Timeline of the Korean War

Potsdam Conference, Russians invade Manchuria and Korea, US accepts Japanese surrender, North Korean People's Army activated, U.S. withdraws from Korea, Republic of Korea founded, North Korea claims entire peninsula, Secretary of State Acheson puts Korea outside U.S. security cordon, North Korea fires on South, North Korea declares war

UN Security Council calls for ceasefire, South Korean President flees Seoul, UN Security Council pledges military help for South Korea, U.S. Air Force shoots down North Korean planes, South Korean Army blows up Han River Bridge, North Korea captures Seoul, First U.S. ground troops arrive, U.S. moves command from Suwon to Taejon, North Korea captures Incheon and Yongdungpo, North Korea defeats U.S. troops north of Osan

U.S. troops retreat to Chonan, UN Command under Douglas MacArthur, North Korea executes U.S. POWs, 3rd Battalion overrun at Chochiwon, UN headquarters moved from Taejon to Taegu, US Field Artillery Battalion overrun at Samyo, South Korean President gives ROK military command to UN, North Korean troops enter Taejon and capture Major General William Dean

Battle for Yongdong, Fortification of Jinju, South Korean General Chae killed, Massacre at No Gun Ri, General Walker orders "Stand or die," Battle for Jinju on Korea's south coast, US Medium Tank Battalion arrives at Masan

First Battle of Naktong Bulge, Massacre of U.S. POWs at Waegwan, President Rhee moves government to Busan, US victory at Naktong Bulge, Battle of the Bowling Alley, Busan Perimeter established, Landing at Incheon

UN forces breakout from Busan Perimeter, UN troops secure Gimpo Airfield, UN victory in Battle of Busan Perimeter, UN retakes Seoul, UN captures Yosu, South Korean troops cross 38th Parallel into North, General MacArthur demands North Korean surrender, North Koreans murder Americans and South Koreans at Taejon, North Koreans murder civilians in Seoul, U.S. troops push toward Pyongyang

UN takes Wonsan, Anti-communist North Koreans murdered, China enters war, Pyongyang falls to UN, Twin Tunnels Massacre, 120,000 Chinese troops move to North Korean border, UN pushes to Anju in North Korea, South Korean government executes 62 "collaborators," South Korean troops at Chinese border

China joins war, First Phase offensive, US advances to Yalu River, Battle of Chosin Reservoir, UN cease fire declared, General Walker dies and Ridgway assumes command, North Korea and China recapture Seoul, Ridgway Offensive, Battle of Twin Tunnels

Battle of Chipyong-ni, Siege of Wonsan Harbor, Operation Ripper, UN retakes Seoul, Operation Tomahawk, MacArthur relieved of command, First big airfight, First Spring Offensive, Second Spring Offensive, Operation Strangle

Battle for the Punchbowl, Truce talks at Kaesong, Battle of Heartbreak Ridge, Operation Summit, Peace talks resume, Line of demarcation set, POW lists exchanged, North Korea nixes POW exchange

Riots at Koje-do prison camp, Operation Counter, Battle for Old Baldy, North Korean power grid blacked out, Battle of Bunker Hill, Largest bombing raid on Pyongyang, Outpost Kelly siege, Operation Showdown, Battle of the Hook, Fight for Hill 851

Battle of T-bone Hill, Battle for Hill 355, First Battle of Pork Chop Hill, Operation Little Switch, Panmunjom talks, Second Battle of Pork Chop Hill, Battle of Kumsong River Salient, Armistice signed, POWs repatriated