Category Archives: Vietnam War

LBJ convenes ‘Wise Men’ to discuss Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 2 1967)


Video: 'American Experience LBJ 2' (Nov. 2, 1967, at 1:16:39)

(Thursday, November 2, 1967, 10:42 a.m.-2:20 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson held a secret meeting today at the White House with “the Wise Men,” a group of “former officials whose advice he trusted” and asked them to suggest ways to unite the American people behind the Vietnam War. Continue reading LBJ convenes ‘Wise Men’ to discuss Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 2 1967)

Jackie Kennedy arrives in Cambodia 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 2 1967)


Video: 'November 2, 1967 - Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy arriving at Pochentong Airport, Phnom Penh'

(Thursday, November 2, 1967); during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy arrived to a thunderous welcome today in neutral Cambodia (next door to South Vietnam) at Pochentong Airport in Phnom Penh, greeted by Prince Norodom Sihanouk. Continue reading Jackie Kennedy arrives in Cambodia 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 2 1967)

Thieu sworn-in as President of South Vietnam 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 31 1967)

(Tuesday, October 31, 1967, just after 9:00 a.m. ICT); during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Van Thieu, South Vietnam’s chief of state during two years of military rule, took the oath of office today in Saigon as the first President of South Vietnam’s Second Republic (click here to watch a video report on today’s events). Continue reading Thieu sworn-in as President of South Vietnam 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 31 1967)

John McCain shot down over North Vietnam 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 26 1967)


Video: 'John McCain Combat Footage'

(Thursday, October 26, 1967; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Navy pilot John McCain III, the son of Vice Admiral John S. McCain Jr., was shot down over North Vietnam today and taken prisoner. Continue reading John McCain shot down over North Vietnam 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 26 1967)

Thousands storm Pentagon to protest Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 21 1967)


Video: 'Anti-War Demonstrators Storm Pentagon (1967)'

(Saturday, October 21, 1967, 5:40 p.m. EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — 35,000 demonstrators stormed the Pentagon tonight after a calm afternoon rally (attended by 50,000) at West Potomac Park near the Lincoln Memorial and “March on the Pentagon” in nearby Arlington, Virginia. Continue reading Thousands storm Pentagon to protest Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 21 1967)

‘Stop the Draft Week’ begins in 30 American cities 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 16 1967)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 10' (Oct. 21, 1967, at 12:01)

(Monday, October 16, 1967; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — “Stop the Draft Week” was launched today in front of the induction centers of 30 American cities, by thousands of people protesting against the Vietnam War. Continue reading ‘Stop the Draft Week’ begins in 30 American cities 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 16 1967)

Johnson urges public to press for tax increase 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 6 1967)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 10' (Oct. 6, 1967, at 16:58)

(Friday, October 6, 1967, 12:24 p.m. EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — At the height of the Vietnam War and his war on poverty at home, President Lyndon Johnson asked today for public pressure to help him get a tax increase and challenged Congress to face that unpleasant task “reasonably, not politically.” Continue reading Johnson urges public to press for tax increase 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 6 1967)

Pete Seeger censored on ‘The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour’ 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 10 1967)


Video: 'Pete Seeger - Wimoweh & Flowers Gone'

(Sunday, September 10, 1967, 9:00-10:00 p.m. EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The CBS television network censored tonight’s second season premiere of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour by editing out the performance of Pete Seeger’s antiwar song “Waist Deep in the Big Muddy”, taped Sept. 1, 1967, citing the closing verse as a direct insult at President Lyndon Johnson. Continue reading Pete Seeger censored on ‘The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour’ 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 10 1967)

Katzenbach defends U.S. actions in Vietnam 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 17 1967)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 10' (August 17, 1967, at 10:47)

(Thursday, August 17, 1967; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Under Secretary of State Nicholas Katzenbach said today that Congress had authorized President Lyndon Johnson “to use the armed forces of the United States in whatever way was necessary” when it passed the Gulf of Tonkin resolution in August 1964. Continue reading Katzenbach defends U.S. actions in Vietnam 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 17 1967)

134 servicemen killed by fire, explosions aboard USS Forrestal 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 29 1967)


Video: 'USS FORRESTAL AIRCRAFT CARRIER FIRE TRIAL BY FIRE MOVIE 1967 42704'

(Saturday, July 29, 1967, 10:51:21 a.m. local time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — An accidental rocket launch on the deck of the supercarrier USS Forrestal today in the Gulf of Tonkin resulted in a fire and explosions that killed 134 U.S. Navy sailors and officers. Continue reading 134 servicemen killed by fire, explosions aboard USS Forrestal 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 29 1967)