Senator Morse Calls for Vietnam Withdrawal (1:38)
In an address before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on March 10, 1968, Sen. Wayne Morse, a vehement critic of the war in Vietnam, attacks President Lyndon Johnson's Vietnam policy after Gen. William Westmoreland requested that 200,000 more troops be sent in response to the Tet Offensive.
Speeches & Audio (20)
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Senator Morse Calls for Vietnam Withdrawal
Senator Morse Calls for Vietnam WithdrawalAudio Clip (1:38)
Audio Clip (1:38)
In an address before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on March 10, 1968, Sen. Wayne Morse, a vehement critic of the war in Vietnam, attacks President Lyndon Johnson's Vietnam policy after Gen. William Westmoreland requested that 200,000 more troops be sent in response to the Tet Offensive.
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Lyndon Johnson Expresses Doubts About Vietnam War
Lyndon Johnson Expresses Doubts About Vietnam WarAudio Clip (1:13)
Audio Clip (1:13)
Speaking to his special assistant for national security, McGeorge Bundy, in a May 27, 1964, recorded telephone conversation, President Lyndon B. Johnson expresses his worry that the war in Vietnam is turning into another Korea.
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Mario Savio on the Fight for Educational Reform
Mario Savio on the Fight for Educational ReformAudio Clip (2:48)
Audio Clip (2:48)
Mario Savio, leader of the Free Speech Movement at the University of California, Berkeley, was a frequent speaker in the spate of student demonstrations held on campus in fall 1964. In one public statement, Savio protests the university's ban of political activity on school grounds.
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Police Crackdown of Free Speech Movement Protest
Police Crackdown of Free Speech Movement ProtestAudio Clip (1:57)
Audio Clip (1:57)
On-the-scene coverage of the clash between police and student protesters at the University of California, Berkeley, captures the mayhem of the moment. On October 1, 1964, student activist Jack Weinberg was arrested for handing out leaflets on campus, an event that set off a major student uprising.
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Johnson Will Not Seek Reelection
Johnson Will Not Seek ReelectionAudio Clip (0:38)
Audio Clip (0:38)
Facing a country sharply divided over the Vietnam War, President Lyndon B. Johnson announces in a national television and radio broadcast on March 31, 1968, that he will not seek reelection to the presidency.
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NYPD Rushes Occupied Columbia Buildings
NYPD Rushes Occupied Columbia BuildingsAudio Clip (1:12)
Audio Clip (1:12)
On April 23, 1968, students protesting the construction of a gymnasium on public park land in Harlem spontaneously took over Columbia University's administrative building. An on-the-scene report describes the event as police pull protestors from the building.
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Violence Rocks 1968 Democratic Convention
Violence Rocks 1968 Democratic ConventionAudio Clip (0:17)
Audio Clip (0:17)
In reaction to violence that broke out at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley defends his city's police, blaming instead the anti-Vietnam War demonstrators for the clash.
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Ribicoff Protests "Gestapo Tactics" at 1968 Chicago Convention
Ribicoff Protests "Gestapo Tactics" at 1968 Chicago ConventionAudio Clip (1:15)
Audio Clip (1:15)
When bloody riots broke out between anti-Vietnam War protestors and Chicago police outside the 1968 Democratic National Convention, Sen. Abraham Ribicoff ditched his prepared support speech for George McGovern and instead criticized Mayor Richard Daly's handling of the situation.
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Jerry Rubin at Yippie Convention
Jerry Rubin at Yippie ConventionAudio Clip (4:49)
Audio Clip (4:49)
Jerry Rubin, founder of the Youth International Party, or Yippies, addresses his party members at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, prepping the participants for the impending clash with law enforcement.
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Chicago Seven Trial
Chicago Seven TrialAudio Clip (1:39)
Audio Clip (1:39)
During a press conference on October 14, 1969, Tom Hayden, one of the defendants in the trial of the Chicago Seven, offers his view on prosecutor Thomas Foran's most recent accusations. The Chicago Seven—Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, David Dellinger, Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, John Froines, and Lee Weiner—were charged with conspiracy and inciting to riot for their participation in the Vietnam War protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
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Nixon Orders Invasion of Cambodia
Nixon Orders Invasion of CambodiaAudio Clip (1:02)
Audio Clip (1:02)
On April 30, 1970, President Richard Nixon asks the American people to support his decision to send troops into Cambodia in response to North Vietnam’s invasion of the country.
