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French Invasion
France invades Vietnam and makes Vietnam colony. -
Indochinese Communist Party
Ho Chi Minh helps found the Indochinese Communist Party. -
Japanese Invasion
Japan invades Vietnam. -
The Viet Minh
Ho Chi Minh establishes the Viet Minh (League for the Independence of Vietnam). -
The Battle of Dien Bien Phu
The French suffer a decisive defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. -
The Democratic Republic of Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh declares an independent Vietnam, called the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. -
The Viet Minh and China
The Viet Minh receive military advisors and weapons from China. -
U.S. Helps France
The United States pledges $15 million worth of military aid to France to help them fight in Vietnam. -
French Withdrawal
The Geneva Accords creates a cease-fire for the peaceful withdrawal of the French from Vietnam and provides a temporary boundary between North and South Vietnam at the 17th parallel. -
Ngo Dinh Diem Becomes President
South Vietnam declares itself the Republic of Vietnam, with newly elected Ngo Dinh Diem as president. -
NLF Established in South Vietnam
The National Liberation Front (NLF), also called the Viet Cong, is established in South Vietnam. -
Execution of Ngo Dinh Diem
South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem is executed during a coup. -
Gulf of Tonkin- First Attack
North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters (the Gulf of Tonkin Incident). -
Gulf of Tonkin- Second Attack
North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters (the Gulf of Tonkin Incident). -
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
In response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
A sustained U.S. aerial bombing campaign of North Vietnam begins (Operation Rolling Thunder). -
First Combat Troops Arrive
The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam. -
The Tet Offensive
The North Vietnamese join forces with the Viet Cong to launch the Tet Offensive, attacking approximately one hundred South Vietnamese cities and towns. -
Mai Lai Massacre
U.S. soldiers kill hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the town of Mai Lai. -
Abrams Replaces Westmoreland
General William Westmoreland, who had been in charge of the U.S. troops in Vietnam, is replaced by General Creighton Abrams. -
More Troop Arrive
U.S. troops in Vietnam reaches 540,000. -
U.S. Troops are Withdrawn
President Nixon orders the first of many U.S. troop withdrawals from Vietnam. -
Ho Chi Minh Dies
Communist revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh dies at age 79. -
Americans Learn about Mai Lai
The American public learns of the Mai Lai massacre. -
U.S. Troops Will Attack Cambodia
President Nixon announces that U.S. troops will attack enemy locations in Cambodia. This news sparks nationwide protests, especially on college campuses. -
Pentagon Papers are Published
Portions of the Pentagon Papers are published in The New York Times. -
Easter Offensive
The North Vietnamese cross the demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the 17th parallel to attack South Vietnam in what became known as the Easter Offensive. -
Last U.S. Troops Withdrawn
The last U.S. troops are withdrawn from Vietnam. -
The Paris Peace Accords
The Paris Peace Accords are signed that provide a cease-fire. -
North Attacks South
North Vietnam launches a massive assault on South Vietnam. -
South Vietnam Surrenders
South Vietnam surrenders to the communists. -
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Vietnam is unified as a communist country, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. -
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. is dedicated.
