The French base at Dien Bien Phu is overrun by Vietnamese forces.
Launch of US Saigon Military Mission
June 1, 1954
The US Saigon Military Mission is launched to train and support South Vietnamese forces.
Geneva Accords
July 21, 1954
The Geneva Accords divide Vietnam in two at the 17th parallel, creating North and South Vietnam.
Assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem
November 2, 1963
South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem is assassinated by his own generals.
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
August 5, 1964
North Vietnamese torpedo boat attack on the U.S. destroyers Maddox and Turner Joy in the Gulf of Tonkin leads to the passage of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution by Congress.
PROVN
March 1, 1966
A Program for the Pacification and Long-Term Development of Vietnam (PROVN) is published.
Tet Offensive
January 30, 1968
North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces begin the Tet Offensive, a major coordinated attack against South Vietnam.
My Lai Massacre
March 16, 1968
U.S. Army troops kill as many as 500 unarmed villagers in the My Lai massacre.
Antiwar Demonstrations
November 15, 1969
Millions of people across the United States protest the continued U.S. involvement in Vietnam in the largest public protests in U.S. history to date.
Kent State Shootings
May 4, 1970
Members of the Ohio National Guard open fire on unarmed college students at Kent State University, killing four and wounding nine.
Paris Peace Accords
January 27, 1973
Representatives of South Vietnamese communist forces, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the United States conclude the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Viet-Nam in Paris.
Last U.S. Military Unit Leaves Vietnam
March 29, 1973
The last U.S. military unit departs from Vietnam.
Operation Frequent Wind
April 29, 1975
The emergency evacuation of Saigon, known as Operation Frequent Wind, takes place as North Vietnamese forces close in on the city.