-
Birth
Ho Chi Minh was born as Nguyen Sinh Cung on May 19th, 1890. He later receives the name Ho Chi Minh which roughly translates to "he Who Enlightens". His father was a strong supporter of Vietnam and Communism, therefore greatly impacting Minh's political views from an early age. This event is significant because Minh would become one of the largest Communist leaders of the 20th century (Murray 16). -
Birth of Basketball
In 1891, physical education professor and instrutor Dr. James Naismith, invented basketball in Springfield, Massachusetts. He wanted to be able to keep his students active during winter months or on rainy days by playing an indoor sport. This event is important because basketball has become a huge sport in today's American society (1890 to 1899 Important News, Significant Events, Key Technology). -
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
In April of 1891, Arthur Conan Doyle submitted the first Sherlock Holmes stories to Strand Magazine. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes was published in 1892, containing 12 stories total. This event is significant because the Sherlock Holmes stories had great success across the globe, which several spin-off series, movies, and even video games (1890 to 1899 Important News, Significant Events, Key Technology). -
Moving Picture
Thomas Edison was unable to link sound and motion together, but was able to create silent film using his kinetograph and kinetoscope. The "Black Maria" was the name of the first motion picture stage he had constructed. Looking through a lens, the viewer would be given the depiction of a moving image. This event is significant because it was the start to the film industry, which is huge across the globe and is still growing today (1890 to 1899 Important News, Significant Events, Key Technology). -
The Radio
In 1895, Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi uses radio waves to create a system of "wireless telegraphy" to transmit signals approximately 1.5 kilometers. Unfortunately, he doesnt; have many followers or supporters, so he later moves to England to gain financial backing. This event is significant because the radio became a widely used form of communication, and is still used today (1890 to 1899 Important News, Significant Events, Key Technology). -
First Modern Olympic Games
In 1896, the first modern Olympic Games are held in Greece. Since 776 B.C., only Greeks were allowed to compete, and the event was to be held on the border of Greece and Macedonia. This event is significant because it expanded the Olympics to a global level and allowed everyone to enjoy or participate in the pastime (1890 to 1899 Important News, Significant Events, Key Technology). -
First Boston Marathon
In 1897, the first Boston Marathon is run in Boston, Massachusetts. This marathon is 1 of 5 World Marathon Majors, which includes the cities of Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. This event is significant because today the Boston Marathon ranks as 1 of the world's most prestigious road racing events, and has an average of 20,000 taking part (1890 to 1899 Important News, Significant Events, Key Technology). -
French Communist Party
On December 30th, 1920, Ho Chi Minh co-founded the French Communist Party. While in his time with the Party, he was their leading spokesman on colonial matters, contributed to their newspaper "L'Humanité", and wrote the political pamphlet called "French Colonialism on Trial". This event is significant because the French Communist Party remain to be a major political party in French politics to this day (Freedman 14). -
Indochinese Communist Party
In May of 1929, Ho Chi Minh and members of Thanh Nien formed the Vietnam Communist Party. In October of 1930, Minh acted under Soviet advice and adopted the name Indochinese Communist Party. Minh during this time acted more as an arbiter of conflicts rather than an initiator. This event is significant because this Party allowed for the organization of revolutionary action, and led to fighting back against the French rule over Vietnam (Lacouture). -
World War 2
World War 2 started on September 1st, 1939. In 1940, Germany defeated France. This event is significant because along with the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Minh saw this as an opportunity for the Vietnamese nationalist cause. It also led to the formation of Viet Minh (Duiker 27). -
Vietnamese Independence League
The Vietnamese Independence League, better known as Viet Minh, was formed on May 19th, 1941. Viet Minh was organized and directed by Communists, and was to include all Vietnamese political factions, radicals, and moderates. This event is significant because Viet Minh would organize a resistance against French rule and Japanese forces, and led to Vietnam's independence (Freedman 17). -
North Vietnam
In 1945, Japanese forces were forced to withdraw from Vietnam, leaving Emperor Bao Dai in control of an independent Vietnam. Viet Minh forces then seized Hanoi, declaring it a Democratic State of Vietnam (North Vietnam), with Minh as president. This event is significant because it gave Ho Chi Minh more power, and made Viet Minh forces much more powerful and independent from other forces (History.com Staff). -
First Indochina War
When a French cruiser opened fire on Haiphong from November 20-23, 1946, killing almost 6,000 Vietnamese soldiers, peace was broken between the Vietnamese and French. Finally, on Decmeber 19th, 1946, the First Indochina War broke out. This event is significant because the French were defeated on May 7th, 1954, freeing Vietnam from French rule (Lacouture). -
Second Indochina War
On November 1, 1955, the Second Indochina War, or Vietnam War, began. During this time, Ho Chi Minh remained nominally as North Vietnam's head of state, and would take a more behind the scenes role. Minh also remained an important symbol of Vietnam's unification. The Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975, shortly after Minh's death. This event is significant because they were able to keep the U.S. out of Vietnam. Communists forces also seized Saigon, naming it Ho Chi Minh City (History.com Staff). -
Ho Chi Minh Trail
The Ho Chi Minh Trail was built in 1959, and was used up until 1975. The main trail wound into Laos, and another branch came through Cambodia. The trail contained underground barracks, hospitals, workshops, and storage areas for munitions and fuel. This trail was used by North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. This event is significant because the trail was able to carry Communist equipment, supplies, and troops into South Vietnam, which aided North Vietnam in winning the war (Murray 22). -
Death
On September 2nd, 1969, Ho Chi Minh passed away from heart failure. Just over 5 years later, the Vietnam War ends, without Minh as Vietnam's Communist leader. This event is significant because Minh proved to do an important Communist president for North Vietnam, by making them an independent state and keeping them that way (Murray 16).
