World History Timeline

Related events

January 2, 1963★★★★★

Battle of Ấp Bắc

A smaller Viet Cong force repels an attack by South Vietnamese troops with US advisers near Mỹ Tho.

War· Vietnam, United States
June 11, 1963★★★★★

Self-immolation of Thích Quảng Đức

Monk Thích Quảng Đức burns himself to death in Saigon in protest at the Diệm government's treatment of Buddhists; the photograph shocks the world.

ReligionPolitics· Vietnam
November 1, 1963 – November 2, 1963★★★★★

1963 South Vietnamese coup

Generals led by Dương Văn Minh overthrow President Ngô Đình Diệm, who is killed with his brother Ngô Đình Nhu the next day.

Politics· Vietnam, United States
1962 – 1971★★★★★

Operation Ranch Hand

The US Air Force sprays herbicides, including dioxin-contaminated Agent Orange, over large areas of South Vietnam, with lasting health and environmental effects.

WarDisaster· Vietnam, United States
August 2, 1964 – August 7, 1964★★★★★

Gulf of Tonkin incident

A clash between USS Maddox and North Vietnamese torpedo boats leads Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, enabling US escalation.

WarPolitics· Vietnam, United States
1965 – 1966★★★★★

Indonesian mass killings of 1965–66

After the failed 30 September Movement coup, the army and militias kill hundreds of thousands of alleged communists, paving the way for Suharto's rise.

Politics· Indonesia