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Hiroshima
The United States droped the first atomic bomb ever to be used in warfare on Hiroshima. It did a massive amount of damage killing 75,000 people instantly, and injuring more than 100,000. -
World War II ends
Japan surrendered to the Allied Powers and World War II officially ended. -
First Indochina War
The Viet Minh attacked the French forces that occupied Hanoi in northern Vietnam. The First Indochina War began, it was also called the Franco-Vietnamese War. -
Vietnamese defeat the French
The Vietnamese forces took over the French command post at Dien Bien Phu and in the picture you will see the Vietnamese waving their flag over the French command post. The French commander ordered his troops to cease fire. The battle lasted 55 days and 3000 French troops were killed, not to mention the 8,000 that were wounded. -
Beginning of Vietnam War
Communists supported by North Vietnam caused conflict in South Vietnam. The conflict between the two halves of Vietnam marked the beginning of the Vietnam War. -
President John F Kennedy
President JFK ordered more help for the South Vietnamese government in its war against the Vietcong guerrillas. U.S. backing included new equipment and more than 3,000 military advisors and support personnel.American helicopters arrive at docks in South Vietnam along with 400 U.S. personnel, who will fly and maintain the aircraft. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The U.S. congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Johnson the power to take whatever actions he saw necessary to defend southeast Asia. -
China tests atomic bomb
China successfully tests an atomic bomb -
United States sends combat troops to Vietnam
Trying to stop the spread of Communism, the United States sent combat troops to Vietnam. Almost 60,000 American soldiers and many other Vietnamese soldiers died in the years to follow. This loss of lives sparked the anti-war protests all over America. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
President Johnson authorizes Operation Rolling Thunder, a limited but long lasting bombing offensive. Its aim is to force North Vietnam to stop supporting Vietcong guerrillas in the South. -
Richard M. Nixon takes office
President Richard M. Nixon takes office as the new President of the United States. With regard to Vietnam, he promised to achieve "Peace With Honor." His aim was to negotiate a settlement that would allow the half million U.S. troops in Vietnam to be withdrawn, while still allowing South Vietnam to survive. -
Peace Treaty
In response to anti-war feelings, the U.S. signs a peace accord with North Vietnam. American troops leave Vietnam. -
Nixon Resigns
President Richard M. Nixon resigns, leaving South Vietnam without its strongest advocate. -
South Vietnam surrenders
South Vietnam surrenders to Communist North Vietnam. North and South Vietnam are united in 1976 under Communist leadership. -
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C. It is a wall of polished black granite engraved with the names of all the soldiers who died in the Vietnam War or are missing.
