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Creation of the Ho Chi Minh Trail
A North Vietnamese Army, Group 559, developed a primitive route along the Vietnamese and Cambodian border. It helped transport supplies in the surrounding areas. -
The Vietnam War begins!
The revolution begins as Ho Chi Minh declares to unite all of the Vietnamese under his control and leadership. Ho Chi Minh's Politburo, the executive committee of the Communist Party, orders a changeover in the military struggle. -
First American Deaths in Vietnam
Maj. Dale Buis and Sgt. Chester Ovnand, the military advisors, are killed by Viet Minh guerrillas. They are the first American deaths in the Second Indochina War -
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee is founded at Shaw University, giving the blacks a place in the civil rights movement. The SNCC grows into a more radical organization that helps diminish segregation. -
The National Liberation Front
The National Liberation Front is established by Hanoi as its Communist political organization for Viet Cong guerrillas in South Vietnam. The Americans and the Government of Vietnam claimed it was a front used by the Hanoi to disguise the machinations of the Communist regime of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam against the South Vietnam's government. -
Kennedy to the rescue!
U.S. actively takes part in the war. John F. Kennedy orders help from the South Vietnamese government in the war. U.S. had new equipment and 3,000 soldiers sent to fight. -
Operation Rangeland
American helicopters fly into South Vietnam and control the aircrafts. 400 U.S. Personnel were involved. -
Operation Chopper Mission
During the Operation Chopper Mission, U.S. helicopters ferry 1,000 Vietnamese soldiers to sweep a National Liberation Front stronghold near Saigon. This was America's first combat mission against the Vietcong. -
University of Mississippi
James Meredith becomes the first black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi. Violence and riots are involved. President Kennedy sends 5,000 federal troops. -
The Brutality in Ap Bac
In Ap Bac, the Vietcong 514th Battalion and local guerrilla forces ambush the South Vietnamese Army's 7th division. The Vietcong stand against American and South Vietnamese soldiers. Almost 400 South Vietnamese are killed or wounded. Three American advisors are slain. -
Martin Luther King Jr. going to jail!
Martin Luther King is arrested and jailed during anti-segregation protests in Birmingham, Alabama. He writes "Letter from Birmingham Jail," arguing that individuals have the right to disobey unjust laws. -
"I Have a Dream"
About 200,000 people join the March on Washington. Congregating at the Lincoln Memorial. Martin Luther King addresses his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. -
Four Young Girls killed from bombing
Denise McNair, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Addie Mae Collins, who attend Sunday school, are killed when a bomb explodes at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. Riots erupt in Birmingham. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The law provides the federal government with the powers to enforce desegregation. -
Gulf of Tonkin Attack
South Vietnamese commandos attack two North Vietnamese islands in the Gulf of Tonkin. The U.S. destroyer is 123 miles south with orders to simulate an air attack that would lead the North Vietnamese boats to leave the commandos. -
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. This gives the power to take any actions President Johnson sees to defend southeast Asia. -
Bien Hoa Air Base
Vietcong mortars shell Bien Hoa Air Base near Saigon. Four Americans are killed, 76 wounded. Five B-57 bombers are destroyed, and 15 are damaged. -
U.S. helicopters attacked
A U.S. helicopter base and advisory compound in the central highlands of South Vietnam is attacked by NLF (National Liberation Front) commandos. Nine Americans are killed and more than 70 are wounded. President Johnson orders U.S. Navy fighter-bombers to attack military targets inside North Vietnam. -
Qui Nonh Hotel bombing
In the Qui Nonh Hotel, 23 American servicemen are killed by a Vietcong-place bomb. -
Rolling Thunder Begins
It is a long lasting bombing offensive. It aim is to force North Vietnam to stop supporting Vietcong guerrillas in the South. -
Malcolm X Shot to Death
Malcolm X, black nationalist and founder of the Organization of Afro-American Unity, is shot to death. The assailants, the members of the Black Muslim faith, believed Malcolm had abandoned them in favor of orthodox Islam. -
"Bloody Sunday"
