The Vietnam War

  • The War Begins

    On this date, Japan invades Vietnam.
  • Japan declares their independence

    Japan surrenders to allied forces, and Vietnam is declared an independent nation.
  • The First Indochina War Begins

    The Viet Minh begin fighting against French colonial rule.
  • China helps Viet Minh

    China begins providing the Viet Minh with military advisors and weapons. The United States then pledges $15 million in military aid to France.
  • The Viet Minh defeat the French Army

    Vietnam is temporarily divided into North and South at the 17th parallel.
  • The U.S. begins to bomb North Vietnam

    The U.S. begins sustained bombing of North Vietnam, called Operation Rolling Thunder.
  • North Vietnamese and Vietcong forces launch an attack

    The North Vietnamese and Vietcong forces launched an attack on one hundred South Vietnamese cities and towns.
  • U.S troops plan to attack enemy locations

    Nixon announces that U.S. troops will attack enemy locations in Cambodia.
  • North Vietnam has an announcment

    North Vietnam announces a renewal of the war.
  • North Vietnam launches an assult

    North Vietnam launches a massive assult on South Vietnam.
  • U.S. troops leave

    The last of the U.S. troops leave Vietnam.
  • U.S military helps Southern Vietnam

    The U.S. military begins training South Vietnamese forces.