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Korea divided between North and South
Following Japanese surrender, Soviets maintained military presence in the North with American troops in the South. Temporary border at 38th parallel established Korea War -
North Korea invades South Korea
Whether North Koreans acted with Stalin's approval is still debated Korea War -
Chinese divisions enter fighting
With increased opposition, UN offensive stalls and then collapses. Chinese troops push UN forces back across 38th parallel and capture Southern capital of Seoul Korea War -
Armistice formally re-established the division of Korea
Formal peace treaty never signed. Over 1,000,000 Koreans and 54,000 Americans killed in conflict plus thousands who die as prisoners of war Korean War -
Dien Bien Phu Begins
The Viet Minh launches its first assault on French forces at Dien Bien Phu. The battle will rage for over two months. Vietnam War -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which gives President Lyndon Johnson the power to take whatever actions he sees necessary to defend South Vietnam against Viet Cong forces. Vietnam War -
Tet Offensive
Beginning on the Vietnamese Tet holiday, Viet Cong forces shock U.S. troops with a wave of attacks supported by North Vietnamese troops. Heavy fighting will continue for months. Ultimately, the Tet Offensive will be a catastrophe for the NLF and the Viet Cong, which lose 37,000 fighters. But it is also a serious blow for the United States, which loses 2,500 men. Public support for the war in the U.S. plummets. Vietnam War -
Vietnam War officially ends
The Vietnam War is officially over for the United States. The last U.S. combat soldier leaves Vietnam, but military advisors and some Marines remain. Over 3 million Americans have served in the war, nearly 60,000 are dead, some 150,000 are wounded, and at least 1,000 are missing in action. Vietnam War -
Saigon Falls
The North Vietnamese take Saigon; the war in Vietnam ends. Vietnam War -
Pyongyang falls to UN forces
North Korean capital now in UN control Korea War
