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Battle of Midway
The U.S. knew the Japanese would be attacking at Midway because they cracked their codes saying where, and what day they would be attacking. The United States was ready for the "surprise" battle and defeated Japanese forces. This was a critical victory because it prevented Japan from further taking over the Pacific and it also gave the U.S. a good position to defeat Japan completely. -
Invasion of Sicily
"Operation Husky" was the codename for the Allied invasion into the island of Sicily. This was important because the Axis powers had control over Italy at this time so invading the island set up the start of the Italian Campaign and kicked the Axis powers off of Sicily. -
First Atomic Bomb
Robert Oppenheimer was the creator of the first atomic bomb and tested it on July 16 at Trinity Site in New Mexico. It created a mushroom cloud over 40,000 feet high, blew out windows of civilian homes, and created a half-mile-wide crater. -
Italian Surrender
Italy surrendered to the Allies, but Mussolini escaped and set up another government in Northern Italy. -
D-Day
160,000 Allied troops invaded the beaches of Normandy that Germany had taken over and heavily fortified. It was almost a suicide mission as the soldiers had to carry heavy equipment with them and had more than 200 yards of open beach before they reached anything that could block the gunfire. The Allies suffered 10,000 casualties, but they still managed to take over the fortress, and D-Day was the largest seaborne invasion in history. -
Port Chicago Explosion
A couple of ships preparing to transport ammunition at Port Chicago Naval Weapons Station exploded, killing 320 people. -
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Battle of the Bulge
The Germans broke through the American lines and created a bulge effect, taking over important crossroads and bridges. Everyone was terrified that America had been defeated, but they kept fighting. Reinforcements were sent and the soldiers bravely fought. Eventually, the U.S. defeated the Germans. After this battle, Germany would never be able to launch another large attack like this one, and the Battle of the Bulge became one of the greatest battles in American history. -
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Battle of Iwo Jima
This was the only battle where the U.S. suffered more casualties than the Japanese. The U.S. invaded the island of Iwo Jima and fought for 36 days to victory in winning the island. Iwo Jima's position was valuable because it was perfectly in between the U.S. and Japan, so planes could land there and refuel during battles. -
President Franklin Roosevelt's Death
In Warm Springs, Georgia, Roosevelt's favorite retreat spot, he died of a cerebral hemorrhage while posing for a portrait. Vice President, Harry Truman, took over as president. -
Hitler's Death
Leader of Nazi Germany, Adolf knew the end of the war was coming soon and recognized that he was not going to win. So, he shot himself in his bunker. There were stories that he escaped and was hiding somewhere, still alive, but dental records from the remains of the dead body match Adolf Hitler's dental records, confirming that he truly did commit suicide. -
Germany Surrenders
Germany surrendered all German military forces, ending World War II in Europe. -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima
The U.S. wanted the war to end, but even after telling Japan that not surrendering would result in mass destruction, Japan still refused. So, America dropped the "Little boy" atomic bomb on Hiroshima, killing thousands and devastating the city. -
Atomic Bomb on Nagasaki
Another atomic bomb, named "Fat Man" was dropped on Nagasaki 3 days after Hiroshima, resulting in thousands of more deaths. -
Japan Surrenders
Japan surrendered to the Allies after all the devastation at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. World War II was finally over. -
Philippines Gain Independence
The United States granted the island of the Philippines independence. -
Truman Doctrine
President Truman implemented this program promising to protect and provide assistance for nations under threat of communist takeover. -
Marshall Plan
This was Secretary of State, George Marshall's plan to provide aid for European nations who were recovering from war. -
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Berline Blockade
During the Cold War, Berlin was right in the midst of tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The USSR created a blockade on West Berlin, hoping to gain all of Berlin and defeat the Allies, but their plan did not work. The U.S. provided supplies and assistance by airlift for Berlin until the Soviets eventually removed the blockade. -
NATO
The North American Treaty Organization (NATO), was formed by America, Canada, and 10 Western European nations. It was a pact saying that if one nation was attacked, it would be considered an attack on all of them. -
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Korean War
After World War II The Soviets took over the North, while the U.S. helped the South recover. North Korea then crossed the 38th parallel line and invaded South Korea, starting a war. Many countries (including the U.S.) that were a part of the United Nations got involved and defended South Korea. After 3 years of fighting, an armistice was signed, declaring Korea to remain divided. -
DNA
Physicists Francis Crick and James Watson discovered the idea of the double helix DNA molecule and received a Nobel Prize for it.
