Daily Archives: July 7, 2014

Diem appointed prime minister of South Vietnam 60 years ago today (July 7 1954)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 2' (July 7, 1954, at 4:18)

(Wednesday, July 7, 1954; during the First Indochina War, part of the Cold War) — Two months after the French surrendered to the Viet Minh at Dien Bien Phu, Emperor Bao Dai appointed Ngo Dinh Diem today as prime minister of what would become South Vietnam, hoping he would be able to attract American aid.