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Coup d'etat in South Vietnam
The U.S. supported a coup d'etat to overthrow Ngo Dinh Diem. Against Kennedy's wishes, DIem was assassinated. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
A North Vietnamese patrol boat fired on the U.S.S. Maddox. The Maddox returned fire two days later on August 4, starting the Vietnam War. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Congress allowed President Jonhson to use military force without a congressional decleration of war. It granted broad military powers to the President to use during the war. -
Tet Offensive
During the Buddhist holiday of Tet, Vietcong forces attacked major South VIetnamese cities, including the U.S. stronghold at Saigon. THis event showed the U.S. people that the Vietnam War would not be over quickly. -
My Lai Massacre
A massacre that occured when U.S. soldiers killed over 400 innocent Vietnamese women and children. This event sparked public outrage about the brutality of the Vietnam War. -
Invasion of Cambodia
Throught the year of 1970, the U.S. staged many operations in Cambodia, a neighboring country to Vietnam. The goal of these operations was to defeat Vietminh forces located in Cambodia. -
Fall of Saigon
In late April, Vietcong forces as well as the North Vietnamese army captured the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon. This event marked the end of the Vietnam War.
