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The Geneva Accords divides Vietnam in half
The U.S., Britain, China, Soviet Union, France, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos meet at the Geneva Conference on Indochina to negotiate a solution for Southeast Asia. The Geneva Accords ends up dividing Vietnam in half at the 17th parallel, creating South and North Vietnam. The importance of this event is that Vietnam is now separated into two different parts, North Vietnam and South Vietnam, which will soon battle each other in the Vietnam War. -
Construction of the Ho Minh Trail begins
The construction of possibly the most important trail used in any war throughout history is established. The trail eventually comprised a 1500-mile-long network of jungle and moutain passes extending from North Vietnam's coast along Vietnam's western border through Laos and parts of Cambodia. It funneled a constant stream of soldiers and supplies into the highlands of South Vietnam. The significance of this event is the huge part that the Ho Minh Trail played for the North Vietnamese. -
The NLF is established
The NLF (National Liberation Front) is established by Hanoi as its Communist political organization for VC (Viet Cong) guerrillas in South Vietnam. The significance of this event is that it establishes the Viet Cong in South Vietnam, who play an important part in the Vietnam War. -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis brings the U.S. and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war. The point of conflict was the stationing of intermediate range nuclear missiles in Cuba. The significance of this event was that it almost brought a nuclear war between the world, which would've ended in mass destruction of countries and people. -
President Johnson speaks about war involvement
President Johnson is nominated at the Democratic National Convention, and states, "We are not about to send American boys nine or ten thousand miles away from home to do what Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves." The significance of this event is that although Johnson says this confidently, actions against the U.S. would continue to happen, eventually forcing the U.S. to get involved with the war. -
U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War in Vietnam begins
The United States commences Rolling Thunder and sustains bombing on North Vietnam. The first U.S. combat troops are committed to Vietnam. The significance of this event is that it is the first time the U.S. is involved with the Vietnam War on Vietnam soil. -
First use of B-52s in the war
The first use of B-52s were enabled against targets in North Vietnam. There were strikes made along the Mu Gia pass. The significance of this event is that B-52s were extremely powerful and played an important role in fighting in the war. -
Tet Offensive is first established against South Vietnam
North Vietnam decides to launch a widespread offensive, known as Tet Offensive, against South Vietnam. The importance of this event is that the North Vietnam is trying to re-establish their power against the weaker South Vietnam, which forces more help from the U.S. to aid the South Vietnamese. -
Peace talks open in Paris
Peace talks begin to open in Paris. The peace talks were attended by the U.S., South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the VC (Vietcong). The importance of this event is that it marks the start of the peace talks that began in Paris, which would eventually be the place where an agreement happens that enables all U.S. troop involvement in South Vietnam to be over. -
Ho Chi Minh dies in Hanoi
President Ho Chi Minh of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam dies. The significance of this event includes the fact that Minh had been the heart and soul of Vietnamese Communism since the earliest days of the movement, and was especially important to Vietnam through the beginning years of the Vietnam War. -
Nixon plans to visit Communist China
President Nixon makes a major diplomatic breakthrough and announces that he will visit Communist China in 1972. The visit will include talks about the War, especially because China is in strong relations with the North Vietnamese. The importance of this event signifies the breakthrough between relationships of our enemies, especially when it comes to Communist China. -
Nixon proposes eight-point peace plan
President Nixon announces a proposed eight-point peace plan for Vietnam to try and end the war. It called for the withdrawl of all foreign troops from South Vietnam. Sadly, the North Vietnamese rejected the plan and proposed one of their own. The significance of this event is that it introduced the start of some sort of plan to end the fighting in Vietnam and to bring back the troops to their respective countries. Although the plan was rejected, it began the start to the end of the war. -
Paris Peace Agreement is signed
The Paris Peace Agreement is signed. President Nixon announces that the agreement that has been reached will "end the war and bring peace with honor." The significance of this event is that this is the agreement that ended U.S. involvement in Vietnam. -
Withdrawal of all American troops in South Vietnam
The withdrawal of all American troops from South Vietnam is complete. Also, there has been the release of 590 American POWs. The significance of this event is that we finally have reached an agreement that will bring back all of our American troops to the United States. -
South Vietnamese government surrenders
The government of the South Vietnamese finally surrenders. President Minh broadcasts a message of unconditional surrender. The importance of this event marks the final surrender of the South Vietnamese government.
