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Vietnam War year hub

Vietnam War in 1971: Timeline, Events, Battles and People

The World History Database contains 113 Vietnam/Indochina records dated 1971. After consolidating near-identical rows that describe the same dated event, this year hub presents 100 distinct chronology entries. Frequently represented events include Pentagon Papers, Pentagon Papers Concurrence, Lam Son 719, Scandal, Massacre. Frequently represented people include Richard Milhous Nixon, Daniel Ellsberg, Neil Sheehan, Hoang Xuan Lam, Ben Bradlee.

113 database rows100 consolidated events

Key events

Pentagon Papers, Pentagon Papers Concurrence, Lam Son 719, Scandal, Massacre, Pentagon Papers Dissent, Demonstrations

People

Richard Milhous Nixon, Daniel Ellsberg, Neil Sheehan, Hoang Xuan Lam, Ben Bradlee, Katharine Graham, Ho Chi-Minh

Places

Washington, Southern Laos, New York, Ho Chi Minh Tr, United States, Saigon, Tchepone

Chronology for 1971

January 13, 1971

Pentagon Papers

For 15 days, the Times was prevented from publishing its articles by court order requested by the Nixon administration, meanwhile, Ellsberg leaks the documents to The Washington Post and 17 other newspapers. Ellsberg releases the documents to New York Times correspondent Neil Sheehan & On Sunday, June 13, 1971, the Times publishes the first of nine excerpts and commentaries on the 7,000 page collection

Daniel Ellsberg · Neil Sheehan · United States of America
Database labels: Pentagon Papers · 2 related database rows consolidated
February 8, 1971

Airborne Operations

Commands airborne forces during Operation Lam Son 719

Du Quoc Dong · Vietnam · Southern Laos
Database labels: Airborne Operations
February 8, 1971

Aviation and Artillery Support

Commands US support elements connected with Operation Lam Son 719

John Hill · United States of America · Khe Sanh
Database labels: Aviation and Artillery Support
February 8, 1971

Infantry Operations

Commands ARVN infantry forces in Operation Lam Son 719

Pham Van Phu · Vietnam · Southern Laos
Database labels: Infantry Operations
February 8, 1971

Lam Son

Commands 17,000 ARVN troops to cut off Viet Cong supply lines

Hoang Xuan Lam · Vietnam
Database labels: Lam Son
February 8, 1971

Lam Son

Launched to block the Viet Cong supply lines & prevent an invasion

Nguyen van Thieu · Vietnam
Database labels: Lam Son
February 8, 1971

Lam Son 719

Gives US air support for a south Vietnamese raid on the Ho Chi Minh trail

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America · Ho Chi Minh Tr
Database labels: Lam Son 719
February 8, 1971

Lam Son 719

Orders South Vietnamese forces into Laos to attack the Ho Chi Minh Trail

Nguyen Van Thieu · Vietnam · Southern Laos
Database labels: Lam Son 719
February 8, 1971

Lam Son 719 Command

Commands South Vietnamese marine forces during Operation Lam Son 719

Hoang Xuan Lam · Le Nguyen Khang · Vietnam · Southern Laos
Database labels: Lam Son 719 Command; Marine Operations · 2 related database rows consolidated
February 8, 1971

Lam Son 719 Command

Commands the South Vietnamese operation into Laos

Hoang Xuan Lam · Vietnam · Southern Laos
Database labels: Lam Son 719 Command
February 8, 1971

Lam Son 719 Support

Supports South Vietnamese operations in Laos without US ground troops crossing the border

Creighton Abrams · United States of America · Saigon
Database labels: Lam Son 719 Support
February 8, 1971

Lam Son 719 Support

Supports South Vietnamese operations against the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos

Creighton Abrams · United States of America · Saigon
Database labels: Lam Son 719 Support
February 8, 1971

Operation Lam Son

Commands South Vietnamese forces entering Laos during Operation Lam Son 719

Hoang Xuan Lam · Nguyen Van Thieu · Vietnam · Southern Laos
Database labels: Lam Son 719; Operation Lam Son · 3 related database rows consolidated
February 8, 1971

Operation Lam Son 719

Backs the South Vietnamese operation into Laos as a test of Vietnamization

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Lam Son 719 Policy; Operation Lam Son 719 · 2 related database rows consolidated
February 8, 1971

Operation Lam Son 719

Participates in White House planning and review of the Laos operation

Henry Kissinger · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Operation Lam Son 719
February 8, 1971

