Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Gulf of Tonkin incident
Table of Contents
References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images & Videos
North Vietnamese torpedo boat seen from the Maddox during the Gulf of Tonkin incident
What led to the Gulf of Tonkin incident in Vietnam?
the Maddox's actions on August 2, 1964
How did the Tonkin Gulf Resolution result in the escalation of the Vietnam War?
Johnson signing the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
For Students
U.S. trooops of the 7th. and 9th. divisions wade through marshland during a joint operation on South Vietnam's Mekong Delta, April 1967.
Pop Quiz: 19 Things to Know About the Vietnam War
Quizzes
Vietnam War. Operation Georgia. U.S. Marines bombing bunkers and tunnels used by the Viet Cong. May 6, 1966
The Vietnam War Quiz
Related Questions
Read Next
Vietnam War. U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson awards the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant Marty A. Hammer, during a visit to military personnel, Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam, October 26, 1966. President Johnson
Vietnam War Timeline
Close up of a hand placing a ballot in a ballot box. Election vote voter voting
Have Any U.S. Presidents Decided Not to Run For a Second Term?
Washington, D.C. locator map.
What State Is Washington, D.C. In?
The United States Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C.
14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered
Vietnam War. Fall of Saigon. Helicopter pilot radio transmissions during the United States Saigon evacuation dated: April 29, April 30, 1975. Partial text: 200 Americans left... Do not let South Viets follow too closely. Use Mace...do not fire...
40th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon
Discover
World map. Continents. Oceans. Mendel thumb ok
Just How Many Oceans Are There?
An ancient egyptian hieroglyphic painted carving showing the falcon headed god Horus seated on a throne and holding a golden fly whisk. Before him are the Pharoah Seti and the goddess Isis. Interior wall of the temple to Osiris at Abydos, Egypt.
11 Egyptian Gods and Goddesses
The Colosseum, Rome, Italy. Giant amphitheatre built in Rome under the Flavian emperors. (ancient architecture; architectural ruins)
New Seven Wonders of the World
Aphrodite. Greek mythology. Sculpture. Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love and beauty.
12 Greek Gods and Goddesses
Moonrise over Tucson, Arizona
Why Doesn’t Arizona Observe Daylight Saving Time?
Panoramic view at sunrise of moai, Ahu Tongariki, Easter Island (Rapa Nui), Chile
6 Lost Civilizations
Statue of Liberty in front of the skyline of Manhattan, New York City, New York.
Who Was the Woman Behind the Statue of Liberty?

Gulf of Tonkin incident: Facts & Related Content

verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/facts/Gulf-of-Tonkin-incident
Written and fact-checked by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Date August 2, 1964 - August 4, 1964
Location Gulf of Tonkin
Participants United States • Vietnam
Context Gulf of Tonkin Resolution • Vietnam War

Did You Know?

  • Congress repealed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution before the United States' withdrawal from Vietnam in 1973.
  • President Johnson himself apparently questioned the sailors report of an attack.
  • Declassified NSA documents show that US intelligence members concealed relevant reports from Congress to push the narrative of a second attack.

Photos and Videos

North Vietnamese torpedo boat seen from the Maddox during the Gulf of Tonkin incident
the Maddox's actions on August 2, 1964
Johnson signing the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
What led to the Gulf of Tonkin incident in Vietnam?
How did the Tonkin Gulf Resolution result in the escalation of the Vietnam War?
See All Videos and Images →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Timeline

North Vietnamese torpedo boat seen from the Maddox during the Gulf of Tonkin incident
Gulf of Tonkin incident
August 2, 1964 - August 4, 1964
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
August 5, 1964
Battle of Ia Drang
Battle of Ia Drang
November 14, 1965 - November 18, 1965
See how the North Vietnamese-backed Viet Cong launched surprise attacks across South Vietnam
Tet Offensive
January 31, 1968
My Lai Massacre
My Lai Massacre
March 16, 1968
Fall of Saigon during the Vietnam War
Fall of Saigon
March 4, 1975 - April 30, 1975

Key People

Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
president of United States
Robert S. McNamara
Robert S. McNamara
United States statesman
James Stockdale
United States admiral

Related Quizzes and Features

Quiz
U.S. trooops of the 7th. and 9th. divisions wade through marshland during a joint operation on South Vietnam's Mekong Delta, April 1967.
Pop Quiz: 19 Things to Know About the Vietnam War
Vietnam War. Operation Georgia. U.S. Marines bombing bunkers and tunnels used by the Viet Cong. May 6, 1966
The Vietnam War Quiz
List
Vietnam War. U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson awards the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant Marty A. Hammer, during a visit to military personnel, Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam, October 26, 1966. President Johnson
Vietnam War Timeline