Category Archives: Vietnam War

Siege of Khe Sanh broken 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 6 1968)


Video: 'Vietnam: The Ten Thousand Day War - Tet! [7/13]' (Apr. 6, 1968, at 38:29)

(Saturday, April 6, 1968, 1:40 p.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the Battle of Khe Sanh, part of the Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Relief forces from Operation Pegasus moved into Khe Sanh today, ending a 77-day siege. Continue reading Siege of Khe Sanh broken 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 6 1968)

LBJ stuns nation, says he won’t seek re-election 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 31 1968)


Video: 'President Johnson's Address to the Nation, 3/31/68. MP600.'

(Sunday, March 31, 1968, 9:01-9:41 p.m. EST; during the Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1968: during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — President Lyndon Johnson stunned the country tonight by announcing during a televised address on the Vietnam War from the White House that he would not seek re-election: “I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President.” Continue reading LBJ stuns nation, says he won’t seek re-election 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 31 1968)

Operation Pegasus launched to relieve Khe Sanh 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 1 1968)


Video: 'Vietnam: The Ten Thousand Day War - Tet! [7/13]' (Apr. 1, 1968, at 38:05)

(Monday, April 1, 1968, 7:00 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the Battle of Khe Sanh, part of the Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and the Cold War)Operation Pegasus, an advance by U.S. troops along Route 9 to relieve the siege of the Marine base at Khe Sanh, began today. Continue reading Operation Pegasus launched to relieve Khe Sanh 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 1 1968)

LBJ rehearses Vietnam War TV speech 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 31 1968)


Video: 'Rare Footage of President Johnson Rehearsing March 31, 1968 Speech'

(Sunday, March 31, 1968, 3:03-3:36 p.m. EST; during the Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1968; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — President Lyndon Johnson practiced tonight’s nationally televised speech about the Vietnam War in front of cameras and teleprompter this afternoon in the Oval Office at the White House. Continue reading LBJ rehearses Vietnam War TV speech 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 31 1968)

King delivers sermon at National Cathedral 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 31 1968)


Video: 'Inside Story: Who Killed Martin Luther King?' (Mar. 31, 1968, at 4:31)

(Sunday, March 31, 1968, 11 a.m. EST; during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–1968) and during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Civil Rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution” sermon today at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., discussing plans for the Poor People’s Campaign and his opposition to the Vietnam War. Continue reading King delivers sermon at National Cathedral 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 31 1968)

Jimmy Durante hosts ‘The Hollywood Palace’ 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 30 1968)


Video: 'Our World Winter 1968 Part 4' (Mar. 30, 1968, at 7:06)

(Saturday, March 30, 1968, 9:30-10:30 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — On the night before President Lyndon Johnon’s national television address on the Vietnam War, host Jimmy Durante, 75, opened tonight’s edition of The Hollywood Palace TV variety show with a rousing rendition of “Old Man Time.” Continue reading Jimmy Durante hosts ‘The Hollywood Palace’ 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 30 1968)

LBJ’s ‘wise men’ turn against Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 26 1968)


Video: 'Our World Winter 1968 Part 4' (Mar. 26, 1968, at 3:24)

(Tuesday, March 26, 1968, 1:15 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — After long supporting and encouraging President Lyndon Johnson’s conduct of the Vietnam War, a majority of his foreign policy experts, a group of elder statesmen and retired generals informally known as “the Wise Men,” informed him bluntly today at the White House that “an American military solution in Vietnam was no longer attainable” and that he should take steps to disengage the U.S. from further participation. Continue reading LBJ’s ‘wise men’ turn against Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 26 1968)

LBJ recalls Westmoreland to become Army chief 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 22 1968)

(Friday, March 22, 1968, 5:38-6:06 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — President Lyndon Johnson announced today at a news conference his intention to appoint Gen. William C. Westmoreland as Army Chief of Staff, replacing him as commander of American forces in Vietnam sometime before July 2, 1968. Continue reading LBJ recalls Westmoreland to become Army chief 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 22 1968)

LBJ asks for ‘austerity’ to win Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 18 1968)


Video: 'American Experience LBJ 2' (Mar. 18, 1968, at 1:18:32)

(Monday, March 18, 1968, 10:42 a.m. CST; during the Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1968 and the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon Johnson, speaking to delegates at the National Farmers Union Convention at the Leamington Hotel in Minneapolis, said today that the time had come for “austerity” and a “total national effort” to win the war and peace in Vietnam and solve domestic problems. Continue reading LBJ asks for ‘austerity’ to win Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 18 1968)

Anti-war protest in London turns violent 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 17 1968)


Video: 'World in Action The Demonstration 1968' (violence begins at 15:06)

(Sunday, March 17, 1968, 5:20 p.m. BST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — A peaceful march against the Vietnam War by some 10,000 people in London turned violent today as demonstrators reached Grosvenor Square near the U.S. Embassy; more than 200 people were arrested and over 80 were reported injured. Continue reading Anti-war protest in London turns violent 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 17 1968)