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Nixon on Kent State Tragedy
Nixon on Kent State TragedyAudio Clip (1:57)
Audio Clip (1:57)
Richard Nixon addresses the nation on the violence that transpired at Kent State University where students died.
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Spiro Agnew Denounces Student Movement
Spiro Agnew Denounces Student MovementAudio Clip (2:12)
Audio Clip (2:12)
On October 15, 1969, millions took part in the Vietnam Moratorium, a nationwide demonstration against the war in Vietnam. Four days later, in a speech delivered in New Orleans, Vice President Spiro Agnew causes a controversy when he attacks the supporters of the moratorium.
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Spiro Agnew Attacks News Coverage
Spiro Agnew Attacks News CoverageAudio Clip (2:55)
Audio Clip (2:55)
On November 13, 1969, at the Midwestern Regional Republican Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, Vice President Spiro Agnew delivers a Pat Buchanan-penned speech that sharply criticizes the television networks' coverage of President Richard Nixon's Vietnam policy.
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George McGovern Responds to Spiro Agnew's Criticism
George McGovern Responds to Spiro Agnew's CriticismAudio Clip (1:24)
Audio Clip (1:24)
After Vice President Spiro Agnew's condemnation of Sen. George McGovern's anti-Vietnam War stance on national television, McGovern defends his position.
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Nixon Addresses "Silent Majority"
Nixon Addresses "Silent Majority"Audio Clip (1:53)
Audio Clip (1:53)
On the heels of a major nationwide protest against the Vietnam War in October 1969, President Richard Nixon delivers a speech on November 3, laying out his plans for ending the war through diplomatic negotiations and asking for the support of the "great silent majority" of Americans.
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Voting Age Lowered
Voting Age LoweredAudio Clip (0:32)
Audio Clip (0:32)
On July 5, 1971, Richard Nixon formally certified the 26th Amendment, which granted 18 year olds the right to vote. The voting age had been 21 in a majority of the states, even though 18 year olds were old enough to marry, work, and pay taxes.
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Vietnam POWs Return Home
Vietnam POWs Return HomeAudio Clip (1:07)
Audio Clip (1:07)
On February 14, 1973, 18 days after the Vietnam peace agreement was signed, the first American prisoners of war returned home from Vietnam. The first man off the plane, Capt. Jeremiah A. Denton Jr., calls for U.S. citizens to unify.
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Lyndon Johnson and Robert McNamara Plan Airstrikes in Vietnam
Lyndon Johnson and Robert McNamara Plan Airstrikes in VietnamAudio Clip (3:31)
Audio Clip (3:31)
In a recorded phone call on February 26, 1965, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and President Lyndon B. Johnson discuss possible airstrikes in Vietnam.
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Ford Offers Clemency to Draft Evaders
Ford Offers Clemency to Draft EvadersAudio Clip (1:20)
Audio Clip (1:20)
On September 16, 1974, President Gerald Ford signed a proclamation that would offer Vietnam War draft evaders the chance to earn clemency by performing alternative service for their country. In a speech to the American people, Ford defends his decision as one that's best for the nation.
Videos (22)
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Barry Romo
Barry RomoVideo Clip (3:24)
Video Clip (3:24)
Fresh out of high school, Barry Romo enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve in Vietnam. Romo was awarded a bronze star for his efforts but grew disillusioned with the war and later joined a controversial group called Vietnam Veterans Against the War.
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Tet Offensive
Tet OffensiveVideo Clip (4:53)
Video Clip (4:53)
This massive North Vietnamese surprise attack during the 1968 Tet holiday was a crucial turning point in the war.
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A Soldier's Story: Khe Sanh
A Soldier's Story: Khe SanhVideo Clip (3:06)
Video Clip (3:06)
Amid a siege that would last 77 days, medic Raymond Torres was dropped into central Vietnam.
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Joe Galloway
Joe GallowayVideo Clip (3:49)
Video Clip (3:49)
Reporter Joe Galloway covered the Vietnam War from the frontlines while embedded with the Command Unit of the 1st Cavalry Division.
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The Seawolves
The SeawolvesVideo Clip (4:56)
Video Clip (4:56)
A surprise phone call reunites two Vietnam war veterans, George Heady and Al Billings, with films of their service in the Navy Seawolves helicopter unit.
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On Patrol
On PatrolVideo Clip (4:14)
Video Clip (4:14)
In the field, many soldiers spent their time on patrol, seeking out communist forces, and avoiding lethal booby traps.
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Veteran's Home Movies
Veteran's Home MoviesVideo Clip (2:44)
Video Clip (2:44)
Find out why more veterans came home with home movies from Vietnam and how they helped give Vietnam in HD a unique perspective of the war.
