Sihanouk Ousted in Cambodia:  Prince Sihanouk’s attempt to maintain Cambodia’s neutrality while war waged in neighboring Vietnam forced him to strike opportunistic alliances with China and then the United States.  Such vacillating weakened his government, leading to a coup orchestrated by his defense minister, Lon Nol.

Kent State Incident:  National Guardsmen open fire on a crowd of student antiwar protesters at Ohio’s Kent State University, resulting in the death of four students and the wounding of eight others.  President Nixon publicly deplores the actions of the Guardsmen, but cautions: “…when dissent turns to violence it invites tragedy.”  Several of the protesters had been hurling rocks and empty tear gas canisters at the Guardsmen.

Kissinger and Le Duc Begin Secret Talks

Number of US Troops Falls to 280K