US Support Command

Commands US support forces outside Laos for Operation Lam Son 719

James Sutherland · United States of America · Khe Sanh
Database labels: US Support Command
February 10, 1971

Lam Son 719 Death

Dies when a helicopter is shot down during coverage of Lam Son 719

Larry Burrows · United States of America · Laos Border Region
Database labels: Lam Son 719 Death
February 13, 1971

Invasion of Laos

US troops support South Vietnam in their invasion of Laos. The South Vietnamese are driven out with heavy casualties

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America
Database labels: Invasion of Laos
February 1971

Lam Son 719 Response

North Vietnamese forces resist South Vietnamese operations in Laos

Vo Nguyen Giap · Vietnam · Laos
Database labels: Lam Son 719 Response
February 1971

Pentagon Papers

In February 1971, Ellsberg discussed the study with The New York Times reporter Neil Sheehan, and gave 43 of the volumes to him in March

Daniel Ellsberg · Neil Sheehan · United States of America
Database labels: Pentagon Papers · 2 related database rows consolidated
March 31, 1971

Massacre

William Calley is sentenced to life in prison, reduced to 20 yrs. Convicted by a military tribunal of killing civilians at My Lai

William Calley, Jnr · United States of America · My Lai
Database labels: Massacre; Trial · 2 related database rows consolidated
March 31, 1971

Massacre

William Calley is sentenced to life in prison, reduced to 20 yrs

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Massacre
March 1971

Capture of Tchepone

Lam captures Tchepone & destroys PAVN supply caches

Hoang Xuan Lam · Vietnam · Tchepone
Database labels: Capture of Tchepone; Lam Son; PAVN · 3 related database rows consolidated
March 1971

March Meeting with Ellsberg

Sheehan meets Ellsberg in March as the New York Times obtains access to the classified Vietnam study.

Neil Sheehan · United States of America · United States
Database labels: March Meeting with Ellsberg
March 1971

Meeting with Neil Sheehan

Ellsberg meets New York Times reporter Neil Sheehan in March after efforts to secure official disclosure fail.

Daniel Ellsberg · United States of America · United States
Database labels: Meeting with Neil Sheehan
March 1971

Receipt of Pentagon Papers Volumes

Sheehan obtains extensive Pentagon Papers material that becomes the basis for the New York Times publication project.

Neil Sheehan · United States of America · United States
Database labels: Receipt of Pentagon Papers Volumes
April 6, 1971

Massacre

Frees Lt William Calley after his conviction of killing civilians at My Lai

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Massacre
April 7, 1971

Invasion of Vietnam

Nixon announces the withdrawal of a further 100,000 troops

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America
Database labels: Invasion of Vietnam
April 7, 1971

Vietnamization

Announces on TV that "Vietnamization has succeeded"

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Vietnamization
April 23, 1971

Demonstrations

Vietnam veterans return medals & military decorations in anti war protests on Capitol

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Demonstrations
April 24, 1971

Demonstrations

200,000 people attend an anti war demonstrations in Washington DC

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Demonstrations
May 3, 1971

Demonstrations

Anti war protest in Washington DC

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Demonstrations
June 1, 1971

Operation Arc Light

The monthly sortie rate is reduced to 1,000

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America
Database labels: Operation Arc Light
June 13, 1971

Pentagon Papers

The New York Times began publishing excerpts on June 13, 1971; the first article in the series was titled "Vietnam Archive: Pentagon Study Traces Three Decades of Growing US Involvement". The study was dubbed The Pentagon Papers during the resulting media publicity. Street protests, political controversy, and lawsuits followed

Daniel Ellsberg · United States of America
Database labels: Pentagon Papers
June 13, 1971

Pentagon Papers Leak

Leaked Pentagon Papers begin appearing in the New York Times

Daniel Ellsberg · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Leak
June 13, 1971

Pentagon Papers Publication

The New York Times begins publishing the Pentagon Papers

Arthur Sulzberger · United States of America · New York
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Publication
June 13, 1971

Pentagon Papers Publication Decision

Sulzberger oversees the newspaper as the New York Times decides to publish material from the classified Pentagon Papers.

