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Surrender of France
The French surrender to the Viet Minh and the Geneva Conference on the status of Indochina begins. -
Land Reforms
Ho Chi Minh orders seeping "land reforms" in North Vietnam. This causes thousands of people to be imprisoned, tortured, or executed. Many Vietnamese flee to South VIetnam -
Guerrilla War
Ex-Viet Minh forces into the South organize and, with the support of Ho Chi Minh, begins a campaign of guerrilla warfare against Diem's administration. -
First American Deaths
Two military advisors are killed by Viet Minh guerilla soldiers. Making them the first Americans to be killed in the Vietnam war -
United States Increases Military Advisors
The US announces that it will increase the number of military advisers in South Vietnam from 327 to 685 men. -
Beginning of War for US
The first American solider dies in combat in Vietnam. For many Americans this marks the beginning of the war. -
Gulf of Tonkin
The US of Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. This gave President Johnson the power to take any actions he thought necessary to defend South Vietnam from Vietnam Congressional forces. This is also known as Blank Check. -
Rolling Thunder
President Johnson authorizes Operation Rolling Thunder, a small but extensive bombing tactic. Its aim was to force North Vietnam to forgo supporting the Vietnam Congress. -
Putting Rolling Thunder into Action
This day marks the first bombing raids that were scheduled due to rolling thunder. -
The Public Speaks
The first mass public demonstration takes place. The people spoke against Americas involvement in the war. -
Prisoners of War
US prisoners of war are paraded through the streets of Hanoi and are attacked by angry mobs. -
The Longest War
This date marks the day that the Vietnam war becomes the longest war that America has participated in. -
Vietnamization
Nixon announces his plan for "Vietnamization" of the war. His plan is to train and transition South Vietnamese troops to assume the roles that have been fulfilled by American troops. -
US leaves the War
On this day the last American solider leaves Vietnam. Though the war isn't officially over this marks the end of the war for the US. Some military advisers and Marines remain. -
War ends
With North Vietnam capturing Saigon this marks the end of the war and the fall of Saigon.
