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Battle of Dien Bien Phu Begins
The Viet Mihn launched their first assault on french forces. A force of 40,000 Vietmihn men go to the French Garrison armed with Chinese weapons, becoming the first battle of the war. -
U.S. increases military
The U.S. states that they will increases the number of military personnel in South Vietnam. They more than doubled their men from 327 men to 685 men of the MAAG by the end of 1960. -
John F. Kennedy elected President
John F. Kennedy becomes the youngest man elected as President in the United States, after he barely beat Republican Vice President Richard Nixon. This was the first presidency that candidates engaged in televised debates. -
Battle of Kienhoa Province
400 North Vietnamese guerrillas attack a village in Kienhoa Province. They were defeated by South Vietnamese troops. This was an early engangement in the Vietnam War. -
Lyndon B. Johnson visits South Vietnam
Vice President Lydon Johnson visits South Vietnam and offers Vietnamese President Ngo Dihn Diem economic and military aid. Diem accepts, and the U.S. begins to increase aid to Vietnam. -
Ngo Dinh Diem assasinated
President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother were killed by a group of soldiers after he was overthrown by South Vietnamese military. The death of Diem caused celebration among many people in South Vietnam. -
USS Madox is attacked
The USS Madox was face by three North Vietnamese torpedo boats. The Maddox managed to escape nearly untouched while greatly damaging one of the torpedo boats. -
Protests Against the War
40 men burned their draft cards in Berkely, California to protest U.S. involvement in the war. This was one event of many that protested the Vietnam war. -
The French Leave Vietnam
French soldiers leave South Vietnam because they realize they can no longer maintain their control over Vietnam. France recognizes Vietnam as a "free state" within the French Union. -
Invasion of Cambodia
President Nixon announces that American and South Vietnamese troops have invaded Cambodia. Their mission is to destroy bases that have provided aid to the NFL. This event occurred soon after Nixon has promised to withdrawal American troops from Vietnam. -
Congress Votes to Withdraw troops
The House and Senate vote to withdraw all U.S. troops from Vietnam by the end of the year. This was the first time in history that congress urged an end to a war that the U.S. was heavily involed in. -
Peace Agreement Reached
The United States, South Vietnam and North Vietnam sign a peace agreement, declaring a ceasefire. The U.S. agrees to withdraw their troops from Vietnam and South Vietnam agrees on new governent terms that allow for citizen involvement. -
Ceasefire Ends
The ceasefire is over in Vietnam and President Nixon wants to increase military aid in South Vietnam. The U.S. Congress rejects Nixon's request. -
The Fall of Saigon
Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam was captured by North Vietnam. Leading to evacuation of almost all American civillian and military personnel as well as, thousands of South Vietnamese civillians. This event marked the end of the Vietnam War! -
Ronald Reagan elected President
Ronald Reagan is elected President of the United States at the end of the Vietnam War.
