Timeline: Vietnam War Events 1954-1980

May 7, 1954

What happened at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu?

PBS Battlefield: Vietnam
At the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, the French lost in a decisive battle with the Vietnamese. It was a 55 day battle.

Jul 21, 1954

Temporary boundary between North and South Vietnam.

About.com
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.

Oct 26, 1955

The Fall of Diem opponents in the Autumn and Winter time.

Wikipedia
Ngo Dinh Diem became president and Eisenhower was trying to aid the military. During this time Diem had to deal with refugees and land areas for the Vietnamese. Diem also was able to get Hinh out of the country and the North and South had to reform their lands.

Jan 1, 1959

Group 559 and Ho Chi Minh Trail

PBS Battlefield:Vietnam
Group 559 is a specific North Vietnamese Army unit and it is a supply route from North Vietnam to Vietcong, South Vietnam. Approval from Prince Sihanouk of Cambodia, creates a route or the Ho Chi Minh Trial along the Vietnamese/Cambodian border, with offshoots into Vietnam.

Jan 1, 1961

President Kennedy what he did and how it helped

PBS Battlefield:Vietnam
"President John F. Kennedy orders more help for the South Vietnamese government in its war against the Vietcong guerrillas. U.S. backing includes new equipment and more than 3,000 military advisors and support personnel."

Aug 7, 1964

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution is passed

About.com
Based on what happened on August second and fourth, which was called the Gulf of Tonkin incident the U.S, Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

Jan 1, 1966

Black Panther Party For Self Defense was created

Elaine Brown wrote the best book about these Panthers and what they believed in. Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee, SNICK of the Civil Rights Movement and Huey Newton came up with this party. They were very popular and prominate members of what the party stands for.

Jan 30, 1968

North Vietnamese joining forces with Viet Cong

About.com
North Vietnamese does this to launch the Tet Offensive, which ends with attacking approximately one hundred South Vietnamese cities and towns.

Feb 22, 1969

American actions and their results

PBS Battlefield:Vietnam
"In a major offensive, assault teams and artillery attack American bases all over South Vietnam, killing 1,140 Americans. At the same time, South Vietnamese towns and cities are also hit. The heaviest fighting is around Saigon, but fights rage all over South Vietnam. Eventually, American artillery and airpower overwhelm the Vietcong offensive."

Dec 18, 1972

How North Vietnam caused trouble

PBS Battlefield:Vietnam
Operation Linebacker Two last for 12 days with many bombings taking place, B-52s, planes, airfields, and strategic surgical strikes. This is by the order of the president which, is a new bombing campaign against the North Vietnamese.