Timeline of the Vietnam War

  • Indochinese Communist Party Established

    Indochinese Communist Party Established
    The Indochinese Communist Part was established by rebel leader, Ho Chi Minh in October in the year 1930. This group was created to start a communist movement to get rid of French pccupation and rule over Vietnam.
  • Japan invades Vietnam

    Japan invades Vietnam
    In September of 1940, Japan invaded "Vichy French Indochina" near the Vietnamese railway to prevent the republic of China from importaing arms and fuel through this territory.
  • Vietname Declares Independence

    Vietname Declares Independence
    On September 2, 1945 leader Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam independent from France. The country now called themselves the "Democratic Republic of Vietnam".
  • United States Aides France

    United States Aides France
    In July of 1950, the United States pledges 15 millions dollars worth of military aide to help the French fight Vietnam. This initially started the US involvement.
  • Gulf of Tonkin Inccident

    Gulf of Tonkin Inccident
    On Auguest 2, 1964. the USS Maddox were performing intelligence patrol in international waters when they were attacked by North Vietnamese Torpedo boats. US fighter jets assisted the ship and some were damaged.
  • First American Combat Troops in Vietnam

    First American Combat Troops in Vietnam
    On March 8, 1969 American troops were sent into the demilitarized zone in Vietnam.
  • Tet Offensive Launched

    Tet Offensive Launched
    In January 30, 1968, Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces surprise attacked US troops and other allies in South Vietnam. The Viet Cong and North Vietnamese targeted military and civilian control centers throughout South Vietnam.
  • Mai Lai Massacre

    Mai Lai Massacre
    On September 16, 1968, US soldiers received word that Viet Cong fighters had taken cover in the small subset town Mai Lai. In the town there were only civlian women and children and elderly men. However, the soldiers were told to destroy the villiage because the civilians were considered enemy sympathizers. This group of US soldiers killed between 200 to 500 unarmed civilians. Many soldiers were found guilty of murder after this incident.
  • First Withdrawal of American Troops

    First Withdrawal of American Troops
    In July of 1969, President Nixon ordered the first of many withdrawals of American troops from Vietnam.
  • Nixon Annonces Attack in Cambodia

    Nixon Annonces Attack in Cambodia
    On April 30, 1970, President Nixon announced that US soliders were going to attack enemy locations in Cambodia. This caused uproars and protest, especially on college campuses.
  • Paris Peace Accords are signed

    Paris Peace Accords are signed
    On January 27, 1973, the Paris Peace accords were signed by the United States, South Vietnam, Viet Cong, and North Vietnam calling for a cease-fire.
  • Final Withdrawal of US Troops

    Final Withdrawal of US Troops
    On March 29, 1973, President Nixon announces the withdrawal of the final US troops in Vietnam. In his address he stated that "the day we have all worked and prayed and worked for has finally come".
  • North Vietnam Final Attacj on South Vietnam

    North Vietnam Final Attacj on South Vietnam
    On March 4, 1975, North Vietnam launches their final attack on South Vietnam. After 30 years, the South Vietnamese surrendered to the communist country.
  • Vietnam Unified

    Vietnam Unified
    On July 2, 1976, after the surrender of South Vietnam, to North Vietnam, the two became a unified country declaring itself the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
  • Vietnam Memorial

    Vietnam Memorial
    On November 13, 1982 the Vietnam Vetran's Memorial is dedicated to those who died or are missing in action. The memorial is in Washington D.C., Virginia.