Category Archives: Vietnam War

Ali convicted for refusing draft, gets five years in prison 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 20 1967)


Video: 'NBC News - Muhammad Ali on not going to war'

(Tuesday, June 20, 1967; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War)Muhammad Ali, the deposed heavyweight boxing champion, was convicted by a jury tonight in Houston of violating the U.S. Selective Service laws by refusing to be drafted and was sentenced to five years in prison. Continue reading Ali convicted for refusing draft, gets five years in prison 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 20 1967)

70,000 turn out in New York to back U.S. men in Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 13 1967)


Video: 'Pro-Vietnam War Parade In New York (1967)'

(Saturday, May 13, 1967, noon EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — In a forest of American flags, more than 70,000 men, women and children, stirred by martial music and their desire to support the nation’s soldiers in Vietnam, stepped briskly down Fifth Avenue in a parade that lasted more than eight and a half hours today. Continue reading 70,000 turn out in New York to back U.S. men in Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 13 1967)

President Eisenhower welcomes South Vietnamese President Diem for state visit this hour 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 8 1957)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 2' (May 8, 1957, at 16:55)

(Wednesday, May 8, 1957, noon EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Cold War) — U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower personally received South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem today at the National Airport in Washington, D.C., as the South Vietnamese president arrived aboard Eisenhower’s plane, the Columbine III, a silver Constellation, on a state visit to the U.S. Continue reading President Eisenhower welcomes South Vietnamese President Diem for state visit this hour 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 8 1957)

Westmoreland tells Congress ‘we will prevail in Vietnam’ 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 28 1967)


Video: 'The President: April 1967. MP883.' (Apr. 28, 1967, at 27:12)

(Friday, April 28, 1967, 12:30 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Army Gen. William Westmoreland told Congress today that “backed at home by resolve, confidence, patience, determination and continued support, we will prevail in Vietnam over communist aggression.”

Never before had a military commander addressed Congress while he was directing an ongoing war.

Muhammad Ali refuses induction into U.S. Army, stripped of boxing crown 50 years ago #OTD #OnThisDay (Apr 28 1967)


Video: 'Muhammad Ali Refuses Army Induction in 1967'

(Friday, April 28, 1967; during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–1968) and during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — World heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali refused to take the oath of induction into the United States Army today after reporting as scheduled to an induction center in Houston, Texas. Continue reading Muhammad Ali refuses induction into U.S. Army, stripped of boxing crown 50 years ago #OTD #OnThisDay (Apr 28 1967)

Massive anti-Vietnam war protests held in New York and San Francisco 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 15 1967)


Video: 'Peace March. Thousands Oppose Vietnam War, April 18, 1967 (Universal Newsreel)'

(Saturday, April 15, 1967; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — An estimated 100,000 to 125,000 anti-war demonstrators marched through the streets of Manhattan today and then massed in front of the United Nations building to hear U.S. policy in Vietnam denounced in speeches by Martin Luther King, Jr., Floyd McKissick, Stokely Carmichael and Dr. Benjamin Spock. Continue reading Massive anti-Vietnam war protests held in New York and San Francisco 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 15 1967)

King denounces Vietnam War at Riverside Church 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1967)


Video: 'Eyes On The Prize - (Part 10) The Promised Land 1967–1968' (Apr. 4, 1967, at 5:17)

(Tuesday, April 4, 1967, evening 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. denounced the war in Vietnam tonight, delivering “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” one of his most dramatic and controversial speeches, before 3,000 people at Riverside Church in New York City. Continue reading King denounces Vietnam War at Riverside Church 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1967)

Clergymen ask President Johnson to halt bombing in Vietnam 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 31 1967)


Video: 'Vietnam A Television History 10, Homefront 1' (Jan. 31, 1967, at 4:59)

(Tuesday, January 31, 1967; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Protestant, Catholic and Jewish clergymen from all parts of the nation appealed to President Lyndon Johnson today to halt the bombing of North Vietnam as part of a “fresh initiative”‘ for peace negotiations.

The appeal was contained in an interfaith statement delivered to the President’s office while upwards of 2,000 ministers, priests and rabbis conducted a silent prayer vigil on the sidewalk in front of the White House.

Johnson requests tax surcharge for Vietnam War, poverty programs 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 10 1967)


Video: 'President Lyndon B. Johnson's 1967 State of the Union Address, 1/10/67. MP588.'

(Tuesday, January 10, 1967, 9:33 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, in his State of the Union address, tonight asked Congress to impose “a surcharge of 6 percent on both corporate and individual income taxes” to help pay for his “Great Society” anti-poverty programs as well as the war in Vietnam. Continue reading Johnson requests tax surcharge for Vietnam War, poverty programs 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 10 1967)

Americans launch Operation Cedar Falls to eradicate Vietnam’s ‘Iron Triangle’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 8 1967)


Video: '1983-Vietnam - A Television History - P.5 America Takes Charge (1965-1967)' (Operation Cedar Falls at 20:34-24:59)

(Sunday, January 8, 1967; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War)Operation Cedar Falls began today as 30,000 American troops, the largest number of U.S. forces committed to battle in the Vietnam War up to that time, began to drive the Viet Cong out of the “Iron Triangle” region in South Vietnam’s Binh Duong Province. Continue reading Americans launch Operation Cedar Falls to eradicate Vietnam’s ‘Iron Triangle’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 8 1967)