Arthur Ochs Sulzberger · United States of America · New York
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Publication Decision
June 13, 1971

Scandal

An account of the war commissioned by McNamara iitains leaked to the New York Times

Robert McNamara · United States of America
Database labels: Scandal
June 13, 1971

Scandal

The New York Times publishes security documents leaked to the press by Daniel Ellsberg

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America · New York
Database labels: Scandal
June 13, 1971

Security Documents Leaked

The New York Times publishes security documents leaked to the press by Daniel Ellsberg

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America
Database labels: Security Documents Leaked
June 13, 1971

Vietnam Archive First Installment

The New York Times begins publishing its Pentagon Papers series based on material obtained by Sheehan.

Neil Sheehan · United States of America · New York
Database labels: Vietnam Archive First Installment
June 14, 1971

Government Demand to Halt Publication

Sulzberger's newspaper receives the Nixon administration demand that further publication of the Pentagon Papers stop.

Arthur Ochs Sulzberger · United States of America · New York
Database labels: Government Demand to Halt Publication
June 15, 1971

New York Times Temporary Restraining Order

Gurfein issues a temporary restraining order stopping further New York Times publication while the Pentagon Papers case is heard.

Murray Gurfein · United States of America · New York
Database labels: New York Times Temporary Restraining Order
June 15, 1971

Pentagon Papers Response

Seeks legal action to stop publication of the Pentagon Papers

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Response
June 15, 1971

Pentagon Papers Response

Seeks to halt publication of the Pentagon Papers

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Response
June 17, 1971

Georgetown Pentagon Papers Review

Bradlee gathers reporters at his Georgetown home to review Pentagon Papers material and prepare stories for publication.

Ben Bradlee · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Georgetown Pentagon Papers Review
June 17, 1971

Pentagon Papers Copy Reaches Washington Post

Bradlee receives access to a copy of the Pentagon Papers as the Washington Post prepares its own reporting.

Ben Bradlee · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Copy Reaches Washington Post
June 17, 1971

Pentagon Papers Go-Ahead

Graham authorizes the Washington Post to publish Pentagon Papers material despite warnings about legal and financial risk.

Katharine Graham · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Go-Ahead
June 17, 1971

Pentagon Papers Legal Risk Decision

Graham accepts the risk of government legal action and supports publication of the classified study.

Katharine Graham · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Legal Risk Decision
June 17, 1971

Pentagon Papers Reporting Team

Roberts joins the Washington Post team examining the Pentagon Papers at Bradlee's home before publication.

Chalmers Roberts · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Reporting Team
June 18, 1971

Pentagon Papers

On June 18, 1971, The Washington Post began publishing its own series of articles based upon the Pentagon Papers; Ellsberg gave portions to editor Ben Bradlee

Ben Bradlee · Daniel Ellsberg · United States of America
Database labels: Pentagon Papers · 2 related database rows consolidated
June 18, 1971

Pentagon Papers Court Defense

Bradlee supports continued publication as the Washington Post defends itself against the government's effort to stop the series.

Ben Bradlee · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Court Defense
June 18, 1971

Washington Post First Pentagon Papers Edition

The Washington Post begins its Pentagon Papers series after Graham approves publication.

Katharine Graham · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Washington Post First Pentagon Papers Edition
June 18, 1971

Washington Post First Pentagon Papers Story

Roberts writes for the Washington Post edition that begins publishing Pentagon Papers material.

Chalmers Roberts · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Washington Post First Pentagon Papers Story
June 18, 1971

Washington Post Injunction Denied

Gesell refuses the government's request for an immediate injunction against further Washington Post publication.

Gerhard Gesell · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Washington Post Injunction Denied
June 18, 1971

Washington Post Injunction Hearing

Gesell hears the government's request to prevent the Washington Post from continuing its Pentagon Papers series.

Gerhard Gesell · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Washington Post Injunction Hearing
June 18, 1971

Washington Post Pentagon Papers Publication

Bradlee directs publication of the Washington Post's first Pentagon Papers stories.

Ben Bradlee · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Washington Post Pentagon Papers Publication
June 28, 1971

Pentagon Papers

Admits to delivering the Pentagon Papers to New York Times

Daniel Ellsberg · United States of America
Database labels: Pentagon Papers
June 29, 1971

Congressional Pentagon Papers Disclosure

Gravel uses a Senate subcommittee proceeding to place extensive Pentagon Papers material into a public congressional setting.

Mike Gravel · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Congressional Pentagon Papers Disclosure
June 29, 1971

Pentagon Papers Entered into Record

Gravel inserts the remaining Pentagon Papers material in his possession into the Senate subcommittee record.

