The Vietnam War

Ho Chi Minh Declares Independence

Mar 9, 1945

Rumors of an American Invasion came up and Ho Chi Minh capitalizes and successfully spreads his movement.

The First American Death in War

Sep 26, 1945

Peter Dewey, an American was killed by the Vietnams when Viet Minh guerrillas took his life because they thought he was a French officer.

Elysee Agreement Signed

Mar 1, 1949

President Vincent Auriol of France and Bao Dai sign the Elysee Agreement and in the agreement it states that the French pledge is to help in the National Anti-Communist Army building.

Eisenhower Talks About "Domino Theory"

Apr 7, 1954

After the defeat of the French from Vietminh, Einsenhower says that after one is knocked out, it just continues.

Kennedy Was Elected President

Nov 8, 1960

Richard Nixon is defeated by John F. Kennedy for Presidency.

Ia Drang Valley Battle

Nov 14, 1965

This was the first conventional battle takes place in the Ia Drang Valley where the North Vietnese and Americans do not get along. There were casualties on both sides, but the US First Air Calvary Division used a technique if aerial attack.

Martin Luther King Speaks Out Against War

Apr 4, 1967

Martin Luther King calls out the United States for being the cause of the war and says that they are encouraging war. He also suggested the civil rights group combine with antiwar.

Battle of Hue

Feb 12, 1968

The US and South Vietnamese forces tried to recapture a site seized by Communists. This battle left the majority of the people in this area homeless.

Ho Chi Minh Passes Away

Sep 2, 1969

In Hanoi, President Ho Chi Minh of the Democratic Republic dies of a heart attack

Peace is at Hand

Oct 26, 1972

Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho come to an agreement to cease fire in Vietnam and says that "Peace is at Hand!"

Vietnam War is "Finished"

Apr 23, 1975

United States President Gerald Ford speaks out and says, "As far as the US is concerned, the Vietnam war is finished!"

Vietnam Boat People Flee

Dec 23, 1978

Huge crowds of VIetnamese refugees, try to escape to a better life but overcrowd boats. A lot of these people were also expelled from their homeland.

Vietnam Memorial

Nov 13, 1982

The Vietnam Memorial is two black granite walls forming a "V" and was designed by 22 year old Maya Ling Yin from Yale. It listed all the names of the Americans killed in the war.

Troops Leave Cambodia

Sep 13, 1989

The troops left Cambodia paving the way for UN elections in 1993, where a new constitution is formed.

US and Vietnam Exchange Ambassadors

Jul 11, 1995

Douglas "Pete" Peterson is named US envoy to the Socialst Republic of Vietnam. He was a prisoner of war for six years. H.E. Le Van Bang takes the place as the Vietnamese ambassador for the US.