The major event that signaled the beginning of America’s involvement in the Vietnam conflict was the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964. This episode involved an alleged attack on U.S. naval vessels by North Vietnamese forces, prompting Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which granted President Lyndon B. Johnson significant military authority. This escalation led to a substantial military commitment in Vietnam, ultimately resulting in a protracted conflict that raised profound social and political divisions within the U.S. The Vietnam War became emblematic of Cold War tensions and broader debates regarding military intervention.