World History Timeline

Countries / Southeast Asia

History of Laos

6 notable historical events in Laos, in chronological order.

War · 3Politics · 2Dynasty · 1Treaty · 1

14th century

  1. 1353★★★★★

    Fa Ngum founds Lan Xang

    Fa Ngum unites the Lao principalities into the kingdom of Lan Xang ("Million Elephants"), the forerunner of modern Laos.

    DynastyPolitics· Laos

19th century

  1. October 1887★★★★★

    Formation of French Indochina

    France creates the Indochinese Union of Cochinchina, Annam, Tonkin and Cambodia; Laos is added in 1893.

    Politics· Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, France

20th century

  1. December 19, 1946 – 1954★★★★★

    First Indochina War

    War between the Việt Minh and France breaks out in Hanoi and lasts until the Geneva Accords of 1954.

    War· Vietnam, France, Laos, Cambodia
  2. July 21, 1954★★★★★

    Geneva Accords on Indochina

    The Geneva Conference ends the First Indochina War, temporarily partitioning Vietnam at the 17th parallel pending elections planned for 1956.

    Treaty· Vietnam, France, Laos, Cambodia, Switzerland
  3. November 1, 1955 – April 30, 1975★★★★★

    Vietnam War

    A conflict between North Vietnam and the Viet Cong on one side and South Vietnam, backed by the United States and its allies, on the other; it ends with the fall of Saigon in 1975.

    War· Vietnam, United States, Laos, Cambodia
  4. 1959★★★★★

    Ho Chi Minh trail established

    North Vietnam forms Group 559 to build a supply network through Laos and Cambodia to the South along the Trường Sơn range.

    War· Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
History of Laos · World History Timeline