The Vietnam War – 1954-1980

The Beginning of the Vietnam War

Nov 1, 1955

Diem started anti-communist campaigns across South Vietnam.

National Liberation Front

Dec 20, 1960

Designed to replicate the success of the Viet Minh, the umbrella nationalist organization that successfully enlightened Vietnam from French rule.

Diem and his brother are assassinated

Nov 2, 1963

Captured and killed by a group of soldiers. The people of South Vietnam celebrated the death, but led to political chaos.

Gulf of Tonkin incidents

Aug 4, 1964

The Maddox, a destroyer, was under fire. Served as an excuse for an immediate buildup of the Vietnam War.

Operation Rolling Thunder

Mar 2, 1965

A strategic bombing campaign. U.S. Military attacked targets throughout North Vietnam.

US Combat Troops arrive in Vietnam

Mar 8, 1965

3,500 U.S. Marines land in South Vietnam in response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident.

Mai Lai Massacre

Mar 16, 1968

American soldiers killed the majority of the population in South Vietnamese village of My Lai. No exact numbers are known, but around 500 people are estimated.

Nixon orders troop withdrawal from Vietnam

Jul 9, 1969

Second round of troop withdrawals. 35,000 troops were withdrawn.

Ho Che Minh dies

Sep 3, 1969

Dies of heart attack in Hanoi. His death isn’t announced until the day after. He was the heart and soul of Vietnamese communism.

Announcement that US troops will attack Cambodia

Apr 30, 1970

With the launch of the attack in Cambodia, the Vietnam War escalates, and protests are widespread.

Paris Peace Accords are signed

Jan 27, 1973

The U.S., South Vietnam, Viet Cong, and North Vietnam sign a formal agreement in Paris ending the war and restoring peace to Vietnam.

Last US troops are withdrawn from Vietnam

Mar 29, 1973

Nixon declares “the day we have all worked and prayed for has finally come.”

North Vietnam launches massive assault on South Vietnam

Mar 9, 1975

President Ford announces that for the U.S., the Vietnam War is “finished”.

South Vietnam surrendered to communists

Apr 30, 1975

North Vietnam made a large push south in which caused the collapse of the South Vietnamese government.

Then End of the Vietnam War

Apr 30, 1975

South Vietnam surrendered to communist North Vietnam.

Vietnam is unified as Communist country

Jul 2, 1976

Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The new government imprisons millions of people for supporting the regime. Many Vietnamese refugees, escape in crowded boats, hoping to reach other countries.