On March 29, 1973, the last American combat troops left Vietnam. That evening, President Nixon addressed the American people from the Oval Office declaring, “Tonight, the day we have all worked and prayed for has finally come.” He goes on to say, “For the first time in 12 years, no American military forces are in Vietnam. All of our American POWs are on their way home.”
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Vietnam War Veterans Day became an official holiday six years ago when President Donald Trump signed the The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017. However, its origins go back to a proclamation made by President Nixon on February 26, 1974. Proclamation 4270–Vietnam Veterans Day states, “As a Nation, we have acknowledged our deep respect and admiration by setting aside March 29, 1974, as Vietnam Veterans Day to remember the honorable peace America achieved came through great sacrifice.”
This National Vietnam War Veterans Day, the Richard Nixon Foundation is hosting one of the largest celebrations in the country. A new monument will be dedicated in honor of all those who served in the United States Military in the Vietnam War in a special ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary year of the signing of the Paris Peace Accords and the end of American involvement on the ground in Vietnam.