Teh First Indochina War begins, as the Viet Minh begin fighting against French colonial rule.
China begins providing Vietnamese weapons, In response the United States pledges $15 million in mulitary aid to France
The Viet Minh defeat the French army in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, forcing the surrender of most of the occupying troops.
The U.S. military begins training South Vietnamese forces.
Communist guerillas begin an insurgency in South Vietnam, assassinating more than 400 South Vietnamese officials
North Vietnamese and Vietcong forces launch an attack on one hundred South Vietnamese cities and towns.
Within days, U.S. forces recapture most areas. The “Tet Offensive” is a military defeat for Communists, but is a political victory, as Americans begin questioning the U.S. military’s conduct of the war.
The North Vietnamese cross the demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the 17th parallel to attack South Vietnam in what will be known as the Easter Offensive.