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Japan overthrows the French colonial rule over Vietnam out of fear of American invasion.
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Lt. Col. Peter Dewey lost his life in Saigon. He was the fisr of over 59,000 Americans to die in the conflict.
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Ho Chi Minh formally takes control of North Vietnam after the French surrender and leave the country.
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The Republic of South Vietnam becomes a separate country in opposition to Communist rule in North Vietnam
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Universal conscription for young North Vietnamese men is established in an effort to build up troops for armed conflict.
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The first American combat mission in Vietnam
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President John F. Kennedy signs the Foreign Assistance Act of 1962, providing military assistance to countries at risk of falling to Communism, including Vietnam.
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Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, authorizing President Johnson to do whatever he needed to defend Southeast Asia from Communism.
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The largest U.S. operation of the Vietnam War is launched, and fails at its mission to find a Viet Cong base.
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The Viet Cong launches large scale attacks on South Vietnames and American forces.
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The Ohio National Guard shot and killed 4 students at an anti-war protest on the Kent State University campus.
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Representatives from all groups involved in the Vietnam War sign a cease fire.
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President Nixon, a stong advocate for South Vietnam resigns following the Watergate scandal, leaving less support for the war in office.
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American troops send over 1,000 U.S. civilians and 7,000 Vietnamese refugees to America in preparation for the end of the war the following day.
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The last American soldiers leave Vietnam, and the Viet Cong take control of Vietnam.
