Vietnam War dates

The Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) is established under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh

2 Sep 1945

The French are defeated at the Battle of Dien Pien Phu

7 May 1954

DRV, France, the PRC, the USSR and the United Kingdom sign the Geneva Accords, agreed to split into two halves, a communist north, and a non-communist south, along the 17th parallel as a temporary demarcation line.

21 July 1954

North Vietnam forms the National Liberation Front or otherwise pejoratively labelled the Vietcong to resist Diem's rule in the south.

20 Dec 1960

Diem is overthrown in a military coup with CIA's knowledge.

1 Nov 1963

Diem and his brother got assassinated.

2 Nov 1963

President Kennedy got assassinated. Vice President Lyndon B Johnson takes over as President.

22 Nov 1963

US Naval destroyers are attacked by North Vietnamese torpedos.

2-4 Aug 1964

The US Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin resolution which authorizes President Johnson to "take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression" by the communist government of North Vietnam.

7 Aug 1964

Johnson wins the Presidential election by a landslide

3 Nov 1964

Soviet premier Kosygin visits Hanoi and signs an agreement with the North Vietnamese to increase Soviet military aid to 148,500 tons by the years end.

Feb 1965

US commences Operation Rolling Thunder, a massive bombing campaign of North Vietnam, which lasted till 1 Nov 1968.

2 Mar 1965

President Johnson orders the increase of US forces in South Vietnam from the present 75,000 to 125,000. By the end of 1965, there are 189,000 US troops stationed in Vietnam.

28 July 1965

China begins to send its troops to North Vietnam.

July 1965

Anti-Vietnam war protesters rally to Washington in the first national demonstration against the war.

21 Oct 1967

North Vietnam launches the Tet Offensive.

Jan-Feb 1968

Johnson suspends bombings over North Vietnam and announces he isn't running for reelection.

31 Mar 1968

Richard Nixon is inaugurated as President.

20 Jan 1969

Withdrawal of US troops

June 1969

The Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam signed by S.V communist forces, N.V, S.V, US.

27 Jan 1973

The last US military unit leaves Vietnam.

29 Mar 1973

The US Congress passes the War Powers Resolution (War Powers Act) that limits the US President's ability to initiate or escalate military actions abroad

7 Nov 1963

Saigon, capital of South Vietnam, falls to North Vietnamese forces

30 Apr 1975

My Lai Massacre

Mar 1968

Self immolation of Buddhist monk to protest against Diem's repression.

May-June 1963

The US start using Agent Orange over rural Vietnam - Operation Ranch Hand

Jan 1962

Prime minister Ngo Dinh Diem of South Vietnam publicly announces his intention not to take part in the reunification elections.

16 July 1955

Diem wins a rigged referendum that voted in favour of a republic. With that, he eases the former emperor Bao Dai aside and declares himself President of the new Republic of Vietnam.

23 Oct 1955

The Communist Party of Vietnam (North Vietnam) approves the pursuit of a ‘people’s war’ in the South and proceeds to implement actions for this objective.

Jan 1959

The first batch of US ground forces - 3500 US marines enter South Vietnam

8 Mar 1965

Nixon authorises a massive bombing campaign of Cambodia, Laos and North Vietnam targeting Communist bases and sanctuaries

1969-1973

The USSR and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam signs a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation

3 Nov 1978