Category Archives: 1970s

Viet Cong celebrate takeover of South Vietnam in Saigon 50 years ago today (May 7 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam The Ten Thousand Day War 12of13 Surrender' (May 7, 1975, at 44:24)

(Wednesday, May 7, 1975, during the Cold War) — On the same day that the Viet Cong celebrated its takeover of South Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, U.S. President Gerald R. Ford formally declared an end to the “Vietnam era,” ending wartime veteran’s benefits for new military recruits.

‘He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You)’ by Tony Orlando and Dawn peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago today (May 3 1975)

(Saturday, May 3, 1975) — “He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You)” by Tony Orlando and Dawn peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three consecutive weeks (May 3/10/17, 1975). Continue reading ‘He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You)’ by Tony Orlando and Dawn peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago today (May 3 1975)

‘Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance)’ by Leo Sayer peaks at #9 in USA 50 years ago today (May 3 1975)

(Saturday, May 3, 1975) — “Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance)” by Leo Sayer peaked at #9 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks, the singer’s first appearance on the chart. Continue reading ‘Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance)’ by Leo Sayer peaks at #9 in USA 50 years ago today (May 3 1975)

South Vietnam President Duong Van Minh surrenders to North Vietnamese forces 50 years ago this hour (Apr 30 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Apr. 30, 1975, at 50:04)

(Wednesday, April 30, 1975, 10:45 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — South Vietnamese President Duong Van Minh announced today the unconditional surrender of the Saigon Government and its military forces to the Vietcong. Continue reading South Vietnam President Duong Van Minh surrenders to North Vietnamese forces 50 years ago this hour (Apr 30 1975)

Last American troops depart Vietnam 50 years ago this hour (Apr 30 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam The Ten Thousand Day War 12of13 Surrender (Apr. 30, 1975, at 41:44)

(Sunday, April 30, 1975, 7:53 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — The last ten Marine security guards and their commander (Major Kean) at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, South Vietnam, were evacuated on a Marine Corps helicopter this morning, concluding the United States presence in Vietnam. Total U.S. casualties for the war: 58,303 dead and 303,644 wounded. Continue reading Last American troops depart Vietnam 50 years ago this hour (Apr 30 1975)

U.S. Ambassador Graham Martin flees Vietnam 50 years ago this hour (Apr 30 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam The Ten Thousand Day War 12of13 Surrender (Apr. 30, 1975, at 39:55)

(Sunday, April 30, 1975, 4:58 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — U.S. Ambassador Graham Martin boarded a Marine Corps helicopter this morning in Saigon and was flown to the USS Blue Ridge. Continue reading U.S. Ambassador Graham Martin flees Vietnam 50 years ago this hour (Apr 30 1975)

U.S. begins withdrawing Americans from Saigon by helicopter 50 years ago this hour (Apr 29 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam : A Television History ep.12 "End of the Tunnel, 1973-1975"' (Apr. 28, 1975, at 44:54)

(Tuesday, April 29, 1975, 2:00 p.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — U.S. President Gerald Ford ordered the emergency evacuation today of all Americans remaining in South Vietnam. Continue reading U.S. begins withdrawing Americans from Saigon by helicopter 50 years ago this hour (Apr 29 1975)

Saigon’s Tan Son Nhut airport comes under rocket fire 50 years ago this hour (Apr 29 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam : A Television History ep.12 "End of the Tunnel, 1973-1975"' (Apr. 29, 1975, at 44:37)

(Tuesday, April 29, 1975, around 4:00 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — Saigon’s Tan Son Nhut airport came under the heaviest rocket attack of the war early this morning, preventing passenger planes from taking off, as North Vietnamese troops assaulted parts of the city’s suburbs. But U.S. ambassador, Graham Martin was still reluctant to begin a full-scale helicopter evacuation. Continue reading Saigon’s Tan Son Nhut airport comes under rocket fire 50 years ago this hour (Apr 29 1975)

Minh replaces Huong as South Vietnamese president 50 years ago this hour (Apr 28 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam : A Television History ep.12 "End of the Tunnel, 1973-1975"' (Apr. 28, 1975, at 44:07)

(Monday, April 28, 1975, 5:00 p.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — General Duong Van Minh, known widely as “Big Minh,” was sworn in as president of South Vietnam today, as Communist forces moved to within barely a mile of Saigon’s city limits. Continue reading Minh replaces Huong as South Vietnamese president 50 years ago this hour (Apr 28 1975)