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Official End of the First Indochina War
The First Indochina War was a war between Vietnam and France. The French would pull out of Vietnam after the Geneva Conference, essentially, gave northern Vietnam to the Communist power and let south Vietnam remain with their Emperor. This date began the transition of hostilities from the French to the United States, and the hostilities between north and south Vietnam boiled over-- allowing for the Vietnam War.
The image is an iconic image of a French soldier during the First Indochina War. -
The "Official" Beginning of the War
This patch is of the MAAG Vietnam division of MAAG (Military Assistance Advisory Group). U.S. records recognize November 1 as the beginning of the war because this was when MAAG Vietnam was established. MAAG in general helped train foreign armies as well as provide other assistance. -
Period: to
The Official Vietnam War Span
These are the dates that the U.S. government recognizes, although the actual beginning and end are up for debate. Some say it began as early as 1954 or as late as 1959. -
Ho Chi Minh Declares Revolution
I saw dates in both January and March of 1959 for this event, so I just went with March. This day really marked the turn from an insurgent war to a war with open hostilities. The invasion of Laos would follow soon after.
The image shows Ho Chi Minh, leader of the Communist North Vietnam. -
Nikita Khrushchev Supports Communist Revolution
I only found the date "January" with no day. In January, Nikita Khrushchev, Second Premier of the Soviet Union, announces his support for "wars of national liberation." This spurs on Communist North Vietnam into escalating the conflict further.
The image shows Nikita Khrushchev, second Premier of the Soviet Union. -
President Kennedy Commits American Troops
On October 24, 1961, President Kennedy pledges military advisors as well as helicopters to transport and direct battles-- directly involving American military forces in the Vietnam War.
The image is of President Kennedy with a map of Vietnam in the background. -
President Ngo Dinh Diem of South Vietnam is Killed in a Coup
President Ngo Dinh Diem of South Vietnam is killed in a coup assissted by the CIA. After Diem's death, South Vietnam would have a very unstable series of governments for the remainder of the war, allowing North Vietnam to gain more ground.
Photo is of President Ngo Dinh Diem. -
President Kennedy Assassinated
On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy is assassinated while in a presidential motorcade in Texas. Following his death, Lyndon B. Johnson, JFK's vice president, would be sword in. Johnson's presidency marked American escalation in the Vietnam War.
The image shows JFK moments before his assassination. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution allowed President Johnson authorization to use military force in Vietnam without a delcaration of war from Congress. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution allowed Johnson to massively escalate the Vietnam War very quickly. The Resolution was based on hostilities by the North Vietnamese which may not have even happened.
The image shows President Johnson signing the Resolution. -
Operation Rolling Thunder Begins
Initially slated for several weeks, Operation Rolling Thunder lasted for three years. Rolling Thunder was a long, gradual aerial bombardment campaign against North Vietnam. Over 800,000 tons of bombs were dropped on North Vietnam. In comparison, 'only' 500,000 tons were dropped in the Pacific during WWII. Rolling Thunder would inflict ~1000 casualties a week for the North Vietnamese, and also drastically changed Air Force tactics.
The image shows bombs being dropped from an American bomber. -
Napalm is Authorized
President Johnson authorizes the use of Napalm. Napalm, while physically destructive, was also used for psychological effect. Napalm would eventually be banned against civilian populations. Napalm would be a huge component of bombing campaigns in Vietnam by the U.S., with hundreds of thousands of tons being dropped.
The image shows the devastating physical and psychological effects of napalm, which was accidentally dropped by the South Vietnamese on South Vietnam in this instance. -
First American Combat Troops Arrive
This day marked the arrival of the first American combat troops. 3,500 men of the 173rd Airborne Brigade arrive to fight directly in the conflict. This number would only increase more and more as the war dragged on-- from 3,500 to 125,000 troops in a little under three months. 125,000 would soon increase to 400,000 in the same year.
The image shows a soldier from the 173rd Airborne Brigade in May, 1965 in Vietnam. -
Anti-war Protests Erupt Across the Nation
Held in New York, Washington, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and San Francisco, anti-war rallies become iconic of the 1960s. Anti-war, anti-draft, and anti-establishment, these protests were widely publicized and disseminated anti-war sympathies to the entire nation.
The image shows a group protesting the Vietnam War. -
My Lai Massacre
A tragic day for the world. On March 16, 1968, soldiers in the U.S. Army committed a mass killing of between 300-500 unarmed civilians in South Vietnam. Among the dead were men, women, children and infants. Women were reportedly gang-raped. The massacre would increase foreign oposition to the American's involvement in the Vietnam War, as well as leave a scar on U.S. military history.
The image shows some of the victims of the massacre, many of whom were dumped into mass graves or mutilated. -
Richard Nixon Inaugurated
Richard Nixon becomes president on January 20, 1969. He runs on a platform of peace, something that would not come to fruition for six more years. Nixon would continue military action despite his campaign promises.
The image shows Nixon during his 1969 inauguration. -
Paris Peace Accords
Seemingly the end of the war, the Paris Peace Accords are signed by the Vietnam War belligerents: The U.S., South Vietnam, North Vietnam and the Viet Cong. This supposedly ends the war, although North Vietnam would violate the treaty the following year.
The image shows the signing of the peace accords. -
The Fall of Saigon
Early on this day, the last of the Americans at the embassy in Saigon are evacuated. The American presence in Vietnam concluded here. The day before, Operation Frequent Wind began that would evacuate thousands via helicopter.
The image is of the evacuation process during Operation Frequent Wind.
