministers on Biomedical Research

Central Committee and Council of Ministers Decree titled “On Strengthening Scientific-Research Work in the Field of Biomedical Support to Spaceflight” that transformed the …

December 02, 1958

Letter, M. Khrunichev et al to the CPSU CC

Proposal submitted to the Central Committee (CC) by a number of industry leaders, scientists, and military officials proposing to strengthen biomedical research to support a future…

Featured
Collections

YURI GAGARIN & THE FIRST HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT

Soviet documents on the April 12, 1961, flight of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin into space.

INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS IN THE COLD WAR

Documents on intelligence and state security during the Cold War, mainly focusing on security services in Soviet bloc countries.

VIETNAM WAR

This is a large collection of primary source documents all related to the the Vietnam War

CUBAN FOREIGN RELATIONS

Documents on Cuban's international relations, focusing on it's relationship with the Soviet Union, China and the United States.

SOVIET INVASION OF AFGHANISTAN

In December 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in response to a revolt against the Soviet-backed government.

CHINA'S CULTURAL REVOLUTION, 1966-1976

A social experiment aimed at suppressing counterrevolutionaries and purifying the CCP, the Cultural Revolution created chaos across China.

YURI GAGARIN & THE FIRST HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT

Soviet documents on the April 12, 1961, flight of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin into space.

INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS IN THE COLD WAR

Documents on intelligence and state security during the Cold War, mainly focusing on security services in Soviet bloc countries.

VIETNAM WAR

This is a large collection of primary source documents all related to the the Vietnam War

CUBAN FOREIGN RELATIONS

Documents on Cuban's international relations, focusing on it's relationship with the Soviet Union, China and the United States.

SOVIET INVASION OF AFGHANISTAN

In December 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in response to a revolt against the Soviet-backed government.

CHINA'S CULTURAL REVOLUTION, 1966-1976

A social experiment aimed at suppressing counterrevolutionaries and purifying the CCP, the Cultural Revolution created chaos across China.

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.

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