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vietnam
Japan invades Vietnam. -
may 1941
Ho Chi Minh establishes the Viet Minh (League for the Independence of Vietnam). -
september 2 1945
Ho Chi Minh declares an independent Vietnam, called the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. -
january 1950
The Viet Minh receive military advisors and weapons from China. -
july 1950
The United States pledges $15 million worth of military aid to France to help them fight in Vietnam. -
october 1955
South Vietnam declares itself the Republic of Vietnam, with newly elected Ngo Dinh Diem as president. -
august 2nd and 4th 1964
North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters (the Gulf of Tonkin Incident). -
august 7th 1964
In response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. -
march 2nd 1965
A sustained U.S. aerial bombing campaign of North Vietnam begins (Operation Rolling Thunder). -
march 8th 1965
The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam. -
march 16 1968
U.S. soldiers kill hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the town of Mai Lai.