The historical significance of the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, which occurred in 1964, was its role in escalating U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Following alleged attacks on U.S. naval vessels, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Lyndon B. Johnson broad authority to use military force in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war. This incident marked a pivotal turning point, as it led to increased troop deployments and intensified military actions, significantly impacting U.S. foreign policy. The consequences of this escalation reverberated throughout the 1960s and 1970s.