Japanese troops occupying Indochina carry out a coup against French authorities and announce an end to the colonial era, declaring Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia independent.
Jan 1945
Ho Chi Minh declares an independent North Vietnam and models his declaration on the American Declaration of Independence of 1776 in an (unsuccessful) effort to win the support of the United States.
Sept 1945
Start of the first Indochina war- Ho Chi Minh rejects a French proposal granting Vietnam limited self-government and the Viet Minh begins a guerrilla war against the French
1946
In a speech, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower says the fall of French Indochina to communists could create a “domino” effect in Southeast Asia. This so-called domino theory guides U.S. thinking on Vietnam for the next decade.
April 1954
Battle of Dien Bien Phu- French are defeated by Vietnamese
May 1954
Diem holds his own election; breaks the Geneva accords
1955
Diem gets murdered by a US backed military coup
1963
Geneva accords are established stating that Vietnam will be united with one form of government
August 1964
Operation Rolling Thunder- US drop more bombs over Vietnam than in WWII combined
March 2 1965
Tet offensive- Viet-Minh lay siege to American military strongposts and South Vietnam cities (turning point in the war; shocked the US
Jan - Sept 1968
My Lai Massacre- lowered public support for the war in addition to the Tet offensive