Mike Gravel · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Entered into Record
June 29, 1971

Pentagon Papers Subcommittee Reading

Gravel reads portions of the Pentagon Papers during a meeting of a Senate subcommittee.

Mike Gravel · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Subcommittee Reading
June 30, 1971

Pentagon Papers

The Supreme Court ordered publication of the Times to resume freely (New York Times Co. v. United States). Although the Times did not reveal Ellsberg as their source, he went into hiding for 13 days afterwards, suspecting that the evidence would point to him as the source of the theft

Daniel Ellsberg · United States of America
Database labels: Pentagon Papers
June 30, 1971

Pentagon Papers Concurrence

White votes with the majority allowing publication while separately discussing possible criminal remedies after publication.

Byron Raymond White · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Concurrence
June 30, 1971

Pentagon Papers Concurrence

Douglas votes with the majority rejecting the government's effort to restrain publication of the Pentagon Papers.

Potter Stewart · William Orville Douglas · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Concurrence · 2 related database rows consolidated
June 30, 1971

Pentagon Papers Concurrence

Marshall votes with the majority in the Supreme Court decision permitting Pentagon Papers publication to continue.

Thurgood Marshall · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Concurrence
June 30, 1971

Pentagon Papers Concurrence

Brennan votes with the majority allowing publication to continue and writes separately on the exceptionally narrow basis for prior restraint.

William Joseph Brennan · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Concurrence
June 30, 1971

Pentagon Papers Decision

Joins the Supreme Court decision allowing publication of the Pentagon Papers

Hugo Black · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Decision
June 30, 1971

Pentagon Papers Dissent

Blackmun dissents from the Supreme Court judgment that rejects the government's request for prior restraint.

Harry Andrew Blackmun · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Dissent
June 30, 1971

Pentagon Papers Dissent

Harlan dissents from the Supreme Court judgment in the Pentagon Papers prior-restraint case.

John Marshall Harlan · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Dissent
June 30, 1971

Pentagon Papers Dissent

Burger dissents from the Supreme Court judgment allowing immediate continued publication of the Pentagon Papers.

Warren Burger · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Dissent
June 30, 1971

Prior Restraint Concurrence

Black votes with the six-justice majority allowing the New York Times and Washington Post to continue publishing the Pentagon Papers.

Hugo Black · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Prior Restraint Concurrence
June 30, 1971

Supreme Court Press Freedom Victory

Graham's newspaper prevails with the New York Times when the Supreme Court allows Pentagon Papers publication to continue.

Katharine Graham · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Supreme Court Press Freedom Victory
June 30, 1971

Supreme Court Publication Victory

Sulzberger's newspaper wins the right to continue publication after the Supreme Court rejects the government's prior-restraint case.

Arthur Ochs Sulzberger · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Supreme Court Publication Victory
June 1971

Pentagon Papers District Court Review

Gurfein presides over the federal court dispute between the government and the New York Times over prior restraint.

Murray Gurfein · United States of America · New York
Database labels: Pentagon Papers District Court Review
June 1971

Vietnam Archive Publication Preparation

Sheehan helps prepare the newspaper series that the Times labels the Vietnam Archive.

Neil Sheehan · United States of America · New York
Database labels: Vietnam Archive Publication Preparation
September 7, 1971

China Opening and Vietnam

Links the opening to China with wider strategy over Vietnam

Henry Kissinger · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: China Opening and Vietnam
October 3, 1971

South Vietnamese Election

Wins re-election after opposition candidates withdraw or are excluded

Nguyen Van Thieu · Vietnam · Saigon
Database labels: South Vietnamese Election
November 12, 1971

Invasion of Vietnam

Sets Feb 1, 1972 as the deadline for the removal of another 45,000 American troops. Nixon proclaims the end of any offensive role in Vietnam

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America
Database labels: Invasion of Vietnam
1971

Ho Chi Minh Trail Defense

Defends and manages the trail network during Lam Son 719

Dong Si Nguyen · Vietnam · Ho Chi Minh Trail
Database labels: Ho Chi Minh Trail Defense
1971

Political Command

Provides political command support for North Vietnamese resistance to Lam Son 719

Le Quang Dao · Vietnam · Southern Laos
Database labels: Political Command
1971

Regional Command

Helps direct North Vietnamese forces resisting Lam Son 719

Cao Van Khanh · Vietnam · Southern Laos
Database labels: Regional Command
1971

Trail Defense

Defends the Ho Chi Minh Trail logistics network during Lam Son 719

Dong Si Nguyen · Vietnam · Ho Chi Minh Trail
Database labels: Trail Defense
1971

Lam Son 719 Counterattack

Commands North Vietnamese resistance to Operation Lam Son 719

Le Trong Tan · Vietnam · Southern Laos
Database labels: Counterattack in Laos; Lam Son 719 Counterattack · 2 related database rows consolidated
1971

Grand Jury Refusal

Russo refuses to provide testimony sought by a federal grand jury investigating the Pentagon Papers disclosure.

