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Vietnam War: Prolonged conflict between Communist forces of North Vietnam, backed by China and the USSR, and non-Communist forces of South Vietnam, backed by the United States. President Truman authorizes $15 million in economic and military aid to the French, who are fighting to retain control of French Indochina, including Vietnam. As part of the aid package, Truman also sends 35 military advisers
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Cold war conflict between Communist and non-Communist forces on Korean Peninsula. North Korean communists invade South Korea
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President Truman, without the approval of Congress, commits American troops to battle
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Congress approves Gulf of Tonkin resolution, authorizing President Johnson to take any measures necessary to defend U.S. forces and prevent further aggression
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twenty second amendment o the Constitution is ratified, limiting the president to two terms
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President Truman removes Gen. Douglas MacArthur as head of U.S. Far East Command
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Puerto Rico becomes a U.S. commonwealth
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puerto rico becomes a U.S. commonwealth
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First hydrogen bomb is detonated by the U.S. on Eniwetok, an atoll in the Marshall Islands
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Dwight Eisenhower is inaugurated as the 34th president
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Armistice agreement is signed
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North Vietnamese torpedo boats allegedly attack U.S. destroyer in Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of North Vietnam
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U.S. planes begin bombing raids of North Vietnam
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North Vietnamese army and Viet Cong launch Tet Offensive, attacking Saigon and other key cities in South Vietnam
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First U.S. combat troops arrive in South Vietnam
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American soldiers kill 300 Vietnamese villagers in My Lai massacre
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U.S. troops invade Cambodia
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Representatives of North and South Vietnam, the Viet Cong, and the U.S. sign a cease-fire agreement in Paris
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Last U.S. troops leave Vietnam
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South Vietnamese government surrenders to North Vietnam; U.S. embassy Marine guards and last U.S. civilians are evacuated