Ho Chi Minh Creates Provisional Government
Following the surrender of Japan to Allied forces, Ho Chi Minh and his People's Congress create the National Liberation Committee of Vietnam to form a provisional government. Japan transfers all power to Ho's Vietminh.

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President Franklin Roosevelt Dies

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U.S. Drops Atomic Bombs on Japan
Making good on his threat to unleash "a rain of ruin the like of which has never been seen on earth," President Harry Truman authorizes the dropping of two atomic bombs on Japan -- one on Hiroshima on August 6, and a second on Nagasaki on August 9. The Japanese will surrender within days.

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Ho Declares Independence of Vietnam

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British Forces Land in Saigon, Return Authority to French

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First American Dies in Vietnam
Lt. Col. A. Peter Dewey, head of the American O.S.S. mission, is killed by Vietminh troops while driving a Jeep to the airport. Reports will later indicate that his death was due to a case of mistaken identity -- he had been mistaken for a Frenchman.

French and Vietminh Reach Accord
France recognizes Vietnam as a "free state" within the French Union. French troops replace Chinese in the North.

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ENIAC, World's First Automatic Digital Computer, Introduced

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Negotiations Between French and Vietminh Breakdown

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Indochina War Begins
Following months of steadily deteriorating relations, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam launches its first concerted attack against the French.

Vietminh Move North of Hanoi

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Jackie Robinson Signs with Brooklyn Dodgers

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Marshall Plan Announced
Speaking at Harvard commencement exercises, Secretary of State George C. Marshall lays out the details of a Truman administration plan to assist Europe in rebuilding in the aftermath of World War II.

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First Levittowns Go Up On Long Island

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Valluy Fails to Defeat Vietminh
French General Etienne Valluy attempts, and fails, to wipe out the Vietminh in one stroke.

Elysée Agreement Signed
Bao Dai and President Vincent Auriol of France sign the Elysée Agreement. The French pledge to assist in the building of a national anti-Communist army.

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NATO Formed

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George Orwell's 1984 Published

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Volkswagen Introduced in U.S.

Chinese, Soviets Offer Weapons to Vietminh

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Alger Hiss Found Guilty of Perjury

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Truman Commits U.S. Troops to Korea
When Communist forces from North Korea invade the Republic of South Korea on June 25, President Truman appeals to the United Nations to take action. The U.N. quickly brands North Korea the aggressor, and Truman immediately follows up by sending U.S. air and naval support to Korea.

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U.S. Pledges $15M to Aid French
The United States sends $15 million dollars in military aid to the French for the war in Indochina. Included in the aid package is a military mission and military advisors.

Ho Chi Minh Creates Workers' Party

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Truman Dismisses General Douglas MacArthur

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Worst Floods in U.S. History Inundate Kansas and Missouri

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"Sugar Ray" Robinson Beats Jake LaMotta for Middleweight Crown

France Grants Laos Full Independence

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Rosenbergs Executed for Espionage

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Playboy Magazine Debuts

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Vietminh Forces Push into Laos

Battle of Dienbienphu Begins
A force of 40,000 heavily armed Vietminh lay siege to the French garrison at Dienbienphu. Using Chinese artillery to shell the airstrip, the Vietminh make it impossible for French supplies to arrive by air. It soon becomes clear that the French have met their match.

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Supreme Court Rules in Brown v. Board of Education

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Eisenhower Cites "Domino Theory" Regarding Southeast Asia
Responding to the defeat of the French by the Vietminh at Dienbienphu, President Eisenhower outlines the Domino Theory: "You have a row of dominoes set up. You knock over the first one, and what will happen to the last one is the certainty that it will go over very quickly."

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Senate Condemns McCarthy for Misconduct

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French Defeated at Dienbienphu

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Geneva Meeting Begins
Delegates from nine nations convene in Geneva to start negotiations that will lead to the end of hostilities in Indochina. The idea of partitioning Vietnam is first explored at this forum.

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Geneva Agreements Announced
Vietminh General Ta Quang Buu and French General Henri Delteil sign the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities in Vietnam. As part of the agreement, a provisional demarcation line is drawn at the 17th parallel which will divide Vietnam until nationwide elections are held in 1956. The United States does not accept the agreement, and neither does the government of Bao Dai.

Diem Rejects Geneva Accords, Refuses Nationwide Elections

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China and Soviet Union Pledge Additional Financial Support to Hanoi

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Diem Urged to Negotiate with North
Britain, France, and United States covertly urge Ngo Dinh Diem to respect the Geneva accords and enter discussions with the North.

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Ford Introduces Thunderbird

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Poet Alan Ginsberg Publishes "Howl"

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Disneyland Opens in Anaheim, CA

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Diem Becomes President of Republic of Vietnam