VIETNAM PEACE DAY
Every year on January 27th Vietnam Peace Day commemorates the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. This event ended America’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
For eight long years, the United States was involved in the Vietnam War. The U.S. entered the war in 1965. However, the conflict in Vietnam started long before then. Tensions existed between communist North Vietnam and democratic South Vietnam in the mid-1950s. During this time, America’s only provided funding and military training to South Vietnam.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy expanded the military aid program. In 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson became president. Two years later, the first American combat troops entered Vietnam. By 1966, there were 400,000 U.S. troops fighting in the Vietnam War. This number increased through the years, as did the number of people protesting the United States’ involvement. Due to backlash, President Johnson did not seek reelection. In November 1968, Richard M. Nixon became President. He promised to restore law and order and end the draft.
By the time the United States pulled out of the war in 1973, over 58,000 military members had died. About 75,000 American Vietnam vets were severely disabled. People in this country still have strong feelings about the Vietnam War. Many feel our country should not have gotten involved. This is especially true since communist North Vietnam overtook South Vietnam. The communist takeover officially ended the war in 1975. Since then, North and South Vietnam has been known as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
HOW TO OBSERVE #VietnamPeaceDay
On this day, people in our country are encouraged to study our involvement in the Vietnam War. In doing so, we can learn from past mistakes and encourage our leaders to make better choices in the present and future. Other ways to observe this day include:
- Learn more about what caused the Vietnam War.
- Watch one of the many documentaries on the Vietnam War, such as, “Winter Soldier,” “Regret to Inform,” “The Vietnam War,” “The My Lai Tapes,” and “Hearts and Minds.”
- Make plans to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
- Thank a Vietnam veteran for their service by taking them out for lunch or coffee.
Share this day on social media with #VietnamPeaceDay.
VIETNAM PEACE DAY HISTORY
On January 27th, 1973 President Nixon signed the Paris Peace Accords. This officially ended the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War. The North Vietnam accepted a ceasefire. However, the war did not officially end until 1975 after the Fall of Saigon.