1945: Vietnam proclaims independence from France. France invades Vietnam to suppress independence.
1954: Battle of Dien Bien Phu. France suffers defeat and is expelled from Vietnam. Partition of Vietnam into a communist North Vietnam and anti-communist South Vietnam.
1965: Entry of American military in support of South Vietnam.
1973: Cease-fire agreement is reached between U.S. and North Vietnam
1975: South Vietnam is occupied by North Vietnam and Vietnam unified under a communist government.