Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement

Brown v. Board of Education

May 17, 1954

Supreme Court Rules that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional.

Freedom Riders

May 4, 1961

Student volunteers begin taking bus trips through the South to test out new laws that prohibit segregation in interstate travel facilities, which includes bus and railway stations

President John F. Kennedy orders help for the South Vietnamese government

Dec 11, 1961

American helicopters arrive at docks in South Vietnam along with 400 U.S. personnel

Murder of Medgar Evans

Jun 12, 1963

Mississippi's NAACP field secretary is murdered outside his home

Cvil Rights Act of 1964

Jul 2, 1964

the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination of all kinds based on race, color, religion, or national origin

Operation Rolling Thunder

Feb 13, 1965

President Johnson authorizes Operation Rolling Thunder, a limited but long lasting bombing offensive

Armed Forces

Dec 30, 1966

By the end of 1966, American forces in Vietnam reach 385,000 men, plus an additional 60,000 sailors stationed offshore.

Nixon takes office

Jan 22, 1968

Richard M. Nixon is elected President. He promises to achieve "Peace With Honor."

Withdrawal

Jun 8, 1969

U.S. troops begin their withdrawal from Vietnam