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Donald Devore
Donald DevoreVideo Clip (3:22)
Video Clip (3:22)
in the summer of 1968, Donald Devore was drafted and sent off to basic training. Devore was assigned to an artillery unit in Vietnam and after four months, was granted leave to attend the birth of his first child.
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Gery Benedetti
Gery BenedettiVideo Clip (3:18)
Video Clip (3:18)
Gery Benedetti was a member of the "Brown Water River Rats," whose missions were a crucial but dangerous component of the American combat operation in Vietnam.
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Elizabeth Allen
Elizabeth AllenVideo Clip (3:11)
Video Clip (3:11)
Psychiatric nurse Elizabeth Allen volunteered for the Army and requested frontline duty in Vietnam.
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Charles Brown
Charles BrownVideo Clip (3:07)
Video Clip (3:07)
Raised in the segregated South, Charles Brown thought his best shot at a better life was to join the Army. He was stationed with the 101st Airborne Division and quickly appointed platoon sergeant, leading search and destroy missions through the jungles of Vietnam.
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Anne Purcell
Anne PurcellVideo Clip (3:57)
Video Clip (3:57)
As a military wife, Anne Purcell had already sent her husband off to war once before, in Korea. But less than six months after her husband Ben volunteered for Vietnam, he was reported "missing in action."
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Arlo Guthrie Reflects on Vietnam Era
Arlo Guthrie Reflects on Vietnam EraVideo Clip (3:19)
Video Clip (3:19)
Arlo Guthrie talks with Tom Brokaw about what he saw as a change of consciousness during the 1960s.
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Keith Connolly
Keith ConnollyVideo Clip (4:31)
Video Clip (4:31)
Air Force pilot Keith Connolly was among the first USAF units to be stationed within South Vietnam. During his second tour, he flew F-4 Phantoms targeting the Ho Chi Minh Trail and witnessed two of his men go missing after his plane had been hit.
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Bob Clewell
Bob ClewellVideo Clip (3:35)
Video Clip (3:35)
Bob Clewell dropped out of college to join the Army, and arrive in Vietnam just weeks after the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964. During his third tour, he was trained as a helicopter pilot, providing air support for ground troops during the Lam Son 719 offensive.
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Raymond Torres
Raymond TorresVideo Clip (2:52)
Video Clip (2:52)
Navy medic Raymond Torres joined the Navy to attend medical school and was assigned to a Marine Corps company. While tending to wounded Marines during the Khe Sanh battle, Torres was critically injured when a grenade exploded near him.
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Arthur Wiknik
Arthur WiknikVideo Clip (3:42)
Video Clip (3:42)
As an 18-year-old draftee, Arthur Wiknik was rushed through officer candidate's school. After one month in Vietnam he found himself in the middle of the battle of "Hamburger Hill"--one of the most notorious battles of the war.
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Karl Marlantes
Karl MarlantesVideo Clip (3:26)
Video Clip (3:26)
Marine Karl Marlantes left behind a Rhodes scholarship to volunteer for service in Vietnam.
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Search and Destroy
Search and DestroyVideo Clip (3:01)
Video Clip (3:01)
Search and Destroy missions were a crucial part of the American war strategy in Vietnam.
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A Soldier's Story: Hamburger Hill
A Soldier's Story: Hamburger HillVideo Clip (4:41)
Video Clip (4:41)
In 1969, Arthur Wiknik found himself in one of the Vietnam War's most notorious battles.
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Vietnam
VietnamVideo Clip (1:42)
Video Clip (1:42)
Whether they volunteered or were drafted, 1 out of 10 soldiers did not survive Vietnam.
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Four Students Killed at Kent State
Four Students Killed at Kent StateVideo Clip (1:04)
Video Clip (1:04)
Travel back in time to 1970 in this video clip detailing the circumstances surrounding the massacre at Kent State University.
Photo Galleries (4)
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Vietnam War
Vietnam War(14 Photos)
14 Photos
The Vietnam War lasted longer than any other war in U.S. history and cost 58,000 American lives
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Vietnam War: Leaders
Vietnam War: Leaders(15 Photos)
15 Photos
View images of the Presidents, politicians, and military leaders who influenced American involvement in the Vietnam War.
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Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson(19 Photos)
19 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson.
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Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon(18 Photos)
18 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of Richard Nixon.
Interactives (1)
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Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Infographic
Vietnam Veterans Memorial: InfographicInteractive
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