Category Archives: Vietnam War

South Vietnam jails thousands of Buddhist monks, nuns 50 years ago this hour (1963)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 2' (Aug. 21, 1963, at 39:23)

(Wednesday, August 21, 1963, shortly after midnight local time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The Army of the Republic of Vietnam Special Forces, on orders of President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu, arrested thousands of monks and nuns today and vandalized Buddhist pagodas across South Vietnam in what became known as the Xa Loi Pagoda raids.

Admiral Moorer defends secret bombing of Cambodia 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 8' (Aug. 9, 1973, at 40:56)

(Thursday, August 9, 1973; during the Cambodian Civil War, part of Operation Freedom Deal, part of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Admiral Thomas Moorer, chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, told a Senate armed service committee hearing today that the 1969-1970 secret bombing in supposedly neutral Cambodia was necessary to protect American troops from North Vietnamese forces who launched attacks from Cambodian sanctuaries.

U.S. plane accidentally bombs Cambodian village, killing 137 civilians 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 8' (Aug. 6, 1973, at 41:29)

(Monday, August 6, 1973; during the Cambodian Civil War, part of Operation Freedom Deal, part of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — An American B-52 mistakenly dropped its bombs today on Neak Luong, the river town just 30 miles from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. At least 137 Cambodians were killed and another 268 were wounded.

Kissinger and Le Duc Tho sign pact ‘consolidating’ Vietnam peace 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (June 13, 1973, at 12:19)

(Wednesday, June 13, 1973; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. National Security Advisor Henry A. Kissinger signed an “amplification and consolidation” of the Vietnam peace agreement today in Paris and said it meets all major points of concern over peace violations.

The new accord, termed “satisfactory” by Kissinger, was also signed by Hanoi Politboro member Le Duc Tho and representiatives of the Saigon government and the Viet Cong’s Provisional Revolutionary Government.

Nixon hosts Vietnam POWs at White House 40 years ago this hour (1973)


Video: 'President Nixon Addresses Vietnam POWs at the White House'

(Thursday, May 24, 1973, 6:30 p.m.-2:00 a.m. EDT; during the Vietnam War) — President Richard Nixon honored some 600 former American prisoners of the Vietnam war and their guests tonight at a gala homecoming party held in a giant tent on the South Lawn of the White House. Continue reading Nixon hosts Vietnam POWs at White House 40 years ago this hour (1973)

‘Time to quit making heroes’ out of secrets thieves, Nixon says 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (May 24, 1973, at 10:23)

(Thursday, May 24, 1973; during the Watergate Scandal and the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Defending the government’s right to keep secrets in the national interest, U.S. President Richard Nixon told nearly 600 returned Vietnam prisoners of war today that it is time “to quit making national heroes out of those who steal secrets and publish them in the newspapers.” Continue reading ‘Time to quit making heroes’ out of secrets thieves, Nixon says 40 years ago today (1973)

Freed American POW captured in Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph 40 years ago today (1973)

(Monday, March 12, 1973; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Robert L. Stirm, a freed prisoner of the Vietnam War, was joyously greeted today by his family on the tarmac at Travis Air Force Base in California in a scene captured in a Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph by Slava Veder of The Associated Press.

Thieu angered by interruption at daughter’s wedding 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: Thieu wedding interrupted (at 9:27)

(Friday, January 19, 1973; during the Vietnam War) — South Vietnamese President Thieu became angry today when Ambassador Ellsworth Bunker demanded to see him just as Thieu gave his daughter away in a wedding. Bunker wanted to communicate the latest letter from U.S. President Richard Nixon pressuring Thieu to agree to a peace agreement.