The Korean War began in 1950 with the North Korean invasion of South Korea. These two governments did not recognize each other as being sovereign or permanent. The United Nations, led by the United States, became involved in the conflict towards the beginning. Chinese and Soviet Union forces were also involved in the conflict. The war was significant in a number of ways, ranging from the number of different nations involved, the backing of North and South Korea by various world powers of the time period, and the first jet-powered fighter dogfights due to the transition from older models of fighter planes. The war ended on the 27th of July in 1953 with the signing of an armistice which established the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).