The Vietnam War

Beginning of Vietnam War

Jul 21, 1954

Vietnam divides into two countries the Communist-led north and U.S.-supported south.

SEATO Treaty

Sep 8, 1954

Source "Eight nations sign U.S. sponsored SEATO treaty."

First Fallen Soilder

Dec 22, 1961

SourceSP4 James Davis of Livingston, Tennessee killed by Viet Cong (VC). First American killed in Vietnam war.

Foreign Assistance Act of 1962

Aug 1, 1962

Source Kennedy signs act which states "...military assistance to countries which are on the rim of the Communist world and under direct attack."

Kennedy Assassined

Nov 22, 1963

Source President John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas. Johnson is now sworn in as 36th president.

U.S. Goes to War

Aug 7, 1964

Congress grants request to go to war against the North Vietnamese and the Communists for violating the Geneva Accords.

Operation Rolling Thunder begins.

Feb 1, 1965

Source "A massive U.S. bombing campaign called Rolling Thunder begins in North Vietnam. The U.S. will conduct nearly constant air raids on North Vietnam for the next three years."

The U.S. Arrives

Mar 8, 1965

Source The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam.

North Vietnam Launches Tet Offensive

Jan 30, 1968

Source Surprise multi-city attack in South Vietnam.

Mai Lai Massacre

Mar 16, 1968

Source U.S. troops brutal kill hundreds of civilians in Mai Lai.

Troops Reach All-Time High

Dec 13, 1968

Source Over 540,000 U.S. troops recorded in Vietnam

Nixon Announces Cambodia Attack

Apr 30, 1970

SourcePresident Nixon informs U.S. about the plan to invade Cambodia, America breaks out in protest.

American Troops Return Home

Mar 29, 1973

SourceU.S. ground troops leave, fighting restarts between north and south vietnam but America does not go back.

South Surrenders

Apr 30, 1975

Source South Vietnam surrenders after being invaded at Saigon.

North Vietnam Wins

Jul 2, 1976

Source Vietnam is unified as a communist country