Korea divided between North and South (September 1945)- Following Japanese surrender, Soviets maintained military presence in the North with American troops in the South. Temporary border at 38th parallel established.
Soviets & Americans withdraw military (1949)- A pro-Soviet puppet government is left in charge of North Korea.
North Korea invades South Korea (June 24, 1950)- Whether North Koreans acted with Stalin's approval is still debated.
President Truman ordered air and naval support for South Korea(June 27, 1950) - The Soviet Union was now gone and the U.S. was able to win agreement from UN to support South Korea.
U.S. troops invaded Inchon (September 15, 1950)- US forces push North Korean army back north of the 38th parallel.
Pyongyang falls to UN forces (October 19, 1950)- North Korean becomes the capital of UN control.
Chinese divisions enter fighting (November 4, 1950)-Chinese troops push UN forces back across 38th parallel and capture Southern capital of Seoul.
Truman relieves MacArthur of command (April 11, 1951)- Following several warnings about insubordination, Truman angers public (69% support MacArthur) by firing the US commander. The re-establishment of Korea (March 1953)- Formal peace treaty never signed. Over 1,000,000 Koreans and 54,000 Americans killed in conflict plus thousands who die as prisoners of war.