Vietnam War

Vietnam Divided

Jul 21, 1954

The Geneva Accords created a temporary boundary between North and South Vietnam and withdrew the French from Vietnam, this boundary may have led to the further division of and war within the country.

Guerrilla Warfare

Dec 31, 1957

A campaign of guerrilla warfare against South Vietnam was started by the Viet Min, and more than 400 South Vitenamese officals were killed and Diem began to arrest anyone suspected of being on Vietminh’s side. This was the beginning of the tension between the two sides and a start to the war.

First American Deaths

Jul 8, 1959

Two American military advisors became the first Americans to die during in the war during a guerilla strike at Bien Hoa.

Kennedy is Elected

Nov 8, 1960

John F. Kennedy is elected, defeating Richard Nixon - Kennedy would go on to make many influential decisions regarding the Vietnam War.

President Kennedy Sends Help

May 11, 1961

President Kennedy tripled the aid being sent to Vietnam and sent 400 U.S. Special Forces to advise and train the South Vietnamese Army, the hope was that this would help South Vietnam's ability to defend itself, and it greatly affected the relationship between the two countries and the war.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

Aug 2, 1964

North Vietnamese gunboats strike the USS Maddox, and as a result the U.S. passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and wages war against North Vietnam.

Lyndon Johnson is Elected

Nov 3, 1964

Lyndon B. Johnson wins the presidency in a landslide vote, he too makes a multitude of impactful decisions regarding the war.

Operation Rolling Thunder

Feb 13, 1965

A bombing campaign approved my President Johnson, in attempt to cripple North Vietnam's resources. This was the first major instance and development of U.S. invovlement in the Vietnam War.

U.S. Troops Arrive

Mar 8, 1965

Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara sends the first U.S. combat troops to aid South Vietnam, which greatly helps the southern part of the country and has a major impact on the war.

American Troops Stationed in Vietnam

Dec 31, 1966

By the end of 1966 almost 400,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Vietnam, and around 30,000 were wounded and over 5,000 were killed.

Robert McNamara is Released

Nov 30, 1967

Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara, is relieved of his duties by President Lyndon Johnson, this impacted the outcome and end of the war.

The Easter Offensive

Mar 30, 1972

North Vietnam crossed the DMZ zone and invaded South Vietnam, in response the U.S. bombed North Vietnam by aerial assault, this caused North Vietnam to suffer a major loss and played a role in their peace talks later that year.

Ceasefire Signed

Jan 27, 1973

A ceasefire was signed in Paris, known as the Paris Peace Accord. The U.S. agreed to pull their troops out of Vietnam, while the Vietnamese government promised to hold free elections for its people.

Unified Vietnam

Jul 2, 1976

Vietnam becomes unified as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This is imporant because this is an outcome of the Vietnam War.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Nov 13, 1982

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was revealed in Washington DC, and it has become an important symbol for the American people.