July 23

This Day in History

Also on This Day

Lead Story
Miss America resigns, 1984
American Revolution
Connecticut Patriot Roger Sherman dies, 1793
Automotive
Honda produces 6 millionth Civic in North America, 2007
Civil War
Halleck takes command of the Union army, 1862
Cold War
An accord on Laos is reached, 1962
Crime
Black Bart strikes again, 1878
A string of mysterious deaths surrounds a Nebraska woman, 1918
Disaster
Legionnaires gather in Philly, 1976
General Interest
Military seizes power in Egypt, 1952
The 12th Street riot, 1967
Hollywood
Actor and two children killed on Twilight Zone set, 1982
Literary
Raymond Chandler is born, 1888
Music
Guns N' Roses make popular breakthrough with "Sweet Child O' Mine", 1988
Old West
Montana rancher Conrad Kohrs dies, 1920
Presidential
Former President Ulysses S. Grant dies, 1885
Sports
U.S. women take home gymnastics gold, 1996
Vietnam War
Taylor and Khanh have "heated" discussions in Saigon, 1964
Johnson urged to declare a state of national emergency, 1965
World War I
Austria-Hungary issues ultimatum to Serbia, 1914
World War II
Petain, leader of the Vichy government, dies, 1951

Vietnam War

Jul 23, 1965:

Johnson urged to declare a state of national emergency

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President Lyndon B. Johnson, in the course of discussions about what to do concerning the deteriorating situation in Vietnam, is told by some that he should give the American public all the facts, ask for an increase in taxes, mobilize the reserves, and declare a state of national emergency in the United States. Johnson rejected this approach, and informed his staff that he wanted any decisions implemented in a "low-key manner" in order to avoid an abrupt challenge to the communists, and to avoid undue concern and excitement in Congress and in domestic public opinion. During these discussions, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara urged the president to "expand promptly and substantially" the U.S. military presence in South Vietnam. Johnson, not wanting to "lose" Vietnam to the communists, ultimately accepted McNamara's recommendation and authorized a total of 44 U.S. battalions in South Vietnam, which led to a massive escalation of the war.

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This Week in History, Jul 23 - Jul 29

Jul 23, 1964
Taylor and Khanh have "heated" discussions in Saigon
Jul 23, 1965
Johnson urged to declare a state of national emergency
Jul 24, 1965
North Vietnam increases air defense capabilities
Jul 25, 1964
Joint Chiefs propose air strikes
Jul 25, 1969
Nixon announces new doctrine
Jul 26, 1968
South Vietnamese opposition leader tried and sentenced
Jul 26, 1972
South Vietnamese troops raise flag over Quang Tri
Jul 27, 1964
Pentagon announces 5,000 more troops to Vietnam
Jul 27, 1965
U.S. jets attack new North Vietnamese air defense sites
Jul 28, 1965
Johnson announces more troops to Vietnam
Jul 28, 1972
CIA reports minor damage done to North Vietnam's dikes
Jul 29, 1965
101st Airborne Division arrives in Vietnam
Jul 29, 1967
Fire ravages U.S. carrier off Vietnam
Jul 29, 1972
Former U.S. Attorney General visits North Vietnam

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