Vietnam timeline By youngmole Dec 19, 1945 Ho Chi mihn declares Vietnam's Independence Period: Dec 19, 1945 to Dec 19, 1980 Vietnam war Dec 19, 1950 U.S. pledges military aid to help french Dec 19, 1954 President Eisenhower outlines the Domino theory Dec 19, 1956 French leave Vietnam Dec 19, 1960 Kennedy elected President Dec 19, 1963 Kennedy assassinated Dec 19, 1964 Gulf of Tonkin insident Dec 19, 1965 First combat troops arrive in vietnam Dec 19, 1968 Nixon elected President Dec 19, 1973 Cease fire signed in Paris Dec 19, 1974 Nixon reisigns Ford become President Dec 19, 1975 Remaining American Soldiers Evacuate Vietnam