The Nixon administration officially acknowledges that the CIA is maintaining a force of 30,000 'irregulars' fighting the Communist Pathet Lao in Laos. The CIA trained and equipped this force of mountain tribesman, mostly from the Hmong tribe, to fight a secret war against the Communists and to sever the Ho Chi Minh Trail into South Vietnam. According to a once top-secret report released this date by the U.S. Defense and State Departments, U.S. financial involvement in Laos had totaled $284,200,000 in 1970.
Also on This Day
- Lead Story
- Iraq invades Kuwait, 1990
- American Revolution
- Delegates sign Declaration of Independence, 1776
- Automotive
- Michael Andretti races to fast finish at Marlboro 500, 1987
- Civil War
- CSS Shenandoah learns the war is over, 1865
- Cold War
- Potsdam Conference concludes, 1945
- Crime
- Man murdered near L.A. reservoir, 1942
- Disaster
- Sudden thunderstorm causes plane crash, 1985
- General Interest
- Harding dies before scandals break, 1923
- Hitler becomes fuhrer, 1934
- Einstein urges U.S. atomic action, 1939
- Hollywood
- Freddy Krueger creator Wes Craven born, 1939
- Literary
- George Eliot begins Middlemarch, 1869
- Music
- Legendary Motown bassist James Jamerson dies, 1983
- Old West
- Wild Bill Hickok is murdered, 1876
- Presidential
- Japanese forces attack PT boat with Kennedy on board, 1943
- Sports
- Jackie Joyner-Kersee wins gold in heptathlon, again, 1992
- Vietnam War
- North Vietnamese torpedo boats attack U.S. destroyer, 1964
- Nixon administration acknowledges secret army in Laos, 1971
- World War I
- Mutiny breaks out on German battleship, 1917
- World War II
- President of the Weimar Republic Hindenburg dies, 1934
Aug 2, 1971:
Nixon administration acknowledges secret army in Laos
Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!
This Week in History, Aug 2 - Aug 8
- Aug 02, 1964
- North Vietnamese torpedo boats attack U.S. destroyer
- Aug 02, 1971
- Nixon administration acknowledges secret army in Laos
- Aug 03, 1965
- TV news shows Marines burning village
- Aug 03, 1966
- Marines launch Operation Prairie
- Aug 04, 1964
- Reported North Vietnamese PT boat attacks result in retaliation strikes
- Aug 04, 1967
- Court upholds court-martial conviction of officer who participated in demonstration
- Aug 04, 1969
- Secret negotiations are initiated in Paris
- Aug 05, 1964
- Navy flies retaliatory strikes against North Vietnam
- Aug 05, 1974
- Congress cuts military aid to South Vietnam
- Aug 06, 1964
- Johnson Administration officials argue for resolution
- Aug 06, 1969
- Green Berets are charged with murder
- Aug 06, 1971
- First U.S. Army troops deployed to Vietnam stand-down for withdrawal
- Aug 07, 1964
- Tonkin Gulf Resolution is passed
- Aug 07, 1967
- North Vietnam and People's Republic of China sign aid agreement
- Aug 08, 1968
- Nixon and Agnew receive the Republican Party nomination
- Aug 08, 1973
- Vice President Agnew under attack
- Aug 08, 1974
- Nixon announces that he will resign the Presidency
Related Topics
What Happened on Your Birthday?
Pick a DateEditor’s Picks
-
Ultimate History Quiz
Play solo or challenge your friends.
-
Memorial Day
Explore the history of America's most solemn holiday.
-
Civil War 150
Explore the people, events and technology that shaped America's bloodiest conflict.
-
History Lists: Royal Pretenders
Meet seven people who posed as monarchs.
Bio.com
-
On This Day
Read about notable birthdays and celebrity deaths at On This Day.
Shop HISTORY
-
Vietnam in HD DVD Set
Their story is in danger of being lost to history. This six-hour miniseries spans the massive initial troop build-up in 1965 to the fall of Saigon a decade later.
$24.95
Buy Now -
The American Civil War DVD Set
Experience for yourself the historical and personal impact of the Civil War.
$81.99
Buy Now -
Civil War: Rebellion to Reconstruction DVD Set
Experience the turbulent events that ignited the bloodiest, most divisive war this country has known.
$53.99
Buy Now
