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Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam an independent nation and calls it the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
(http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/ho-chi-minh-46.php) -
Viet Minh receive military advisors and weapons from China after being recognized as an independent nation by the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union.
(https://libcom.org/history/1945-1957-vietnam) -
The United States becomes involved in the Vietnam war after President Harry Truman authorizes $15 million in military aid to France.
(http://www.ouramericanpresidents.org/truman.html) -
The U.S. creates a Military Assistance Advisory Group in Saigon to aid the French Army. (http://www.politico.com/story/2011/01/us-formally-ends-participation-in-vietnam-war-jan-27-1973-048235)
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Nearly 50,000 Viet Minh begin their attack on the hills protecting the Dien Bien Phu airbase. The French suffer a major defeat and reach out to Washington for help from the U.S., but no action is taken. (http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/vietnam-celebrates-60th-anniversary-battle-dien-bien-phu-victory-1447556)
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The Geneva Accords create a temporary boundary between North and South Vietnam at the 17th parallel.
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South Vietnam declares itself the Republic of Vietnam and Ngo Dinh Diem is named the president. (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ngo-Dinh-Diem)
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The National Liberation Front (a.k.a. Viet Cong) is created in South Vietnam. (https://www.emaze.com/@ALOZZZFL/Vietcong%5C-copy1)
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North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters. (http://olive-drab.com/od_history_vietnam_tonkin.php)
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Following the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the U.S. passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, thus committing the U.S. to take military action in Vietnam. (http://faculty.polytechnic.org/gfeldmeth/0110421a.html)
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A U.S. military aerial bombing begins in North Vietnam. Shortly after, the first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Rolling_Thunder)
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The North Vietnamese join forces with Viet Cong to begin the Tet Offensive. They begin attacking over 100 South Vietnamese cities and towns. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tet_Offensive)
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The U.S. kills hundreds of civilians in the town of Mai Lai.
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Ho Chi Minh dies at the age of 79. Beginning the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam.
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The American public becomes aware of the Mai Lai massacre, inciting protests within the country. Shortly after, the Pentagon Papers are released.
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North Vietnamese cross the demilitarized zone into South Vietnam and begin attack. (http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/vietnamwar/p
/easteroffensive.htm) -
After the last of the U.S. troops are withdrawn from Vietnam, North Vietnam launches a massive attack on South Vietnam.
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South Vietnam surrenders to the communists. Vietnam is soon named the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and becomes unified as a communist country in July of 1976.(http://alcalino.org/flag/Vietnam.html)
