Vietnam timeline By vcaiazzo Sep 2, 1945 Ho Chi Minh declares independence of Vietnam Ho addresses the public of their new freedom and what must be done. Period: Sep 2, 1945 to Apr 30, 1975 Vietnam War Sep 13, 1945 Viet Minh leave south Vietnam Feb 28, 1946 Ho Chi Minh asks for USA support Dec 19, 1946 First Indochina battle Mar 8, 1949 Elysee Agreement Feb 4, 1950 US gives military aid Mar 13, 1954 Dien Bien Phu Begins May 7, 1954 French surrender Jul 21, 1954 Vietnam divided into North and South Jul 8, 1959 First Americans die Feb 27, 1962 Diem survives assassination attempt May 8, 1963 South Vietnam protests Nov 1, 1963 Diem Overthrown Aug 7, 1964 Gulf of Tonkin resolution Mar 2, 1965 Operation Rolling Thunder Dec 25, 1965 Bombing halt Oct 21, 1967 March on the Pentagon Jan 31, 1968 Tet Offensive Jun 23, 1968 America' longest war *Official Sep 3, 1969 Ho Chi Minh dies Apr 30, 1970 Cambodia invasion Mar 29, 1973 Vietnam War is officially over for the USA Apr 30, 1975 Saigon falls, taken by North vietnam, war has ended