The Vietnam War (1954-1980)

Vietnam War

Period: Jan 1, 1954 to Dec 31, 1982

Temporary boundary of North and South Vietnam is formed

Jul 21, 1954

Peaceful withdrawl of the French from vietnam creates a temporary boundary between North and South Vietnam at the 17th parallell.

South Vietnam declares itself "Republic of Vietnam"

Oct 26, 1955

South Vietnam declares itself as the "Republic of Vietnam" under leadership of Ngo Dinh Diem as president.

JFK Elected U.S. President

Nov 29, 1960

Diem is Murdered

May 28, 1963

South Vietnamese military murders Diem with approval from U.S.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

Aug 2, 1964

Two U.S. destroyers were attacked by North Vietnamese while sitting in international waters in the Gulf of Tonkin

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Aug 7, 1964

The U.S. Congress passed the "Gulf of Tonkin Resolution" in response to the attack a few days earlier.

Operation Rolling Thunder

Mar 2, 1965

U.S aerial bombing campaign in North Vietnam begins

U.S Combat troops arrive in Vietnam

Mar 8, 1965

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

Tet Offensive is launched

Jan 30, 1968

North Vietnamese join forces with Viet Cong to create the Tet Offensive, which attacked over 100 South Vietnamese towns.

540,000 U.S. troops in Vietnam

Dec 28, 1968

There are now 540,000 U.S. troops in Vietnam.

Nixon orders U.S troop withdrawls

Jul 27, 1969

President Nixon orders the first troop withdrawl from Vietnam, with many more to follow.

Ho Chi Minh dies

Sep 3, 1969

Communist leader Ho Chi minh dies at the age of 79.

Nixon announces attack enemy locations in Cambodia

Apr 30, 1970

U.S. troops attack enemy locations in Cambodia under direction of Nixon which created nationwide protests.

Easter Offensive Attack

Mar 28, 1972

North Vietnamese crossed the DMZ zone to attack South Vietnam.

Paris Peace Accords Signed

Jan 27, 1973

Paris Peace Accords are signed creating a cease-fire.

U.S. Troops leave Vietnam

Mar 29, 1973

The last group of U.S. troops leave Vietnam.

North Vietnam attacks South Vietnam

Mar 28, 1975

North Vietnam launches a massive attack on South Vietnam.

South Vietnam Surrenders

Apr 30, 1975

South Vietnam surrenders to communist North Vietnam.

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is formed

Jul 2, 1976

Vietnam is unified as a single communist country.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial is dedicated

Nov 13, 1982

In Washington D.C. the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is dedicated.