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The French suffer a decisive defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.
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The Geneva Accords creates a ceasefire for the peacfufl withdrawal of the French from vietnap. They also create a temporary boundary between North and Sourth Vietnam. (near the 17th parallel).
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South Vietnam declares itself the Republic of Vietnam. Ngo Dinh Diem is the newly elected President.
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The National Liberation Front (Viet Cong) is established in South Vietnam.
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South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem is executed during a coup.
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North Vietnamese attack 2 United States destroyers sitting in international waters. Also known as the Gulf of Tonkin Incident.
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The U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident
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A sustained United States ariel bombing campaign of North Vietnam begins. Known as Operation Rolling Thunder.
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First United States combat troops arrive in Vietnam.
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U.S. soldiers kill hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the town of Mai Lai
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President Nixon orders the first of many U.S. troop withdrawals from Vietnam
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President Nixon announces that U.S. troops will attack enemy locations in Cambodia. This news sparks nationwide protests, especially on college campuses.
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The North Vietnamese cross the demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the 17th parallel to attack South Vietnam in what became known as the Easter Offensive.
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South Vietnam surrenders to the communists.
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Vietnam is unified as a communist country, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
