Vietnam War Timeline

  • Geneva Accords

    Geneva Accords
    The Geneva Accords laid down many things. Among these were; Vietnam becomes its own nation, Cambodia would become its own nation, and Laos would be given their independence. As a result, Vietnam becomes divided for two years.
  • Assassination of Diem

    Assassination of Diem
    Diem was a Vietnamese politician who was the prime minister of Vietnam, and then served as President of South Vietnam until he was assassinated in 1963.
  • Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

    Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
    The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution gave President Lyndon Johnson the right to “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression” by the government of North Vietnam. This action was taken in response to the Gulf of Tonkin incident.
  • LBJ ordered 1st troops to Vietnam

    LBJ ordered 1st troops to Vietnam
    President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered troops to go to Vietnam after the Gulf of Tonkin incident of August 2nd and 4th, 1964
  • Tet Offensive

    Tet Offensive
    The Tet Offensive was a series of North Vietnamese attacks in South Vietnam. This was an attempt to prevent rebellion with the South Vietnamese population and encourage the United States to reduce involvement in the war.
  • My Lai Massacre

    My Lai Massacre
    The My Lai massacre was a horrific incident of violence committed against civilians of Vietnam during the War. American soldiers brutally killed majority of the population including women, children and old men with no motives.
  • Nixon becomes President

    Nixon becomes President
    President Nixon was inaugurated as the 37th president of the United Sates. His presidency later ended in August of 1974, when he faced impeachment and ultimately resigned. President Nixon did many things for the US, including ending the Vietnam war, and creating peace with the Soviet Union.
  • Nixon ordered troops to Cambodia

    Nixon ordered troops to Cambodia
    One of the most controversial acts of President Nixon's during his presidency, Nixon ordered troops into Cambodia to disrupt the Ho Chi Minh Trail used by North Vietnam, despite Cambodia being neutral. In 1970, he ordered air and ground strikes in Cambodia which caused anger and unrest.
  • Hard Hat Riot

    Hard Hat Riot
    This riot occured prior to the peaceful protest from students who were against the Kent State shootings. The otherwise peaceful protest turned violent after construction workers attacked the students.
  • Nixon’s Christmas bombing

    Nixon’s Christmas bombing
    After peace talks between the United States and North Vietnam collapsed, President Nixon ordered plans drawn up for retaliatory bombings of North Vietnam, thus spawning the Christmas bombing of 1972.
  • Nixon’s Vietnamization policy

    Nixon’s Vietnamization policy
    Nixon's Vietnamization Policy was a strategy that helped reduce American involvement in the Vietnam War by transferring all responsibilities regarding the military to South Vietnam.
  • Nixon goes to China

    Nixon goes to China
    President Nixon visited 3 Chinese cities, being the first US president to do so. His visitation ended the 25 years of no communication with Beijing, and was an important step towards peace.
  • Paris Peace Accords

    Paris Peace Accords
    The Paris Peace Accords was a peace treaty signed which was officially titled the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Viet Nam.
  • Nixon Resigns

    Nixon Resigns
    President Nixon was facing almost certain impeachment and removal from office due to "abuse of power", and "obstruction of justice". He then became the first American president to resign. Afterwards, he was issued a pardon by the new President, Gerald Ford.
  • Saigon Falls

    Saigon Falls
    The Fall of Saigon was the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, by the People's Army of Vietnam and the Viet Cong. The Fall of Saigon was also marked as the end of the Vietnam war, after the amount of US army member in Vietnam had significantly decreased.