The Vietnam War

Ho Chi Minh Leads Viet Minh

Aug 30, 1945

Emperor Bao Dai surrendered leadership to Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh.

Letter to President Harry S. Truman

Feb 28, 1946

Ho Chi Minh wrote a letter to President Harry S. Truman, asking him for the support of the United States in gaining independence for Vietnam.

Elysée Agreement

Mar 8, 1949

Bao Dai signed the Elysée Agreement, which gave Vietnam "independence" within the French Union. The French, however, retained control over all key governmental functions.

Battle of Dien Bien Phu

Mar 13, 1954

The Viet Minh began its assault against the fortified hills protecting the Dien Bien Phu air base. United States in Vietnam 1945-1975. (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2015, from http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index.html

The Division

Jul 21, 1954

Vietnam was divided in half at the 17th parallel, with Ho Chi Minh's Communists ceded the North, while Bao Dai's regime was granted the South. United States in Vietnam 1945-1975. (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2015, from http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index.html

The First President of South Vietnam

Oct 26, 1955

Ngo Dinh Diem became the first president of the Republic of South Vietnam. President Eisenhower pledged his support for the new government and offered military aid.

The First Casualty

Jun 8, 1956

Air Force T-Sgt. Richard B. Fitzgibbon Jr. was the first American soldier killed in the Vietnam War. His death had a huge impact on many Americans.

National Liberation Front Established

Dec 20, 1960

The National Front for the Liberation was formed by Hanoi to replicate the success of the Viet Minh, United States in Vietnam 1945-1975. (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2015, from http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index.html

MACV Formed

Feb 6, 1962

The U.S. Military Assistance Command for Vietnam was formed and replaced MAAG-Vietnam, the Military Assistance Advisory Group which had been established in 1950.

USS Maddox

Aug 2, 1964

North Vietnamese gunboats attacked the USS Maddox in the Gulf of Tonkin, which resulted in the demage of one US aircraft and three North Vietnamese torpedo boats and death of North Vietnamese sailors.

First US Combat Troops

Mar 8, 1965

The first U.S. combat troops arrived in Vietnam as 3500 Marines land at China Beach to defend the American air base at Da Nang.

Bomb in Saigon

Mar 29, 1965

Viet Cong terrorists bombed the U.S. embassy in Saigon. United States in Vietnam 1945-1975. (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2015, from http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index.html

Vietnam War Protests

Nov 27, 1965

Over 35,000 people standed against the war. They circled the White House then marched on to the Washington Monument for a rally. United States in Vietnam 1945-1975. (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2015, from http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index.html

Tet Offensive

Jan 31, 1968

Beginning on the Vietnamese Tet holiday, Viet Cong forces attacked U.S. troops, which continued for months. The Tet Offensive brought a catastrophe to the NLF and the Viet Cong--they lost 37,000 fighters while the United States lost 2,500 men.

A Complete Failure

Feb 2, 1968

President Johnson labeled the Tet Offensive "a complete failure."

Peace Agreement

Jan 23, 1973

President Nixon announced that an agreement had been reached which would "end the war and bring peace with honor."

U.S. Withdraws from Vietnam

Mar 29, 1973

The last remaining American troops withdrew from Vietnam.

Thousands Flee Saigon

Apr 29, 1975

During the last weeks of April, an invasion of Saigon by the North Vietnamese became certain, and thousands attempted to flee the region.

End of the War

Apr 30, 1975

President Minh broadcasted a message of unconditional surrender. The war was finally over.