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Stalin takes power of the USSR
After the death of luminary Vladimir Lenin, Stalin manages to manipulate his way into control of the USSR, becoming the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. -
Mussolini takes power in Italy
Tibute to Benito Mussolini
After a telegram message was received from King Vittorio Emmanuele III, Mussolini boarded a train to Rome where he was given control over Italy. -
Japan invades Manchuria
On this day, Japanese forces attakced the Chinese army due to a dispute over a supposedly sabotaged railway. This led to the deaths of thousands of Chinese soldiers and civilians. -
Hitler takes power in Germany
Hitler is appointed the Chancellor of Germany by President Hindenburg (of Zeppelin fame). This prompted Hitler to state, "I will employ my strength for the welfare of the German people, protect the Constituion and the laws of the German people, conscientiously discharge the duties imposed on me, and conduct my affairs of office impartially and with justice to everyone" (The History Place). -
Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Presidency
Roosevelt Election
FDR was elected the 32nd President of the United States in 1933, and quickly became a popular figure thanks to his quick reforms and his fireside radio chats. He served 4 consecutive terms as President, and would remain president until his death in 1945. -
Germany sends troops into Rhineland
On this day, a number of German military armaments entered the Rhineland with the intention of remilitarizing it. -
Spanish Civil War
After a rebellion by a group of conservative generals that was led by Franceesco Franco in protest of the Government of Spain, the country erupted into civil war that lasted nearly 3 years, fianlly ending in victory for the conservative generals over the former conservative Republican government. -
Neutrality Act of 1937
An act passed in 1937 that stated supported the beliefs of isolationists that the protection of neutral rights didn't wasn't an excuse to get involved in the war. The act stated that warring nations could only trade nonmilitary goods with the US. -
FDR's Quarantine Speech
A speech closely related to the Quarantine Act
After six years of Japanese attacks on Manchuria, FDR gave a speech that declared Japan should be "quarantined" by the international community to prevent the virus that is war from spreading. -
Rape of Nanking
A six week atrocity after the Japanese capture of the Chinese city, Nanking. During this time, hundreds of thousands of Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers were killed and around 40,000 women were raped by the Japanese Army. -
Hitler annexes Austria
After several years of German pressure, Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg lost power of Austria and power was transferred to Germany. -
Munich Conference
A conference where the intent was to discuss the future of Sudentenland. It was held between Italy, Nazi Germany, Britain, and France. The agreement allowed the German annexation of the Sudentenland. -
Germany and USSR sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact
Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed an agreement of neutrality whereby both nations would remain neutral should either country be attacked by a third party. Nazi Germany upended the agreement when they invaded the USSR. -
WWII begins (war declared on Gurrmany)
The war was said to have officially began when Germany invaded Poland, at which time France and the British Empire declared war on Germany. This war would turn out to be somewhat significant in history. -
German Invasion of Poland
Nazi Germany invaded Poland where Polish forces quickly withdrew from their positions and allowed Germany to easily take over Poland, ending in the annexation of Poland by both Germany and the USSR. This event also inspired the catchy ad slogan for the VW Scirocco TDI, "From Berlin to Warsaw in one tank," as written by Sir Jeremy Clarkson. -
France surrenders to Germany
After a heavy push from German armed forces, French government officals fled to Paris, where an armistice announcing France's surrender was signed. This was a pivotal victory for the Axis Powers. -
Tripartite Act
A pact signed between Germany, Italy, and Japan which established the Axis Powers of WWII. -
Lend-Lease Act
President Roosevelt proposed a new system which would allow the lend or lease of amaments to any nation deemed necessary to the protection and defense of the US. -
Germany invades USSR
The Nazi-Soviet Act was effectively nullified when Nazi Germany invaded the USSR with an operation codenamed "Barbarossa." This invasion gained Germany Soviet land, and significantly put a dent in the Soviet army. -
The Atlantic Charter
After a meeting between Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, they agreed upon "certain common principles" on which to base a "better future for the world." It called for the "final destruction of the Nazi tyranny." -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
At 7:55am, a wave of Japanese bombers attacked the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The US lost 8 battleships, 3 crusiers, 4 other vessles, 188 airplanes and several vital shore installations. More than 2,400 sailors died (Unifinished Nation). This event caused the US to join WWII, which turned out well for Japan. -
Allies Declare War on Japan
After a stirring speech from FDR, the Senate vote 388 to 1 (I would've hated to be the one guy) to delcare war on Japan. Three days later, Germany and Italy declared war on the US. -
Germany and Italy declare war on the US.
Germany and Italy, allies of Japan due to the Tripartite Pact, declare war on the US. -
Japanese American Internment begins
Japanese Internment and You
FDR signs Executive Order 9066, which authorized the internment of Japanese Americans as a result of Japan's bombing of Pearl Harbor. Around 110,000 Japanese Americans were relocated to more Mid-Western internment camps, where they lived separated from the rest of America. -
Zoot-Suit Riots
Zoot Suit Riot song
In 1942, the Mexican and American governments agreed to a prorgram that would allow Mexican laborers (braceros) to be admitted to the US. Due to a shortage of traditional clothing materials, these migrants often wore fancy suits, known as zoot-suits. The animosity toward these migrants was unleashed in a 4 day riot where Us sailors attacked the zoot-suiters. The police were no help to the zoot-suiters.
