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Golf of tonkin
This event involved reported attacks on U.S. Navy ships by North Vietnamese naval forces in the Gulf of Tonkin. The incident prompted the U.S. Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, granting President Lyndon B. Johnson broad powers to escalate U.S. involvement in Vietnam. -
Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive was a massive coordinated attack by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces against South Vietnamese cities and military installations during the Tet holiday ceasefire. Although the offensive ultimately resulted in military defeat for the Communist forces, it significantly impacted public opinion in the United States and eroded support for the war effort. -
My Lai Massacre
This involved the mass killing of unarmed Vietnamese civilians, primarily women, children, and elderly individuals, by U.S. Army soldiers in the village of My Lai. The massacre shocked the world and raised questions about the conduct of U.S. forces in Vietnam, contributing to anti-war sentiment. -
Kent State Shootings
During a protest against the Vietnam War at Kent State University in Ohio, the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed student demonstrators, killing four and injuring nine others. The incident fueled further protests and outrage across the United States, reflecting the deep divisions and unrest surrounding the war at home. -
Fall of Saigon
The Fall of Saigon marked the end of the Vietnam War, as North Vietnamese forces captured the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City). The event led to the unification of Vietnam under Communist rule and the collapse of the South Vietnamese government, signaling the defeat of U.S. efforts to prevent a Communist takeover of Vietnam.