Anthony Russo · United States of America · Los Angeles
Database labels: Grand Jury Refusal
1971

Indochina War Diplomacy

Supports Soviet diplomatic backing for North Vietnam as fighting continues in Indochina.

Alexei Kosygin · Russia · Moscow
Database labels: Indochina War Diplomacy
1971

Invasion of Kampuchea

The PAVN take Paksong and advance to Pakse, at the heart of the Bolovens Plateau region of Laos

Ho Chi-Minh · Vietnam
Database labels: Invasion of Kampuchea; PAVN · 2 related database rows consolidated
1971

Lam Son 719

Supports the South Vietnamese penetration of southern Laos

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America · Ho Chi Minh Tr
Database labels: Lam Son 719
1971

Lamson 719

Sent by Kissinger to Laos to assess Operation Lamson. Reports South Vietnam has been routed & had failed to destroy the Ho Chi Minh trail

Alexander Megis Haig · United States of America · Ho Chi Minh Tr
Database labels: Lamson 719
1971

Lamson 719

Leads the South Vietnemese forces which are sent into Laos

Xuan Lam Hoang · Vietnam · Ho Chi Minh Tr
Database labels: Lamson 719
1971

McCloskey Pentagon Papers Documents

Ellsberg provides Pentagon Papers documents to Representative Paul McCloskey while continuing attempts to obtain congressional disclosure.

Daniel Ellsberg · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: McCloskey Pentagon Papers Documents
1971

Peace

Senate defeats a bill co-sponsored by McGovern to bring all the GIs home by Dec 31

George McGovern · United States of America
Database labels: Peace
1971

Pentagon Papers Congressional Possession

McCloskey's possession of study documents demonstrates that Ellsberg distributed material through congressional as well as press channels.

Paul McCloskey · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Congressional Possession
1971

Pentagon Papers Editorial Review

Sheehan works with Times colleagues reviewing the classified study and preparing a major series on United States Vietnam decision-making.

Neil Sheehan · United States of America · New York
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Editorial Review
1971

Pentagon Papers Federal Charges

Federal prosecutors charge Russo in connection with the copying and disclosure of classified Pentagon Papers material.

Anthony Russo · United States of America · Los Angeles
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Federal Charges
1971

Pentagon Papers Senate Debate

McGovern remains associated with congressional efforts to challenge official Vietnam policy as the Pentagon Papers controversy develops.

George McGovern · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Senate Debate
1971

Pentagon Papers Senate Interest

Fulbright's Senate Foreign Relations Committee becomes closely associated with congressional scrutiny of Vietnam policy revealed by the Pentagon Papers.

J. William Fulbright · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Pentagon Papers Senate Interest
1971

Receives Pentagon Papers Material

McCloskey publicly acknowledges possessing Pentagon Papers documents supplied by Ellsberg.

Paul McCloskey · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Receives Pentagon Papers Material
1971

Scandal

The Supreme Court allows the publication of the Pentagon Papers to continue. Attempts to prevent further publications by researchers headed by Robert McNamara

Richard Milhous Nixon · United States of America · Washington
Database labels: Scandal
1971

Siege of Pakse

The PAVN take Paksong and advance to Pakse, at the heart of the Bolovens Plateau region of Laos

Ho Chi-Minh · Vietnam · Pakse
Database labels: Siege of Pakse
1971

Siege of Paksong

The PAVN take Paksong and advance to Pakse, at the heart of the Bolovens Plateau region of Laos

Ho Chi-Minh · Vietnam · Paksong
Database labels: Siege of Paksong

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Sources and historical verification

This authority page consolidates World History Database records into a readable chronology. The database rows are research-index entries; important claims should be checked against primary documents and specialist histories.

Provenance

This year page is generated from World History Database records for 1971. Near-identical rows sharing date and place context are consolidated for display while the original database remains unchanged. Last reviewed 2026-10-06.

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