Today In History: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Is Dedicated

Text... 

In honor of the men and women of the armed forces of the United States who served in the Vietnam War. The names of those who gave their lives and of those who remain missing are inscribed in the order they were taken from us. -- Inscription of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Constructed of black shiny granite in the simple shape of  a "V", the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington D.C.'s National Mall on November 13th, 1982. The wall contains the names of nearly 58,000 Americans who died in the war which lasted from November 1st, 1955 until Communist forces seized Saigon on April 30th, 1975. A major conflict in the Cold War between the United States and the former Soviet Union and their respective allies, the Vietnam War took an enormous toll on lives in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, leaving up to 3,500,000 (approximately) dead -- both civilian and military.

The Vietnam War spurred activism on university campuses across the nation and peaked in the late 1960s and early 1970s with riots and demonstrations at Kent State, Columbia University, and other institutions where students and others opposed war, the draft, communism, and excess military spending.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was designed by 21 year old Yale University architecture student Maya Lin, the daughter of Chinese immigrants. Lin chose stark simplicity in design -- a design that invited visitors to leave private offerings, memorabilia, and their thoughts and memories etched into the wall.  The names are arranged chronologically by date of death to begin and end at the center. The day it was dedicated marked the end of a week-long tribute to Americans who served in the war and marched to the site of the memorial.

The following articles are drawn from Proquest Historical Newspapers, which informs and inspires classroom teaching and learning.

• McGregor, J. (1984, Nov 09). Viet Veterans Statue Will Be Unveiled Today. The Sun (1837-) 
• Richburg, K.B. (1982, Nov 13). Vietnam Vets Come to Pay Tribute to Dead: Thousands Arrive Here to Pay Tribute to Vietnam Veterans. The Washington Post (1974-) 
• McCombs, P. (1982, Nov 14). Veterans Honor Fallen, Mark Reconciliation:  Parade, Speeches Mark Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dedication. The Washington Post (1974-) 
• Rimer, S.  Rimer (1982, Dec 06). The Memorial: A Private Place for a Multitude of Memories: Friends, Families of Vietnam Dead Bring Memories to Memorial Monday, December 6. The Washington Post (1974-) 
• Franklins, B.A.  (1984, Nov 10). Statue Completes Vietnam Memorial. New York Times (1923-) 
• Esper, G. (1992, Nov 08). Vietnam Veterans' Memorial: 'So All Those People Will Know': War: Chevron-Shaped Wall That Has Helped Heal the Wounds of a Battle That the U.S. Couldn't Win Observes Its 10th Anniversary. Los Angeles Times (1923-1995) 
• King, P.H. (2000, Apr 30). Wall's U.S. Tours Bring War's Pain, Pride Home: Vietnam: A Veteran's Visit to Washington Memorial Moved Him to Create a Traveling Replica. Los Angeles Times (1996-) 
• Stout, D. (2003, May 26). Black Granite Roll Call Is Now 58,235. New York Times (1923-) 
• Dvorak, P. (2006, Aug 04). Vietnam Wall Visitor Center Approved: Underground Facility Will Be Located Near Existing Memorial. The Washington Post (1974-) 
• Ruane, M. E. (2007, Nov 11). Vietnam Memorial Turns 25: 25 Years Later, the Wall Beckons Veterans Back; Thousands of Veterans Join in March to Mark the Anniversary of the Wall's Dedication and to Honor Those Named on It. The Washington Post (1974-) 

Tips:

• Burrows, Jennifer. Vietnam War Memorial. Chicago, IL: Britannica Digital Publishing, 2013. e-book.
• Fey, Peter. Bloody Sixteen : The USS Oriskany and Air Wing 16 during the Vietnam War. Baltimore: Project Muse, 2018.  e-book.
• Gawthorpe, Andrew. To Build as Well as Destroy : American Nation Building in South Vietnam. 1st ed. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2018. e-book.
• Gilbert, Marc Jason. The Vietnam War on Campus : Other Voices, More Distant Drums. 1st ed. Westport, Conn: Praeger, 2001.  e-book.
• Hagopian, Patrick. The Vietnam War in American Memory : Veterans, Memorials, and the Politics of Healing. 1st ed. Amherst, [Massachusetts: University of Massachusetts Press, 2009. e-book. 
• Teachers College dissertations relating to Vietnam

Images:

• The Memorial Wall at Vietnam Veterans Memorial, NARA
• Poster Image: Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Courtesy of Canva