Blacks begin the march to Montgomery in support of voting rights but they are stopped at the Pettus Bridge by a police blockade. This incident is considered "Bloody Sunday" by the media. -
U.S. offers peace for economic aid proposal
The U.S. offers North Vietnam economic aid in exchange for peace, but the offer is rejected. Two weeks later, President Johnson raises America's combat strength in Vietnam to more than 60,000 troops. Allied forces from Korea and Australia are added as a sign of international support. -
Vietcong Withdraw in Song Be
Two and a half thousand Vietcong troops attack Song Be, a South Vietnamese provincial capital. After two days of battle in and around the town, the Vietcong withdraw. -
Removal of Vietcong
At Dong Xai, a South Vietnamese Army district headquarters and American Special Forces camp is overrun by a full Vietcong regiment. U.S. air attacks remove the Vietcong. -
First Offensive Operation by Amerixan forces
General William Westmoreland launches the first offensive operation by American ground forces in Vietnam. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Congress passes the Voting Rights Act of 1965, making it easier for Southern blacks to register to vote. -
First major battle of Vietnam War for American troops
This is the first major battle of the Vietnam War. The United States scores a resounding victory. Ground forces, artillery from Chu Lai, ships and air support combine to kill nearly 700 Vietcong soldiers. U.S. forces sustain 45 dead and more than 200 wounded. -
66th North Vietnamese Regiment moving east
The 66th North Vietnamese Regiment move east toward Plei Mei encountering and ambushing an American battalion. When fighting ends that night, 60 percent of the Americans were casualties, and almost one of every three soldiers in the battalion had been killed. -
Launching Operation Crimp
U.S. forces launch Operation Crimp. Deploying nearly 8,000 troops, it is the largest American operation of the war. The goal of the campaign is to capture the Vietcong's headquarters for the Saigon area, which later fails to accomplish. -
Attacking American Battalions
The 272nd Regiment of the Vietcong 9th Division attack a battalion of the American 3rd Brigade at Lo Ke. Two days later, the American 1st Brigade and a battalion of the 173rd Airborne are attacked by a Vietcong regiment by artillery fire. -
Route 13
On Route 13, the linking of Vietnam to the Cambodian border, American forces are brutally assaulted by the Vietcong. The Americans were getting saved from their artilleries, but they unsuccessfully fought. -
Operation Cedar Falls
America forces begin Operation Cedar Falls, which is intended to drive Vietcong forces from the Iron Triangle, a 60 square mile area lying between the Saigon River and Route 13. About 16,000 American troops and 14,000 soldiers of the South Vietnamese Army move into the Iron Triangle. Quantities of enemies' supplies are taken. -
Operation Junction City
240 helicopters take over Tay Ninh province, which is creates the starting of Operation Junction City. The goal of Junction City is to destroy Vietcong bases and the Vietcong military headquarters for South Vietnam, all of which are located in War Zone C, north of Saigon. Junction City lasts for 72 days and it ends up being one of the largest air-mobile assaults in history. Americans successfully capture stores, equipments, and weapons. -
Loving v. Virginia Case
In the Loving v. Virginia case, the Supreme Court rules that prohibiting interracial marriage is unconstitutional. Sixteen states that banned interracial marriage are forced to revise their laws. -
Khe Sanh
A shattering barrage of shells, mortars, and rockets slam into the Marine base at Khe Sanh. Eighteen Marines are killed and 40 are wounded after this tragic. -
Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination
Martin Luther King is shot ,on the balcony, as he stands outside of his hotel room. Escaped convict James Earl Ray is convicted of the crime. -
Nixon Takes Office
President Richard M. Nixon takes office as the new President of the United States. His promise to Vietnam is to achieve "Peace With Honor." His is aim is to also withdraw the half million U.S. troops in Vietnam. -
U.S. Troops will Withdraw
President Nixon meets with South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu and addressed that 25,000 U.S. troops will be withdrawn. -
The Vietnam War ends!
The relationship between Vietnam and U.S. settles after numerous peace agreements and minor conflicts. As final, The Paris Peace Accords are signed by the U.S., North Vietnam, South Vietnam and the Viet Cong.
