December 20

This Day in History

Also on This Day

Lead Story
Elvis Presley is drafted, 1957
American Revolution
Virginia cedes western land to federal government, 1783
Automotive
"Roger & Me" opens in U.S. theaters, 1989
Civil War
Rebels raid Union supply depot at Holly Springs, Mississippi, 1862
Cold War
Berlin Wall opened for first time, 1963
Crime
Man chased to his death in Howard Beach hate-crime, 1986
Disaster
Ferry collides with oil tanker near Manila, 1987
General Interest
French crack down on Vietnamese rebels, 1946
The U.S. invades Panama, 1989
NATO assumes peacekeeping duties in Bosnia, 1995
Hollywood
Michael Moore's Roger & Me opens, 1989
Literary
John Fletcher is baptized, 1579
Music
"Funky Drummer" is recorded, 1969
Old West
The French surrender Orleans to the U.S., 1803
Presidential
Jackson submits Indian treaty to Congress, 1836
Sports
Guy Lafleur and Steve Shutt get landmark goals in same game, 1983
Vietnam War
National Liberation Front formed, 1960
President Johnson visits Australia, Thailand, and Vietnam, 1967
World War I
First Battle of Champagne begins, 1914
World War II
Hitler to Halder: No retreat!, 1941

Vietnam War

Dec 20, 1967:

President Johnson visits Australia, Thailand, and Vietnam

Previous Day December 20 Calendar Next Day

President Lyndon B. Johnson attends a memorial service for Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt in Melbourne and then visits Vietnam, Thailand, and the Vatican. Arriving in Thailand on December 23, Johnson visited the U.S. air base at Korat, where he told the U.S. pilots there that the United States and its allies were "defeating this aggression." The president then visited U.S. combat troops in Cam Ranh, South Vietnam, and told them that the enemy "knows that he has met his master in the field." Next, Johnson flew to Rome and met with Pope Paul VI for over an hour with only interpreters present. A Vatican statement said the Pope advanced proposals toward attaining peace in Vietnam during the meeting.

Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!

Previous Day December 20 Calendar Next Day

This Week in History, Dec 20 - Dec 26

Dec 20, 1960
National Liberation Front formed
Dec 20, 1967
President Johnson visits Australia, Thailand, and Vietnam
Dec 21, 1969
Thailand announces plans to withdraw troops
Dec 21, 1972
Defense Department reports eight B-52s lost during Linebacker II
Dec 22, 1971
Soviet Union attacks Chinese policy toward Vietnam
Dec 22, 1972
Washington announces Linebacker II raids will continue
Dec 23, 1966
Francis Cardinal Spellman visits South Vietnam
Dec 23, 1972
Operation Linebacker II continues
Dec 24, 1964
Viet Cong bomb Brinks Hotel
Dec 24, 1972
Bob Hope gives his last show in Vietnam
Dec 25, 1966
Harrison Salisbury reports on damage caused by U.S. bombing
Dec 25, 1972
Linebacker II resumes after Christmas pause
Dec 26, 1967
Laos says communists launched an offensive
Dec 26, 1971
U.S. jets strike North Vietnam

Related Topics

What Happened on Your Birthday?

Pick a Date

Editor’s Picks

Bio.com

  • On This Day

    On This Day

    Read about notable birthdays and celebrity deaths at On This Day.

Shop HISTORY

See More