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Japanese invasion of China
In 1937 Japan was on the hunt for a larger empire. The attack on China was apart of Japan's expansion and sparked the undeclared war between two to continue for a few more years. Japan's search was only the beginning for the greedy and violent war to come. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/japan_quest_empire_01.shtml
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/world-war-ii-in-the-pacific -
Germany's invasion of Poland
The definitive start of the war and the event that angered everyone was Germany's invasion of Poland. The invasion caused Britain and France to declare war two days later. With the help of the Soviet Union, Poland was defeated and shared between Germany the Soviet Union. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/world-war-ii-in-europe -
German Blitzkrieg
The blitzkrieg was an extremely intense type of military campaign used to disorganize enemies. This type of attack was effective in maintaining troop numbers and using the least amount of artillery possibly. The tactic was tried in Poland but successfully used in Belgium, Netherlands, and France. The blitzkrieg was so sophisticated that it was even adopted by a General in the United States. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii -
Fall of Paris
The German invasion of Paris was a challenging position for the U.S. They wanted to help but didn't want to formally declare war, but material aid was promised. While 2 million Parisians fled, many were left stuck. Canadian forces came to try and help, the French were excited with the small hope! In the end, America didn't remain idle, they removed important assets of the Axis Powers. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-enter-paris -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was a largely expansive invasion of the Soviet Union. Germany's invasion covered two thousand miles, from the North Cape to the Black Sea! The failure was a huge turning point for World War 2, it caused Germany to fight a war against superior resources. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
December 7th, 1941, early in the morning Japanese aircraft and bombs shook Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Leaving 2,403 fatally killed or injured, Japanese sparked the United States anger, and left the States to join World War 2. Leaving many sunken ships, destroyed homes and public places along the coast. The Hawaiian beach will never be the same.
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/world-war-ii-in-the-pacific -
Wannsee Conference
The entire conference's purpose was to find a "Final Solution" to the "Jewish question". Work camps and deportation was discussed, although never explicitly stated, it was collectively decided that the Jewish were to handled accordingly. This was the beginning of the Holocaust. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-wannsee-conference -
Battle of Stalingrad
Between the Germans and the Russians, the bloodiest and longest battle of modern warfare occurred! 2 million plus troops fought in close combat, and leaving a little more than 2 million dead including thousands of Russian civilians. Being Russia's biggest industrial city, it was a huge target. In the end, the battle turned the war in the Allied Powers favor. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
Battle of the Midway
The Battle of the Midway was a crucial naval battle! Japan was targeting the ships that survived Pearl Harbor, and the America was not having it. The U.S. was able to stop Japan's plan to ambush and permanently hurt Japan's forces. This damage and victory allowed the U.S. to take a turn in the aggressive stance for the future. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Operation Gomorrah
As a result of Germany bombing Great Britain, Britain decides to bomb back. The 2,300 tons of bombs of Germany in 1943 is known as one of the raids in Operation Gomorrah. Over 1,500 Germans were killed, with only the loss of 12 British aircraft. That was only the first raid, damaging more than Germany's top five destructible raids. Many more raids were included in Operation Gomorrah. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched -
D-Day
Also known as Operation Overlord, this devastating attack started on June 6th, 1944. American, British, and Canadian forces landed on five beaches that spread a 50 mile stretch of pure battle. Although, the real tactical advantage, besides a few reconstructed aircraft bases, is questioned even today. This day was known as the most amphibious military assault, leaving Normandy stunned. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Battle of the Bulge
Adolf Hitler attempted to split up the Allied Powers in an attack using their well known blitzkrieg in northwest Europe. After shocking the Americans, Hitler continued to push into Ardennes to secure bridgeheads. The name comes from the bulge like appearance of the Allies. Additionally, with powerful maneuvering, the Allied defense was able to neutralize Germany, but America had 100,000 causalities . https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Battle of Iwo Jima
Off of the coast of Iwo Jima the Imperial Army (Japan) and the American Marine Corps go head to head. America wanted to use the island as the perfect staging station for a larger attack against Japan. The battle lasted five weeks and ended with America gaining the questionably useful island. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Operation Thunderclap
Also known as Operation Thunderclap, the firebombing in Dresden left 135,000 dead. This number made this bombing the most destructive of the entire war, more than Hiroshima and Nagasaki! This bombing was also more questionable and terrible because the war was almost at an end, Hitler's surrender. Strategically, it wasn't needed, and was more deaths of people that wasn't needed. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/firebombing-of-dresden -
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa was the last big battle of World War 2. The Navy, U.S. Army and Marines all showed up for one last big push to Japan. The goal was to gain the Ryukyu Islands (which includes Okinawa, hence the name). In the end, before the Japanese surrendered the Nagasaki bombing was ordered, and they finally fell in and surrendered. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
Liberation of the concentration camps
The first camp established by the Nazi's is liberated! Along with the subcamp, this was the start of the saving of the Jewish! Thousands died at the camp, but many were saved. The liberation of the camps were very important because the Nazi's were found doing the terrible deeds, and did not get away with it! The truth was not hidden, and they were charged and ridiculed for their actions. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/dachau-liberated -
VE Day
Known as the Victory in Europe Day! The U.S. and Great Britain celebrate their victory over the Nazi party with banners and flags. German officially and finally stopped fighting this day, and out came the party in the many well known and popular cities of Europe! https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Potsdam Declaration
Made during the Potsdam Conference, the declaration asked for an "unconditional surrender" from Japan. They asked for this despite the allowance of Japan to keep their emperor (which was kept in secret). https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/potsdam-conference -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
A bomb on Hiroshima and one on Nagasaki. America was ready for the Japanese to surrender out of fear. The U.S.'s victory was won. 120,000 civilians were killed, most likely their deciding factor. Their official surrender to the U.S., Great Britain, and the Soviet Union was September 2nd, 1945. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/world-war-ii-in-the-pacific
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/atomic-bomb-history -
VJ Day
The Victory over Japan Day! Known to stand for the first surrender on August 14th or the official surrender on September 2nd, 1945. Soon after the Nazi surrender, things were going good for the Allies. It was the well awaited and wanted revenge for Pearl Harbor of the U.S. Being so important to America, it's stilled celebrated in a few states to this day! https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day
