This Day in History

Dec. 18, 1972: Christmas Bombing of Vietnam

Time Periods: 1961
Themes: Imperialism, US Foreign Policy, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements, World History/Global Studies
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Hanoi's Hospital | Zinn Education Project

Hanoi’s main hospital in Vietnam.

On Dec. 18, 1972, Richard Nixon initiated a massive “carpet bombing” campaign in Northern Vietnam (mainly Hanoi) that was officially called “Operation Linebacker II” and also became known as the Christmas bombing campaign. It lasted for 11 days.

More than 20,000 tons of explosives were dropped, including on civilians. As seen in the photo, Hanoi’s main hospital (Bach Mai) was hit.

Given the parallels to U.S. military actions today, we highly recommend this interview in Truthout with Greg Grandin called “Millions Died Because Kissinger Prolonged the Vietnam War for Years After Betraying Peace Treaty.”

For teachers, the Zinn Education Project offers a free downloadable guide, “Teaching the Vietnam War: Beyond the Headlines.”

Related Resources
Teaching Activities (Free)

A Revolution of Values

Teaching Activity. By Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 3 pages.
Text of speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the Vietnam War, followed by three teaching ideas.

Teaching the Vietnam War: Beyond the Headlines (Teaching Activity) | Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History
Teaching Activities (Free)

Teaching the Vietnam War: Beyond the Headlines

Teaching Activity. By the Zinn Education Project. 100 pages.
Eight lessons about the Vietnam War, Daniel Ellsberg, the Pentagon Papers, and whistleblowing.

Coretta Scott King (R) with Women Strike for Peace founder Dagmar Wilson, 1963 | Zinn Education Project
If We Knew Our History

W. E. B. Du Bois to Coretta Scott King: The Untold History of the Movement to Ban the Bomb

Article. By Vincent Intondi. If We Knew Our History Series.
Intondi states: “African American leaders have long been concerned with broad issues of peace and justice — and have especially opposed nuclear weapons. Unfortunately, this activism is left out of mainstream corporate-produced history textbooks.”

Pentagon Papers collage | Zinn Education Project
Articles

Camouflaging the Vietnam War: How Textbooks Continue to Keep the Pentagon Papers a Secret

Article. By Bill Bigelow. 2013. If We Knew Our History Series.
While new U.S. history textbooks mention the Pentagon Papers, none grapples with the actual import of the Pentagon Papers.

News

Henry Kissinger Is No Friend of Humanity

Did you see the Democratic debate last night? Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger became a point of contention. We can take this opportunity to introduce students to Kissinger. It was Kissinger who famously called anti-Vietnam War activist and whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg “the most dangerous man in America.”

Sample page from "Vietnam: An Antiwar Comic Book" by Julian Bond.
This Day in History

Oct. 28, 1964: U.S. Officials Deny Bombing North Vietnam

U.S. officials denied any involvement in the bombing of North Vietnam.

This Day in History

Nov. 14, 1965: Battle of Ia Drang

The Battle of Ia Drang began between regulars of the U.S. Army and regulars of the People’s Army of Vietnam.