After World War II, the 38th Parallel became the dividing line between communist North Korea and democratic South Korea, and on June 25, 1950, North Korean forces supported by the Soviet Union invaded South Korea, initiating the Korean War. For three difficult years, the United States and other United Nations forces fought through rain, mud, snow, and mountainous terrain. In the end, the war was a time in which the tide was turned against the spread of communism. The cease-fire agreement was signed July 27, 1953, establishing a demilitarized zone in the vicinity of the 38th Parallel. Often called the Forgotten War, the defense of freedom in Korea laid the foundation for the march of democracy around the world. U.S. casualties and statistics given here are 54.246 killed in action, 103.000 wounded in action, 8,177 missing in action, 7,000 prisoners of war, and 919 Missouri casualties. On November 10, 1998, a portion of Highway 21, 10 miles north and 10 miles south of the 38th Parallel, was dedicated by the State of Missouri as the Korean War Memorial Highway to honor those who gave their lives, all who served, and the families who experienced the war.