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U.S. Involvement
President Kennedy wanted the United States to have a stronger presence in South Vietnam. This date shows when the additional Americans arrived in Vietnam. This event was important because it represented a huge step for America's involvement in the war. -
Operation Chopper
In the Vietnam War, this particular operation was the first combat operation by the Americans. This was a substantial moment because it represented the United States' committed entry into this conflict. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
This was a resolution put into effect by the Congress of the United States of America. Through this, President Lyndon B. Johnson now had the freedom to make any decisions necessary for defense in the Vietnam region of the world. This was a meaningful event during the Vietnam wartime because it affected all future decisions on the American side. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
This operation was a bombing operation with immense effects. This date was the date that the operation was approved by President Lyndon B. Johnson. This was hugely significant because this operation would soon become an enormous impact on the conflict; this day marked the approval of it. -
First Bombings of Operation Rolling Thunder
On this date, Operation Rolling Thunder's first bombs were put into effect; this was a notable combat point in the history of the war because this operation was so substantial. This was the physical beginning of it. -
Peace Offering
This date was a significant point in the war because there was an attempt to resolve the conflict. The United States of America implored North Vietnam to establish peace; in return, North Vietnam would receive monetary assistance from America. However, this offer was not accepted. Accepting this offering would have changed history. Conversely, the fact that the offering was not accepted changed history as well. -
Operation Crimp
This operation was a capture operation; it is also considered America's largest operation within the context of the Vietnam War. This was significant because it demonstrated that the war was gaining severity and intensity through the expansion of American operations. -
End of Operation Rolling Thunder
This date marked the end of Operation Rolling Thunder. The operation had been in effect for about three and a half years. This operation cultivated so much death and destruction on the American side, on the Vietnamese side, and even to outside individuals. This event is important because it marked the end of a devastating yet crucial operation; it also gives the scholar pause to consider the immensity of the casualities of this conflict. -
President Richard Nixon
On this date, Richard Nixon took office. He became the President of the United States with intentions already in mind for the Vietnam War. This was important because a shift in power would mean a shift in the war, in some way or another. -
Operation Menu
This operation was established by President Nixon and was kept quite secret. This operation bombed enemy bases residing in Cambodia. According to the PBS website, the United States dropped "...more than a half million tons of bombs on Cambodia." This took place over several years and was significant because it reflected a secretive and destructive turn that the war was taking. -
U.S. Combat Death Toll
As of April 1969, the United States had lost more men in the Vietnam War than they had in the Korean War. This was significant because the death toll was rising substantially and quickly, which reflected the nature and severity of the war. -
Withdrawal of American Troops
On this date, President Richard Nixon met with Nguyen Van Thieu who was the President of South Vietnam. According to the PBS website, Nixon announced that "...25,000 U.S. troops [would] be withdrawn immediately." This was a big moment because America was beginning to extract its men out of this conflict, which had a definite impact on the war and consequently on history. -
Peace Talks
Representatives from both the United States and North Vietnam met in Paris to discuss the possibilities for peace. This was a turning point for the war because it meant that the end of the conflict was near. -
Cease Fire
A cease fire agreement was signed on this date by all who had been participating in the conflict. This was so significant because it marked the beginning of peace and the end of a horrific ordeal. It represented resolution. -
Leaving Vietnam
On this date, the remaining American soldiers left Vietnam. This event marked the official end of the Vietnam War for the United States. This was hugely significant because it meant that the war was over.
