Category Archives: Vietnam War

Battle of Dien Bien Phu begins 60 years ago this hour (Mar 13 1954)


Video: 'War in Vietnam : Documentary on the Battle of Dien Bien Phu' (Mar. 13, 1954, at 18:36)

(Saturday, March 13, 1954, 6:15 p.m. local time; during the Cold War) — The Battle of Dien Bien Phu began today during the First Indochina War as communist forces attacked French troops, who were defeated nearly two months later. Continue reading Battle of Dien Bien Phu begins 60 years ago this hour (Mar 13 1954)

Vietnam military junta overthrown 50 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1964)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 3' (Jan. 30, 1964 at 5:53)

(Thursday, January 30, 1964, before dawn ICT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Maj. Gen. Nguyen Khanh, a 37-year-old army corps commander, became a virtual dictator of South Vietnam today in a swift, bloodless coup, replacing the military junta led by General Duong Van Minh. Continue reading Vietnam military junta overthrown 50 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1964)

President Kennedy dictates thoughts regarding Vietnam coup 50 years ago today (1963)


Video: 'PRESIDENT KENNEDY DICTATES NOTES REGARDING VIETNAM (NOVEMBER 4, 1963)'

(Monday, November 4, 1963, evening; during the 1963 South Vietnamese coup, part of the Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy reflected upon the tumultuous events that had transpired in Saigon over the previous weekend, the overthrow and murder of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother Ngo Ding Nhu.

Heavy fighting breaks out in Vietnam 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (late 1973 at 15:17)

(Sunday, November 4, 1973; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The heaviest fighting since the January 1973 signing of the Vietnam cease-fire broke out in pre-dawn darkness today as North Vietnamese troops and tanks backed by artillery and at least 20 tanks attacked a former U.S. Green Beret outpost 115 miles northeast of Saigon, military spokesman said.

South Vietnamese President Ngo Dihn Diem assassinated in military coup 50 years ago this hour (1963)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 2' (Nov. 2, 1963, at 48:16)

(Saturday, November 2, 1963, just after 6:50 a.m. ICT; during the 1963 South Vietnamese coup, part of the Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem and his younger brother Ngo Dinh Nhu were arrested and assassinated this morning after the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) had been successful in a bloody overnight siege on Gia Long Palace in Saigon. Continue reading South Vietnamese President Ngo Dihn Diem assassinated in military coup 50 years ago this hour (1963)

Diem reviews troops in Saigon 50 years ago today (1963)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 2' (Oct. 26, 1963, at 45:26)

(Saturday, October 26, 1963; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem reviewed 8,000 troops and $20 million worth of arms contributed by the U.S. for the war against Communist guerrillas today in Saigon on Vietnam’s national day, knowing that a coup against him was being planned.

JFK warns Diem regime U.S. will oppose all divisive actions 50 years ago today (1963)


Video: 'JFK PRESS CONFERENCE #61 (SEPTEMBER 12, 1963)'

(Thursday, September 12, 1963, afternoon EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy placed the Saigon Government on notice today that the United States was not in Vietnam “to see a war lost.”

Cambodia breaks ties with South Vietnam 50 years ago today (1963)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 8' (Aug. 27, 1963, at 13:02)

(Tuesday, August 27, 1963; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Cambodia, broke off diplomatic relations with South Vietnam today in indignation over repeated border incidents and over Saigon’s repression of Buddhist leaders.

Lodge meets Diem in wake of new revolt in South Vietnam 50 years ago today (1963)


Video: 'Vietnam War Documentary | 02 Dien Bien Phu | How America Lost' (Aug. 26, 1963, at 44:24)

(Monday, August 26, 1963; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Newly arrived U.S. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge met with President Ngo Dinh Diem in Saigon, South Vietnam, today, one day after a massive student revolt smashed by armed police.

Lodge arrived Aug. 22, 1963, the day after Diem cracked down on Buddhist opposition an dplaced the country under martial law.

Ambassador Lodge flies into South Vietnam 50 years ago tonight (1963)


Video: 'Vietnam War Documentary | 02 Dien Bien Phu | How America Lost' (Aug. 22, 1963, at 44:24)

(Thursday, August 22, 1963, evening; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge flew into strife-torn Saigon tonight on hurry-up orders from the U.S. government which has sharply denounced yesterday’s government crackdown on Buddhists in South Vietnam.