Vietnam War

Ho Chi Minh

May 21, 1941

China, North Vietnam's neighbor and ally, successfully tests an atomic bomb.

Independence for Vietnam

Sep 2, 1945

Ho Chi Minh declares an independent Vietnam, called the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

17th parallel

Jul 21, 1954

The Geneva Accords creates a cease-fire for the peaceful withdrawal of the French from Vietnam and provides a temporary boundary between North and South Vietnam at the 17th parallel.

South Vietnam

Oct 26, 1955

South Vietnam declares itself the Republic of Vietnam, with newly elected Ngo Dinh Diem as president.

NLF

Dec 20, 1960

The National Liberation Front (NLF), also called the Viet Cong, is established in South Vietnam.

John F. Kennedy

Mar 22, 1961

President John F. Kennedy orders more help for the South Vietnamese government in its war against the Vietcong guerrillas. U.S. backing includes new equipment and more than 3,000 military advisors and support personnel.

America's first combat missions against the Vietcong

Jan 12, 1962

In Operation Chopper, helicopters flown by U.S. Army pilots ferry 1,000 South Vietnamese soldiers to sweep a NLF stronghold near Saigon. It marks America's first combat missions against the Vietcong.

President Ngo Dinh Dielm

Nov 2, 1963

South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem is executed during a coup.

Gulf of Tonkin

Aug 2, 1964

North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters (the Gulf of Tonkin Incident).

President Johnson signs resolution

Aug 7, 1964

The U.S. congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Johnson the power to take whatever actions he sees necessary to defend southeast Asia.

Operation Rolling Thunder

Mar 2, 1965

A sustained U.S. aerial bombing campaign of North Vietnam begins (Operation Rolling Thunder).

First U.S combats

Mar 8, 1965

The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam.

Tet Offensive

Jan 30, 1968

The North Vietnamese join forces with the Viet Cong to launch the Tet Offensive, attacking approximately one hundred South Vietnamese cities and towns.

Mai Lai

Mar 16, 1968

U.S. soldiers kill hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the town of Mai Lai.

Number of Troops

Dec 5, 1968

U.S. troops in Vietnam reaches 540,000.

Withrawal of U.S troops

Jul 16, 1969

President Nixon orders the first of many U.S. troop withdrawals from Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh dies

Sep 3, 1969

Communist revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh dies at age 79.

American public and Mai Lai

Nov 13, 1969

The American public learns of the Mai Lai massacre.

Protests

Apr 30, 1970

President Nixon announces that U.S. troops will attack enemy locations in Cambodia. This news sparks nationwide protests, especially on college campuses.

Pentagon Papers

Jun 13, 1971

Portions of the Pentagon Papers are published in The New York Times.

Easter Offensive

Mar 12, 1972

The North Vietnamese cross the demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the 17th parallel to attack South Vietnam in what became known as the Easter Offensive.

Cease-Fire

Jan 27, 1973

The Paris Peace Accords are signed that provide a cease-fire.

Last U.S withdrawal

Mar 29, 1973

The last U.S. troops are withdrawn from Vietnam.

North Vietnam assault

Mar 13, 1975

North Vietnam launches a massive assault on South Vietnam.

Communism

Apr 30, 1975

South Vietnam surrenders to the communists.

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Jul 2, 1976

Vietnam is unified as a communist country, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Veteran Memorial

Nov 13, 1982

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. is dedicated.