The Vietnam War – 1954-1980

  • Japan invades Vietnam

    Japan invades Vietnam
    This is important becasue this is what starts the war.
  • September 2, 1945 - Ho Chi Minh declares an independent Vietnam, called the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

    September 2, 1945 - Ho Chi Minh declares an independent Vietnam, called the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
    This is important becasue this is probably what gets France upset.
  • January 1950 - The Viet Minh receive military advisors and weapons from China.

    January 1950 - The Viet Minh receive military advisors and weapons from China.
    This is important becasue it gives all of the other countries a reson to think there is going to be a war. It makes the other countries a reason to get guns as well.
  • July 1950 - The United States pledges $15 million worth of military aid to France to help them fight in Vietnam.

    July 1950 - The United States pledges $15 million worth of military aid to France to help them fight in Vietnam.
    Thi sis important becasue this is where the US gets involved with the war.
  • July 21, 1954 - The Geneva Accords creates a cease-fire for the peaceful withdrawal of the French from Vietnam and provides a temporary boundary between North and South Vietnam at the 17th parallel.

    July 21, 1954 - The Geneva Accords creates a cease-fire for the peaceful withdrawal of the French from Vietnam and provides a temporary boundary between North and South Vietnam at the 17th parallel.
    This is important becasue it shows tha they tried to have peice between the two parties.
  • November 2, 1963 - South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem is executed during a coup

    November 2, 1963 - South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem is executed during a coup
    This is important becasue now south Vietnamese doesnt have a president and they have something ot fight for.
  • August 2 and 4, 1964 - North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters (the Gulf of Tonkin Incident).

    August 2 and 4, 1964 - North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters (the Gulf of Tonkin Incident).
    This is important becasue two US soldiers were killed.
  • August 7, 1964 - In response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

    August 7, 1964 - In response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
    This is important becsue the US tries to resolve the issue of what happened and try to find peace.
  • March 2, 1965 - A sustained U.S. aerial bombing campaign of North Vietnam begins (Operation Rolling Thunder).

    March 2, 1965 - A sustained U.S. aerial bombing campaign of North Vietnam begins (Operation Rolling Thunder).
    This is important becsue it is a retaliation of two US soldiers being killed.
  • March 8, 1965 - The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam.

    March 8, 1965 - The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam.
    This is important becasue this is where the war is really beginneg to start or where combat fighting is starting.
  • March 16, 1968 - U.S. soldiers kill hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the town of Mai Lai.

    March 16, 1968 - U.S. soldiers kill hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the town of Mai Lai.
    This is important becasue innocent people are killed.
  • December 1968 - U.S. troops in Vietnam reaches 540,000.

    December 1968 - U.S. troops in Vietnam reaches 540,000.
    This is important becaue this is the most trops that have ever been over there.
  • July 1969 - President Nixon orders the first of many U.S. troop withdrawals from Vietnam.

    July 1969 - President Nixon orders the first of many U.S. troop withdrawals from Vietnam.
    This is important becasue troops are being allowed to come home to their familes.
  • April 30, 1975 - South Vietnam surrenders to the communists.

    April 30, 1975 - South Vietnam surrenders to the communists.
    This si important becasue there is finally a winner and the war is over.
  • November 13, 1982 - The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. is dedicated.

    November 13, 1982 - The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. is dedicated.
    This is important becasue the people who fought in the war will alwasy be remembered.