Video: Oct. 8, 1972 (0:41)

(Sunday, October 8, 1972, during the Vietnam War, part of the Cold War) — At the Paris Peace Talks, North Vietnam’s negotiator, Le Duc Tho reached an agreement today with Henry Kissinger of the United States on ending the Vietnam War.

Demands were dropped for Nguyen Van Thieu to step down as president of South Vietnam, but elections would be held there within six months, North Vietnamese troops would remain in the South, and the United States would recognize the sovereignty of North Vietnam.

Kissinger envisioned signing the treaty on October 30, but Thieu’s objections led to a breakdown in the agreement.