-
The French is defeated by Vietnam.
The French suffer a decisive defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. -
France withdraws from Vietnam.
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. -
South Vietnam declares itself a republic.
South Vietnam declares itself the Republic of Vietnam, with newly elected Ngo Dinh Diem as president. -
The NLF is established in Vietnam.
The National Liberation Front (NLF), also called the Viet Cong, is established in South Vietnam. -
South Vietnamese president is executed.
South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem is executed during a coup. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident. (1)
North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident. (2)
North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resoution, granting President Lyndon B. Johnson full command of the U.S. Army to help "preserve the peace" in Southeast Asia. -
Operation: Rolling Thunder
A sustained U.S. aerial bombing campaign of North Vietnam begins. -
First U.S. troops arrive in Vietnam.
The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam. -
Tet Offensive is launched.
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 as commanding officer of the troops.
General William Westmoreland, who had been in charge of the U.S. troops in Vietnam, is replaced by General Creighton Abrams. -
U.S. troops in Vietnam reaches 540,000.
U.S. troops in Vietnam reaches 540,000. -
First withdrawals from Vietnam.
President Nixon orders the first of many U.S. troop withdrawals from Vietnam -
Ho Chi Minh dies.
Communist revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh dies from a heart attack at age 79. His death wasn't announced until after 48 hours, for fear that it will demoralize the NLF. -
U.S. troops attack Cambodia.
President Nixon announces that U.S. troops will attack enemy locations in Cambodia. This news sparks nationwide protests, especially on college campuses. -
Portions of the Pentagon Papers is 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. -
Official cease fire.
The Paris Peace Accords are signed that provide a cease-fire. -
The last U.S. troops are wothdrawn.
The last U.S. troops are withdrawn from Vietnam -
Period: to
Gulf of Tonkin Incident.
North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters.
