timeline

  • january 30 , 1968

    january 30 , 1968
    January 30, 1968 - The North Vietnamese join forces with the Viet Cong to launch the Tet Offensive, attacking approximately one hundred South Vietnamese cities and towns
  • April 30, 1970

    April 30, 1970
    April 30, 1970 - President Nixon announces that U.S. troops will attack enemy locations in Cambodia. This news sparks nationwide protests, especially on college campuses.
  • march 29,1973

    march 29,1973
    March 29, 1973 - The last U.S. troops are withdrawn from Vietnam
  • August 2 and 4 1964

    August 2 and 4 1964
    August 2 and 4, 1964 - North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters (the Gulf of Tonkin Incident).
  • march 2 1965

    march 2 1965
    March 2, 1965 - A sustained U.S. aerial bombing campaign of North Vietnam begins (Operation Rolling Thunder).
  • march 8 1965

    march 8 1965
    March 8, 1965 - The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam
  • march 16, 1968

    march 16, 1968
    March 16, 1968 - U.S. soldiers kill hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the town of Mai Lai
  • july 1968

    july 1968
    July 1968 - General William Westmoreland, who had been in charge of the U.S. troops in Vietnam, is replaced by General Creighton Abrams
  • march 1972

    march 1972
    March 1972 - The North Vietnamese cross the demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the 17th parallel to attack South Vietnam in what became known as the Easter Offensive
  • march 1975

    march 1975
    March 1975 - North Vietnam launches a massive assault on South Vietnam. April 30, 1975 - South Vietnam surrenders to the communists