Timeline: The Vietnam War

Sep 4, 1940

Japan occupies Vietnam

During World War II Japan invades Vietnam, which was then a French Colony. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

May 4, 1941

Ho Chi Minh establishes the League for the Independence of Vietnam

This is created to fight against both the Japanese and French who were claiming the territory. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Sep 2, 1945

Democratic Republic of Vietnam

Vietnam Decalares its independence from France. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Jul 4, 1950

U.S. Pledges Support for France

The U.S. government pledges $15 million in financial support, continuing the tradition of allies. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

May 7, 1954

Ho Chi Minh and company defeat French Forces

The French are defeated at the battle of Dien bien Phu. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Jul 4, 1954

Geneva Accords

French withdraw and Vietnam is split into North and South Vietnam. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Oct 26, 1955

South Vietnam: The Republic of Vietnam

South Vietnam elects a new president (Ngo Dinh Diem) and declares itself the Republic of Vietnam References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Dec 20, 1960

1960: Vietcong established in South Vietnam

The Vietcong were mostly communist supporters of North Vietnam. Adamantly opposed to the South Vietnamese President Diem. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Dec 4, 1961

Continued Military Support for South Vietnam

President Kennedy military advisors and equipment to aide South Vietnam. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Nov 2, 1963

Diem exectuted in a Coup

Killed by his own generals (three weeks before Kennedy was assassinated). References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Aug 2, 1964

Gulf of Tokin Incedent

Two U.S. destroyers were attacked by torpedo boats from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam). References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Mar 8, 1965

Operation Rolling Thunder

U.S. begins bombing raids of North Vietnam U.S. troops arrive in Vietnam. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Nov 4, 1967

Nearly 500,000 U.S. Troops stationed in Vietnam

15,000 casualties
100,000 wounded References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Jan 30, 1968

Tet Offensive

North Vietnamese and Vietcong break a cease fire and attack cities and towns in South Vietnam. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Jul 4, 1969

FIrst Troop WIthdrawals

President Nixon begins scaling back troops. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Sep 3, 1969

Ho Chi Minh dies at age 79

References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Jan 27, 1973

Paris Peace Accords

A cease fire is created. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Mar 29, 1973

Last U.S. Troops are withdrwn

References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Apr 30, 1975

South Vietnam Surrenders

After many attacks and waning support, South Vietnam surrenders to the communists North. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Jul 2, 1976

Vietnam unifies as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

The war is over. As casualties go, the U.S. and South Vietnam had the advantage. In the end, North Vietnam and the Vietcong met their goals, drove the U.S. out and United Vietnam. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.