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Geneva Conference
The Geneva Conference took place in Geneva, Switzerland between the Soviet Union, the U.S., France, the U.K., and the People’s Republic of China. The purpose was to attempt to find a way to settle outstanding issues on the Korean peninsula and to unify Vietnam and discuss the possibility of restoring peace. It started April 26 and lasted till July 20th. -
First Combat Death
On December 22, the first combat death was reported, it was an American serviceman dies in Vietnam. For most Americans, the death marked the beginning of the Vietnam War. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
On August 2nd, President Johnson announced two American destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin were fired on by North Vietnamese torpedo boats. The little attack damaged one US aircraft, one 14.5 mm round hit the destroyer, three North Vietnamese torpedo boats were damaged, and four North Vietnamese sailors were killed and six were wounded. -
Tonkin Resolution
On August 7th, the Senate and House passed the Tonkin Resolution that authorized the president to “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the U.S. and to prevent further aggression ” leaving the President with the power to do what he pleases. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
Operation Rolling Thunder was a strategic bombing campaign. Johnson expanded American involvement by shifting his policy to a sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam. This massive bombardment was intended to put military pressure on North Vietnam’s Communist leaders and reduce their capacity to wage war against the U.S.-supported government of South Vietnam. -
First Troop Arrives
On March 8th, the first combat troop arrives in Vietnam. Joinging the 3,500 Marines that landed at China Beach to defend the American air base at Da Nang. -
Napalm
On March 9th, President Johnson authorizes the use of Napalm. Napalm is a petroleum based anti-personnel bomb that showers hundreds of explosive pellets upon impact. It would increase effectiveness possible and reduce loss rate to be expected as a result of the low level attack pattern. -
Teach-Ins
In March, at the University of Michigan a group of teachers and students abandoned their classes and joined together in a teach-in where they informally discussed the issues surrounding the war and reaffirmed their reasons for opposing it. -
Eugene McCarthy Announcement
Eugene McCarthy, the Senator for Minnesota announced his candidacy for President of the United States. Eugene positioned himself as the anti-Vietnam War candidate which helped with the younger voters, mostly college students. -
Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive was a massive North Vietnamese surprise attack on January 30th. Ten holiday was a turning point in the war and it was a campaign of surprise attacks against military civilian commands and control centers throughout South Vietnam. -
Vietnamization
Vietnamization was a process that involved the gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops during the Vietnam war while South Vietnam continued the fighting. Nixon didn’t announce the withdrawal of 25,000 soldiers till June 8th. -
Announcing Attack on Cambodia
On April 30th, President Nixon announces that U.S. troops will be attacking Vietcong military bases in Cambodia. This news sparks nationwide protest, especially on college campuses. -
Kent State
At Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, 14 students protesting against the invasion of Cambodia became victims of the Ohio National Guard. 4 students died, 9 wounded, and 1 with permanent paralysis. -
Repealing the Tonkin Resolution
In December 1970(not a known exact day), the Congress was angry with the president about the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which gave Nixon nearly complete power in directing the war in Vietnam. When congress was repealing the Resolution Nixon didn’t oppose the Congress. -
26th Amendment
The 26th Amendment was changing the voting age from 21 years to 18 years old. Even though it was passed faster than any Constitutional amendment in history, it doesn’t mean it was an easy process. This amendment allowed millions of young people to participate in the democratic process and to have a voice in their political future. -
Restoring the Peace in Vietnam
After Nixon’s administration began the most destructive air raids of the entire war began. It was known as the “Christmas bombings”. In the wake of the bombing campaign, the U.S. and North Vietnam returned to the bargaining table. Finally Thieu gave in to the American pressure and allowed North Vietnamese troops to remain in the South. And on January 27th, the warring sides signed an agreement “ending the war and restoring the peace in Vietnam.” -
U.S. withdrawal of troops
President Nixon ordered the first of many U.S. troops withdrawn from Vietnam in July of 1969. On March 29th, the final troops were withdrawn from Vietnam. -
War Powers Act
Congress had passed an act as a way to reestablish some limits on executive power. The act read that the president was to inform Congress of any commitment of troops abroad within 48 hours and to withdraw them in 60-90 days. -
South Vietnam Surrender
On April 30th, the North Vietnamese army launched a full-scale invasion of the South. The North Vietnamese took over Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam and renamed it Ho Chi Minh City then put it under the communist rule. South Vietnam, then surrender ending the war. -
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
On November 13th, the U.S. dedicates a Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. to honor the U.S. service members of the U.S. armed forces. who fought inthe vietnam war. It also honors servicemembers who died in service in Vietnam/ South East Asia and those Missing in Action during the War.
