TIMELINE OF THE VIETNAM ERA
1950
Truman sends advisory group
1953
Eisenhower warns of ‘domino theory’
1956
First Official Death
1956
Diem refuses to hold national elections
1957
American Bandstand premieres
1957
Soviets launch Sputnik
1959
Alaska became a state
1959
First Two Americans Killed in Vietnam Conflict
1959
Hawaii became a state
1961
John F Kennedy became President
1961
Agent Orange Sprayed
1961
President Kennedy expanded American involvement in Vietnam
1962
Operation Ranch Hand Began
1962
John Glenn orbited Earth
1962
Cuban Missile Crisis
1963
“I Have A Dream” Speech
1963
Diem was assassinated
1963
President Kennedy was assassinated
1964
Col. Floyd Thompson captured
1964
Civil Rights Act signed
1964
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
1964
LT Everett Alvarez shot down
1965
Rolling Thunder bombing campaign
1965
First U.S. Ground Force Arrived
1965
Operation Starlite Began
1965
Battle of Ia Drang Valley
1965
March on Washington for peace
1966
Australia sent troops
1966
President Johnson increased troops
1968
North Vietnamese Launched Tet Offensive
1968
President Johnson Does Not Seek Reelection
1968
Dr. King assassinated
1968
Robert Kennedy assassinated
1968
Riots at Democratic National Convention
1968
Nixon elected President
1969
Troops at peak strength in Vietnam
1969
Battle of Hamburger Hill
1969
Neil Armstrong sets foot on The Moon
1969
My Lai Massacre Reaches US
1970
Senate repeals Gulf of Tonkin
1971
26th Amendment signed
1972
President Nixon orders Linebacker I
1972
President Nixon orders Linebacker II
1973
Draft comes to an end
1973
POWs return to the United States
1973
Last Combat troops leave Vietnam
1974
President Nixon resigns
1979
VVMF news conference
1979
Congress proposes legislation for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
1980
President Carter signs legislation
1981
Maya Lin wins contest
1982
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dedication
