The Vietnam War 1954-1980

By MarissaHanks
  • The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam.

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

    This event is extremley important because this is where the war is beginning to start and when combat fighting is starting as well.
  • Japan invades Vietnam

    Japan invades Vietnam

    This event is significant because this is the date when the actual war started. The Vietnam war started in 1940 and lasted throughout the duration of Word War 11.
  • Ho Chi Minh declares an independent Vietnam, called the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

    Ho Chi Minh declares an independent Vietnam, called the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

    Hours after Japan’s surrender in World War II, Vietnamese communist Ho Chi Minh declares the independence of Vietnam from France. The proclamation paraphrased the U.S. Declaration of Independence in declaring, “All men are born equal: the Creator has given us inviolable rights, life, liberty, and happiness!”
  • 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 event 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. This plays a significant role in the war.
  • The United States pledges $15 million worth of military aid to France to help them fight in Vietnam.

    The United States pledges $15 million worth of military aid to France to help them fight in Vietnam.

    This event is important because this is when the U.S. gets involved with the war. The United States pledges 15 million worth of military aid to France to help them fight the Vietnam war.
  • 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.

    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.

    On July 21, France signs the Geneva Accord, a cease-fire that leads to the peaceful withdrawal of French troops from Southeast Asia. Vietnam is temporarily divided between North and South at the 17th parallel (17 degrees north latitude).
  • 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

    Following the overthrow of his government by South Vietnamese military forces the day before, President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother are captured and killed by a group of soldiers. The death of Diem caused celebration among many people in South Vietnam, but also lead to political chaos in the nation.
  • North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters (the Gulf of Tonkin Incident).

    North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters (the Gulf of Tonkin Incident).

    This event is important because two U.S. soldiers died at this particular event.
  • In response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

    In response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

    This event is important because the U.S. tries to resolve the issue of what occured and tries to find peace within.
  • A sustained U.S. aerial bombing campaign of North Vietnam begins (Operation Rolling Thunder).

    A sustained U.S. aerial bombing campaign of North Vietnam begins (Operation Rolling Thunder).

    This event is significant because this event occured due to a retaliation of two U.S. soldiers being killed.
  • U.S. soldiers kill hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the town of Mai Lai.

    U.S. soldiers kill hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the town of Mai Lai.

    On March 16, 1968, during the Vietnam War, United States troops under the command of Lt. William L. Calley Jr. carried out a massacre of about 500 unarmed men, women and children in the village of My Lai.
  • U.S. troops in Vietnam reaches 540,000.

    U.S. troops in Vietnam reaches 540,000.

    This is significant because this is the most U.S. troops that have ever been in the War of Vietnam.
  • President Nixon orders the first of many U.S. troop withdrawals from Vietnam

    President Nixon orders the first of many U.S. troop withdrawals from Vietnam

    This event is significant because President Nixon allows troops to be sent home to their families. It has been quite some time for many of the troops that they have seen any loved ones.
  • South Vietnam surrenders to the communists.

    South Vietnam surrenders to the communists.

    This event is important because the war is finally over. There is finally a winner, and South Vietnam surrenders to the communists. This date is historic in history.
  • The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. is dedicated.

    The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. is dedicated.

    The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a 3 acre national memorial in Washington, D.C. It honors U.S. service members of the U.S. armed forces who fought in the Vietnam War. These heroic citizens will always be remembered through this memorial.