10 important things everyone should know about the Korean War

1. In 1945, the Soviet Union occupied Korea north of the 38th parallel and set up a communist government there. The United states occupied Korea south of that line, and set up a democratic government there.

2. In June of 1950, communist North Korea crossed the 38th parallel and invaded democratic South Korea. The resulting conflict became known as the Korean War.

3. The United States and 15 other UN nations made up the democratic fighting force . It was commanded by Douglas MacArthur.

4. In early fighting, North Korea pushed Sout Korea back almost to the city of Pusan at the souteast tip of Korea.

5. MacArthur landed his troops at Inchon, behind North Korean lines, and pursued the retreating North Koreans pastthe 38th parallel and deeper into North Korea.

6. China saw the UN movements into North Korea as a threat to its own security, and on November 25, 1950, the Chinese drove UN forces back to South Korea.

7. By early 1951, both sides were deadlocked along the 38th parallel.

8. MacArthur requested permission to bomb China, but Truman refused. MacArthur tried to rally support against the president's decision, and it resulted in Truman firing Mac Arthur.

9. As the war drew on, it became more and more unpopular.

10. Eisenhower won a landslide victory in 1952, and talked truce with North Korea and China. The war ended in a stalemate in July 1953, with the communists in control of North Korea, and democracy reigning over South Korea. A line of armistice was drawn near the 38th parallel seperating the two countries.