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Viet Minh forces attack the isolated French military outpost in the town of Dien Bien Phu, The attack takes two months, during which peace talks occur in Geneva. The French surrender, but the Viet Minh suffer larger casualties.
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South Vietnam declares itself a free state, Ngo Dinh Diem is elected president.
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Also called the National Liberation Front (NLF), this was the major opposition to the US in the Vietnam War
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U.S.S. Maddox reports being fired at in international waters. Six hours later, President Johnson orders a bombing raid on North Vietnam airfields. What exactly happened was unclear.
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Congresses passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving the power to President Johnson do assist any Southeast Asian government considered to be jeopardized by "communist aggression" effectively entering the US into the War
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Operation Rolling Thunder, a long lasting bombing offensive is in effect.
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5,000 U.S troops are dead and 30,000 wounded, Jungle warfare prevents progress, although a few skirmishes were won.
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Combined Assault by North Vietnam and Viet Cong on Tet Holiday. More that 37,000 Viet Cong were killed in the widespread commando attack. 2,500 Americans were killed, a huge blow to moral.
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After mounting pressure from the anti-war movement, Nixon, after speaking with the president of South Vietnam, plans to withdraw 25,000 troops
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The Communist revolutionary leader died
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The public learns of the mass murder at the hamlet of Mai Lai two years prior
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The North Vietnamese cross the DMZ at the 17th parallel to attack South Vietnam.
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Leaders from all sides of the war met in Paris in an attempt to make peace. Communications broke down multiple times, but a treaty was signed in late January.
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As troops withdraw, North Vietnam plans a widespread attack on the south.
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Highlands province attacked, desimating South Vietnamese troops. 60,000 more dead by end of year.
