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Vietnam War Begins
The longest war in American history starts.
Photo: [AP/Horst Faas] -
Saigon Bombings
13 Americans are killed. (1st American Casualties in Vietnam)
Photo: [Corbis] -
John F. Kennedy Wins 1960 Election
President-Elect John F. Kennedy narrowly defeats Richard Nixon.
Article: [The Scranton Times] -
1960 South Vietnamese Coup Attempt
A coup attempt against President Ngô Đình Diệm fails. -
Viet Cong Founded
This political organization was allied with North Vietnam and mainly operated in South Vietnam and Cambodia. -
Agent Orange
The U.S. begins using Agent Orange.
Photo: [The New York Times] -
1962 South Vietnamese Coup Attempt
There is another coup attempt against President Ngô Đình Diệm. They bombed Independence Palace. -
Battle of Ap Bac
Viet Cong are victorious against South Vietnam in the Battle of Ap Bac.
Photo: [The New York Daily Times] -
Buddhists Begin Protesting
Buddhists start to protest against Ngô Đình Diệm in Vietnam.
Photo: [AP/Malcolm Browne] -
Buddhists End Protesting
Buddhists protest against Ngô Đình Diệm in Vietnam ends. -
Assassination of Ngô Đình Diệm
Ngô Đình Diệm, South Vietnamese President from 1955-1963, is assassinated by the South Vietnamese army. Photo: [US National Archives] -
Assassination of President John F. Kennedy
President John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, Texas and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn-in.
Photo: [CNN] -
Melvin Laird Speech
Laird speech before Wisconsin Republicans. “Either we abandon or we enlarge our own commitment of material and supplies, and carry the war to North Vietnam.” Photo: [United Press International] -
Jim Thompson Captured
The longest held POW was captured Capt. Floyd J. "Jim" Thompson. -
Attack at Bien Hoa Air Base
Viet Cong attacks Bien Hoa Air Base.
Image: [Cherries/Bill Langan] -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
A controversial sea battle between U.S. and 3 North Vietnamese ships.
Photo: [Unknown] -
Alvarez is Captured
Naval aviator Lieutenant Everett Alvarez Jr. is shot down.
Photo: [Corbis] -
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution is approved
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution is approved by Congress authorizing President Johnson to take measures to repel any attack and prevent further aggression.
Image: [National Archives Identifier 2803448] -
Lyndon B. Johnson Wins Election
Lyndon B. Johnson defeats Barry Goldwater by a landslide.
Article: [The Evening Telegram] -
Robert Shumaker is Captured
Robert Shumaker is shot down.
Photo: [CBS News] -
Operation Rolling Thunder Starts
U.S. implements Operation Rolling Thunder.
Photo: [U.S. Air Force/NARA/Cecil J. Poss] -
Antiwar Teach-in is Held
The first antiwar teach-in is held at the University of Michigan. -
Phillip Butler is Captured
Phillip Butler is shot down. Photo: [Phillip Butler Website] -
Jeremiah Denton is Captured
Jeremiah Denton is shot down.
Photo: [National Archives] -
James Stockdale is Captured
James Stockdale is shot down.
Photo: [Unknown] -
Howard Rutledge is Captured
Howard Rutledge is shot down. Photo: [Veteran Tributes] -
200,000+ U.S. Soldiers Deployed
More than 200,000 U.S. soldiers are deployed in Vietnam.
Photo: [LA Progressive] -
President Johnson Continues the War
President Johnson states that the United States should stay in South Vietnam until communist aggression there is ended.Photo: [U.S. Information Agency] -
President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with South Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Cao Ky
President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with South Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Cao Ky in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Photo: [LBJ Library/Yoichi R. Okamoto] -
Oscar Mauterer is Captured
Oscar Mauterer is shot down.
Photo: [Pam Cain] -
James Mulligan is Captured
James Mulligan is shot down.
Photo: [The Valley Patriot] -
Jeremiah Denton Blinks Out T-O-R-T-U-R-E in Morse Code
Jeremiah Denton blinks out T-O-R-T-U-R-E in Morse Code in a Vietnamese interview that was broadcasted in America.
Photo: [Associated Press] -
Hanoi March
"Hanoi March", 52 prisoners parade in public view , being paraded through the streets of Hanoi. Photo: [U.S. Air Force] -
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Speaks Out Against the Vietnam War
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaks out against the Vietnam War before 100,000 people in New York City.
Photo: [The Atlantic] -
State Listed more than 650 Servicemen as POW/MIAs
U.S. State Department documents indicated there were more than 650 servicemen listed as POW/MIAs in Vietnam. -
Tet Offensive Begins
U.S. begins the Tet Offensive.
Photo: [Bettmann/CORBIS] -
Battle for Hue Begins
The U.S begins the Battle for Hue.
Photo: [CORBIS/Bettmann] -
Battle for Hue Ends
The U.S. ends the Battle for Hue.
Photo: [Associated Press] -
My Lai Massacre
The angry and frustrated men of Charlie Company, 11th Brigade, Americal Division enter the village of My Lai and start the massacre. Article: [The Plain Dealer] -
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dies
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is assassinated.
Article: [Times - Picayune] -
Tet Offensive Ends
U.S. ends the Tet Offensive.
Photo: [Tim Page/CORBIS] -
Period: to
POW/MIA Wives Taking a Stand
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Operation Rolling Thunder Ends
U.S. ends Operation Rolling Thunder.
Photo: [U.S. Air Force/NARA/Cecil J. Poss] -
Melvin Laird's Speech
Melvin Laird's Speech launching go public campaign.
Photo: [Associated Press] -
Ho Chi Minh Dies
Ho Chi Minh dies.
Article: [The New York Daily News] -
Nixon “Silent Majority” Speech
Nixon “Silent Majority” speech established Vietnamization as America’s principal exit strategy from Vietnam and promised continued withdrawals of American ground forces. -
Cambodia Invasion
U.S. invasion of Cambodia announced by Nixon. Photo: [National Archives and Records Administration] -
Kent State University Shootings
Shootings at Kent State University. Article: [The Plain Dealer] -
Jackson State College Shootings
Shootings at Jackson State College in Jackson, Mississippi. Photo: [Jack Thornell / AP] -
Melvin Laird Supports the "Vietnamization" Policy
Defense Secretary Melvin R. Laird points to a chart showing the administration's Vietnamization record during a news conference, Oct. 11, 1972, in Washington. Photo: [AP] -
Operation Homecoming Begins
Operation Homecoming begins.
Photo: [U.S. Air Force] -
Operation Homecoming Ends
Operation Homecoming ends.
Article: [Pacific Stars and Stripes] -
Vietnam War Ends
The longest war in American history ends.
Article: [Pacific Stars and Stripes]
