Vietnam War
In short
The Vietnam War was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia that concluded on 30 April 1975.
What is happening
On 11 November 2026, various media outlets are highlighting the experiences of veterans through documentaries and personal accounts. These stories focus on themes such as the Black experience in the war and the long-term psychological impact on those who served.
When
c. 1955 – 30 April 1975
Why it matters
It was a major proxy war of the Cold War and a defining postcolonial conflict. The war caused deep social and political divisions within the United States and shaped the lives of millions of soldiers and civilians.
Easy to mix up
It is often confused with the broader Indochina Wars or the specific civil war within Vietnam.