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D-Day Invasion
The invasion of Normandy by Allied forces to push the Nazis out of France. The invasion starts at 6:30 a.m. on five beaches, and over the next 24 hours about 4,900 Allied soldiers are killed, many of them the instant the doors of their Higgins transport boats opened directly into German machine gun fire.(Young & Harrington, 2019) -
U.S. Drops Nuclear Bombs on Japan
The United States detonated two nuclear weapons (Fat man and little boy) over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The two bombings killed between 129,000 and 226,000 people, most of whom were civilians, and remain the only use of nuclear weapons in armed conflict. -
World War II Ends
Japan surrenders after nuclear bombings, and Germany surrenders after losing Adolf Hitler. -
NATO Founded
Soviet Union detonates its first nuclear bomb and quickly exerts its influence over Eastern Europe. It attempts to do the same in Western Europe, which the U.S. responds with the forming of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Stating that an attack on any NATO member would be considered an attack on all NATO members. -
Korean War Begins
75,000 soldiers of the North Korean People's Army crosses the 38th parallel into South Korea. In fear of the spread of communism President Truman immediately responds by starting the Korean War. -
Rosenbergs Espionage
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg (married) were convicted of espionage and sentenced to death after passing "Atomic" secrets to the Soviet Union during and after WWII -
The First Hydrogen Bomb Test
The United States successfully detonated its first hydrogen bomb, which is a second generation thermonuclear device. It was detonated in the Marshal Islands as part of Operation Ivy. These islands would later be used for an additional 67 nuclear test. -
Korean Armistice Signed
Formally ended the Korean War. North and South Korea remained separated and occupied almost the same amount of territory they had prior to the war beginning.
