What occurred during the Tet Offensive in January 1968?

During the Tet Offensive in January 1968, the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces launched a coordinated series of surprise attacks on key cities and military installations throughout South Vietnam. This campaign marked a significant turning point in the Vietnam War, as it contradicted the U.S. government's optimistic claims about the war's progress and the ability of South Vietnamese forces to defend against the communist insurgency.

The timing of the offensive coincided with the Vietnamese lunar New Year (Tet), which caught U.S. and South Vietnamese forces largely off-guard. Although the offensive was ultimately a military failure for the Viet Cong, it had profound psychological impacts, shifting public opinion in the United States and increasing anti-war sentiment. The Tet Offensive highlighted the resolve of the North Vietnamese and raised questions about U.S. strategy and involvement in the war, contributing to a reevaluation of U.S. policy in Vietnam.