This Day in History

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

Time Periods: 1961
Themes: US Foreign Policy, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements
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Julian Bond with comic book he wrote in the 1960s to teach the truth about the U.S. history in Vietnam. Photo by Ron Carver.

On Oct 28, 1964, U.S. officials denied any involvement in the bombing of North Vietnam.

This was one of many lies told by the U.S. government throughout the decades long war.

The North Vietnamese reports of the bombing were shared in the United States by activists in the Civil Rights Movement and returning soldiers in popular education resources such as:

Sample page from “Vietnam: An Antiwar Comic Book” by Julian Bond.

Find resources to teach about the Vietnam War below.

Related Resources
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.

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.

Books: Non-Fiction

Vietnam: An Antiwar Comic Book

Book — Non-fiction. By Julian Bond and illustrated by T. G. Lewis. 1967. 19 pages.
This “graphic novel” from the 1960s was written to provide a critical analysis of the Vietnam War in an easy to read format.

Howard Zinn on War
Books: Non-Fiction

Howard Zinn on War

Book — Non-fiction. By Howard Zinn. Introduction by Marilyn B. Young. 2011. 272 pages.
Essays spanning 1962 to 2006 that examine specific wars, wartime incidents, and the force of non-violence to move beyond war, if we are to survive.

This Day in History

Aug. 7, 1964: Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was passed without a single dissent in the House of Representatives, and only two no votes in the Senate, leading to increased U.S. aggression in Vietnam.

Fort Hood Three Press Conference | Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History
This Day in History

June 30, 1966: Fort Hood Three Release Public Statement on Vietnam Refusal

The Fort Hood Three issued a public statement about their refusal to be sent to Vietnam.

1967 Spring Mobilization against the War in Vietnam | Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History
This Day in History

April 15, 1967: Massive Anti-Vietnam War Demonstrations

Amidst growing opposition to the U.S. war in Vietnam, large-scale anti-war protests were held in New York, San Francisco, and many other cities.

Vietnam Veterans Against the War | ZInn Education Project
This Day in History

June 1, 1967: Vietnam Veterans Against the War Founded

The Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) was founded in New York.

This Day in History

Dec. 30, 1971: Daniel Ellsberg and Anthony Russo Jr. Indicted for Releasing the Pentagon Papers

Daniel Ellsberg and Anthony J. “Tony” Russo Jr. were indicted for releasing the Pentagon Papers, detailing the secret history of U.S. involvement in Vietnam.