Tuesday is National Vietnam War Veterans Day

Tuesday, March 29th is National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

The first presidential recognition of Vietnam Veteran's Day was by proclamation in 2012, when President Barack Obama commemorated the 50-year-anniversary of the United States' escalated involvement. It's national recognition was then made permanent through legislation signed by President Donald Trump in 2017. March 29th was chosen because the last American combat troops left the Republic of Vietnam on March 29th, 1973.

Over 2.7 million Americans served in Vietnam. 58,281 United States citizens died in the war.

The entire Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, stretched from 1955 to 1975 and is estimated to have killed between nearly 1.5 and 3.6 million people.

According to a model by the US Department of Veteran's Affairs, over six million Vietnam-era veterans are believed to be still alive.

Popular charities for Vietnam vets include Vietnam Veterans of America and Disabled American Veterans.