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The French suffer a decisive defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.
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The Geneva Accords creates a cease-fire for the peaceful withdrawal of the French from Vietnam and provides a temporary boundary between North and South Vietnam at the 17th parallel.
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South Vietnam declares itself the Republic of Vietnam, with newly elected Ngo Dinh Diem as president.
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The National Liberation Front (NLF), also called the Viet Cong, is established in South Vietnam.
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South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem is executed during a coup.
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North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters (the Gulf of Tonkin Incident)
In response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution on Augest 7th -
Communist revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh dies at age 79.
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The North Vietnamese cross the demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the 17th parallel to attack South Vietnam in what became known as the Easter Offensive.
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The Paris Peace Accords are signed that provide a cease-fire.