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The United States and Soviet Union become allies against Japan. Russains begin moving to South Korea, Japan surrenders offically ending WW2.
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British Prime Minister Winston Churchill gives his famous "Iron Curtain" speech at a college graduation in Fulton, Missouri
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In a speech later remembered as the "Truman Doctrine," President Harry S. Truman pledges American assistance to any nation in the world threatened by Communism, officially establishing the worldwide containment of Communism as a vital American national security interest. American forces begin to prepare to withdraw from Korea, hoping to leave the South as an independent state under the leadership of the pro-American conservative Dr. Syngman Rhee.
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South Korea holds its first elections. President Truman desegregates the US Armed Forces by signing Executive Order 9981. Dr. Syngman Rhee's South Korean regime proclaims itself the independent Republic of Korea, Communist North Korea, led by Kim Il Sung, proclaims itself the Democratic People's Republic of Korea,
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In a speech, Secretary of State Dean Acheson pledges that the United States will fight to defend all territory within its "defensive perimeter," North Korean leader Kim Il Sung goes to Moscow to ask Soviet leader Josef Stalin's permission to invade South Korea and begin the Korean War. Communist North Korean troops launch a full-scale invasion of the South, beginning the open military phase of the Korean War.
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Major Dale R. Buis and Master Sargeant Chester M. Ovnand become the first Americans to die in the Vietnam War during the guerilla strike at Bienhoa
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Vietcong Formed (National Liberation Front for South Vietnam)
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Operation Chopper: America's first combat missions against the Vietcong.
Operation Ranchhand: Objective to clear vegetation making it difficult for the Vietcong to ambush. US Military then Employs Agent Orange to expose roads and trails used by Vietcong forces -
Battle of Ap Bac where the Vietcong defeat the South Vietnamese Army
President Kennedy Assassinated in Dallas and Lyndon B Johnson takes over the Presidency -
General Nguyen Khanh Seizes Power in Saigon
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Over 200,000 US troops are sent to Vietnam
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The Tet Offensive: The Vietcong scores a psychological victory Battle for Hue: Mass graves found My Lai village Massacre by US troops
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April : President Nixon extends Vietnam War to Cambodia Tragedy at Ohio: National Guardsmen open fire on protesting students at Kent State University
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Pressure on Nixon increases to end the involvement of the US in Vietnam and secret peace talks are initiated. US forces apply pressure on North Vietnam by heavy bombing of Hanoi and Haiphong
Henry Kissinger is optimistic about the peace talks despite Vietnam opposition -
A cease-fire agreement is signed in Paris The end of the Draft is publicised All remaining US troops leave Vietnam Henry Kissinger wins the Nobel Peace Prize
