Vietnam War Timeline

By brittanyaurelio
  • 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.

    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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • In response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

    In response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • General William Westmoreland, who had been in charge of the U.S. troops in Vietnam, is replaced by General Creighton Abrams.

    General William Westmoreland, who had been in charge of the U.S. troops in Vietnam, is replaced by General Creighton Abrams.

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

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

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

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

  • Communist revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh dies at age 79.

    Communist revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh dies at age 79.

  • - The American public learns of the Mai Lai massacre.

    - The American public learns of the Mai Lai massacre.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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