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Geneva Accords
The conference within Geneva, Switzerland formally divided Vietnam into North and South Vietnam. -
Beginning of US Involvement
President Dwight D. Eisenhower assembles the Military Assistance Advisory Group to help train the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. This is considered to be the start of US involvement in the Vietnam War -
Period: to
the Vietnam War
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French Removal of Troops
In April of 1956, the final French troops leave the country of Vietnam. Before the war, they were the incumbent power and colonialized Vietnam. -
JFK Assassination
President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas, Texas. He was succeeded by Lyndon B. Johnson -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Two separate incidents occurred within the Gulf of Tonkin between US ships and North Vietnamese ships. Both are now considered controversial and possibly fake, but marked the start to military support from America. -
US Troop Land
The first US troops land in Vietnam, specifically in Da Nang of South Vietnam. -
Tet Offensive
On the Vietnamese New Year, or Tet, the Viet Cong attacked many bases and cities in South Vietnam. The offensive lasted three phases, finally ending on September 23, 1968. -
My Lai Massacre
The mass murder of over 500 South Vietnamese citizens by American troops in considered one of the most atrocious wartime moments in US history. Only one man was charged, serving only 3 and 1/2 years of house arrest. -
Vietnamization
President Richard Nixon begins his policy of Vietnamization, which included training Vietnamese allies and pulling American troops from the ground. The policy was used to "de-Americanize" the war. -
Woodstock
Over a four day period, a music festival in Woodstock, New York was held. It is considered a major historical event for its ties to the hippy movement and anti-war themes. Some major musicians who played include Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Who, and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. -
Draft Lottery
The Draft Lottery was held to assign military service to American men 18 years or older. The Draft had been in play since World War II and would continue until 1973. -
Watergate Break-Ins
A break-in at the Democratic National Committee's headquarters at the Watergate Hotel and Offices was the beginning of the end for President Nixon. His subsequent cover-up of the break-in led to his resignation on August 9th, 1974. -
Paris Peace Accords
A recognition of peace was signed by the United States, South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the Viet Cong. Separate treaties were signed, as South Vietnam refused to acknowledge Viet Cong as an entity in which to sign peace. -
American Troops Leave Vietnam
The final American troops leave Vietnam, ending the United States' direct involvement within the fighting. -
Fall of Saigon
The People's Army of Vietnam captures Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam. This marked the end of the Vietnam War.
