Vietnam Timeline

Vietnam declares Independence

Sep 2, 1945

Vietnam declares Independence from France and is recognized as its own country by the United States and other countries.

Geneva Accords

Jul 21, 1954

The Geneva Accords was put in place to stop conflict in southeast Asia and gave Vietnam along with other countries their independence. It also split Vietnam temporally in half until a formal election could be held. The elections never happened and the Vietnam Civil War started.

Eisenhower re-elected

Jan 20, 1956

Eisenhower re-elected for a second term presidency.

Ho Chi Minh Trail

Dec 30, 1959

Ho Chi Minh Trail begins being used to supply North Vietnamese military groups/

JFK Elected President

Jan 20, 1960

John F. Kennedy elected for his first term in presidential office.

National Liberation Front created in South Vietnam

Dec 20, 1960

Vietnamese political organization formed in South Vietnam. The group is also known as the Viet Cong and fought for the Communist North from inside South Vietnam.

Johnson becomes President

Nov 22, 1963

Johnson becomes President after President JFK's assassination.

President Johnson re-elected

Jan 20, 1964

President Johnson re-elected after taking JFK's place for the rest of his term.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

Aug 2, 1964

An American boat was attacked by Vietnam ships in the Gulf of Tonkin

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Aug 10, 1964

The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was an agreement that allowed LBJ to send troops and other assets to Vietnam without declaring war.

Operation Rolling Thunder Begins

Mar 2, 1965

Bombing runs in North Vietnam, deemed "Operation Rolling Thunder," start and last for over 3 years.

First US Ground Troops sent to Vietnam

May 3, 1965

First United States ground troops sent to Vietnam to aid South Vietnam.

Nixon Elected President

Jan 20, 1968

President Nixon is elected for his first term in office.

Viet Cong launch Tet Offensive

Jan 31, 1968

During the Vietnamese New Year known as Tet, the Viet Cong launch large-scale attacks against over 100 cities in South Vietnam.

My Lai Massacre

Mar 16, 1968

U.S. Troops brought by helicopter invaded My Lai and killed over 300 unarmed Vietnamese civilians. Including men, women, and the elderly.

Vietnamization

Jan 1, 1969

Nixon starts a process he calls "Vietnamization" that slowly pulls out US troops while giving more responsibility to South Vietnam. [Year Only]

Largest Vietnam Protest in DC

Nov 15, 1969

Vietnam Moratorium Committee stage largest protest in DC.

Kent State Incident

Jan 1, 1970

Four students killed by national guardsmen during ant-war protests at Kent University. [Year Only]

Nixon Orders Invasion of Cambodia

Apr 30, 1970

Nixon orders the invasion of Cambodia from where North Vietnam was sending there troops into South Vietnam from.

Paris Accords

Jan 27, 1973

The Paris Accords was an agreement to establish peace in Vietnam as well as ending direct US military involvement. It also temporally made peace in Vietnam.

US Involvement In Vietnam War Ends

Mar 29, 1973

The last US ground troops pull out of Vietnam and US involvement in the Vietnam War ends.

War Powers Act

Nov 7, 1973

The War Powers Act was put into place to balance congressional and presidential power. The law places a 90-day limit on troops in other countries without approval from congress.

South Vietnam Surrenders

Apr 30, 1975

South Vietnam surrender to the communist North Vietnam.