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Pearl Harbor
The Japanese launched two aerial attack waves on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This attack was unexpected by the American people and ended U.S. isolationism. -
Holocaust
Adolf Hitler begins his reign in Germany. Millions of Jews and minority groups are killed within concentration camps such as Auschwitz and Dachau. -
The Battle of Midway
Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto wanted to destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet, so the Japanese planned to invade Midway Island. The U.S. Pacficic Fleet learned of the plan and launched a surprise attack, sinking four Japanese carriers. -
Italy Declares War
After Mussolini is freed, he declares himself the leader of a new government in German-occupied northern Italy. Italy then declares war on Germany. -
D-Day
160,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, and began "Operation Overlord". All of the beaches were conquered during this battle. The Allies lost 3,000 men. -
The Battle of Leyte Gulf
Four divisions of the U.S. Sixth Army attacked the Japanese at Leyte, an island of the Philippines. At the end of this battle, Japan's fleet was almost completely destroyed, giving Allied naval forces control of the Pacific. -
The Death of Hitler
Just a day after their brief wedding, Adolf and Eva Hitler committed suicide. Hitler was found with a gunshot to the right temple, and Eva had died from ingesting poison. People then began celebrating and planning to escape the Soviets, which didn't quite work out. -
Atomic Bomb
An American B-29 Superfortress dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. This attack signaled the end of World War II.
