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French Surrender
In northwest Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh’s Viet Minh forces decisively defeat the French at Dien Bien Phu, a French stronghold besieged by the Vietnamese communists for 57 days. With the vietnam victory, this signaled the end of French colonial influence in Indochina.Making way for the division of Vietnam along the 17th parallel at the conference of Geneva. -
Vietnam Emmigration
Many vietnam natives moved out of here because of the way the communist government was treating them and feared for their lives were at stake. This all happened when North Vietnam conquered South Vietnam, were sadly many people were murdered, and made the political power of South Vietnam weaker. -
Ho Chi Minh Land Reforms
Communist, North Vietman began killing, torturing, for radical land reforms by the communist resulting in land owners being hauled for "people tribunals. Many of these people were forced into camps during this time period for ideology cleansing by the Ho Chi Minh. -
Eisenhower Helps Vietnam War Efforts
Diem pays a state visit to Washington where President Eisenhower labels him the "miracle man" of Asia and reaffirms U.S. commitment. "The cost of defending freedom, of defending America, must be paid in many forms and in many places, military as well as economic help is currently needed in Vietnam." -
Ho Chi Minh Revolution
In order to unite the people of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh started a People's War under his leadership. His Politburo orders a changeover to an all-out military struggle. This is the beginning of the Second Indochina War. -
Start of Vietnam War
Two U.S. military advisors are killed by Viet Minh guerrillas at Bien Hoa, South Vietnam. They are the first American deaths in the Second Indochina War which Americans will come to know simply as The Vietnam War. -
John F. Kennedy Inaugurated
John Fitzgerald Kennedy is inaugurated as the 35th U.S. The president declares " We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to insure the survival and the success of liberty." Privately, outgoing President Eisenhower tells him "I think you're going to have to send troops to Southeast Asia." -
Anniversary of the Republic South Vietnam
On the sixth anniversary of the Republic of South Vietnam, President Kennedy sends a letter to President Diem and pledges to help Vietnam get its independence with aid from the United States. -
Declaration of Neutriality
The Declaration on the Neutrality of Laos signed in Geneva by the U.S. and 13 other nations, which prohibits U.S. invasion of portions of the Ho Chi Minh trail inside eastern Laos. -
Foreign Assistance Act of 1962
President Kennedy signs the Foreign Assistance Act of 1962 which provides military assistance to countries which are on the rim of the Communist world and under direct attack. -
Diem & Nhu Assassination
After Lodge has a routine meeting with Diem the coup begins as mutinous troops roar into Saigon, surround the presidential palace. Diem and his brother Nhu are trapped inside the palace and reject all appeals to surrender. When Diem and his brother Nhu hideout is given away they are soon captured and assassinated. John F. Keneddy is takes this to heart and realizes he has failed to protect them. -
President John F. Kennedy Assassination
John F. Kennedy is assassinated while riding around the city of Dallas, Texas. Soon after his assassination, Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as the 36th U.S. President. -
USS Maddox
The USS Maddox reports a second assault by North Vietnamese gunboats. The U.S. bombs North Vietnam for the first time. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which gives President Lyndon Johnson the power to take whatever actions he sees necessary to defend South Vietnam from Viet Cong forces -
Water Gate Scandal
Early in the morning of June 17, 1972, several burglars were arrested inside the office of the Democratic National Committee. This was no ordinary robbery: The prowlers were connected to President Richard Nixon’s reelection campaign, and they had been caught while attempting to wiretap phones and steal secret documents.People say President Nixon didn't know about the scandal but he definitely did cover up the evidence. Although Nixon was never prosecuted to this raised much about politics. -
Vietnam CeaseFire
South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the United States sign a peace agreement in which a ceasefire is declared, the U.S. agrees to withdraw combat troops. -
Saigon Falls
The North Vietnamese have finally conquered Saigon; the war in Vietnam ends
