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World War II
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Black Tuesday
Stock Market CrashThe New York Stock Market crashes which launches the nation into the Great Depression. -
The 32nd President of the United States of America
After defeating Herbert Hoover in the 1932 presidential election, Franklin Delano Roosevelt is sworn in as the 32nd President of the United States of America. His vice president, Henry Wallace is sworn in the same day. -
The New Deal
FDR launches the New Deal, his 3-step program to bring America out of the depression. The three steps involved are relief (especially government jobs for the unemployed), recovery (of the economy), and reform (by which he meant regulation of Wall Street, banks and transportation). -
President Roosevelt's Second Term
After defeating Alf Landon in the presidential election of 1936, FDR is sworn in again for his second term. -
Germany invades Poland
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France and Great Britain declare war on Germany
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America Aids France & Britain in War/Ends Trade with Japan
The United States proclaims a limited emergency and authorizes increases in the size of the Regular Army and the National Guard. Congress also agrees to modify the Neutrality Act to permit munitions sales to France and Britain. In addition, after news of Japan invading Manchuria reaches the United States, Roosevelt responds by ending American trade with Japan. -
The Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain between Britain and Germany began on this day. This battle was unique as it was fought entirely in the air. Britain fought using its Royal Air Force, and Germany its Luftwaffe. Considered to be one of Hitler's largest mistakes, it was a turning point in the war as Germany did not defeat Britain, proving the RAF to be the superior air force. -
President Roosevelt's Third Term
After the victorious election of 1940 against Wendell Willkie, FDR is sworn in for a third term (the only president in American history to have received this honour). -
The Lend Lease Act
The Lend Lease Act was put into place by President Roosevelt. This program supplied the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, China, France and other Allied nations with vast amounts of war material throughout the remainder of World War II. By the end of the war, the United States had shipped a total of $50.1 billion worth of war materials to their allied nations. -
Operation Barbarossa Commences
Nazi Germany and the other Axis powers invade the Soviet Union with a total of 4.5 million troops. The battle lasts until December 5, 1941, leaving Germany defeated. Operation Barbarossa was the largest military operation in human history in both manpower and casualties. This event is considered to be one of Hitler's biggest mistakes. Had he not invaded the Soviet Union when he did, Germany could have defeated Britain, which would have altered World War II drastically. -
Pearl Harbour
Japanese forces attack the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack began at 7:48 a.m. Admiral Yamamoto of Japan was the designer of this attack. His plan was to cripple the American fleet for about eighteen months by demolishing certain parts of the base and leaving the U.S without their powerful ships and aircrafts. Unfortunately, this did not work and the United States recovered in less than a year. -
Pearl Harbour Continued
Despite the nations’ rapid revival, there were over 4,000 casualties due to the attack on Pearl Harbour. The loss of battleships and aircrafts were also great. There were 5 battleships, 3 destroyers, 3 cruisers, and 188 planes destroyed. One of the most famous battleships lost at Pearl Harbour was the U.S.S. Arizona which sunk to the bottom of the water. This event is what sparked America's change from an isolationist nation to an intervening one. -
Declaration of War
FDR's Infamy SpeechThe United States declares war on Japan and Germany. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous Infamy Speech is also delivered on this day at 12:30pm. -
Germany and Italy Declare War on The United States.
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The Battle of the Midway
The Battle of the Midway began on this day and was fought until June 7, 1942. It is one of the most important naval battles of the Pacific. Four fleet carriers of Japan’s were destroyed, while only one of the three U.S. carriers present was lost. The United States Navy defeated the Japanese Navy. -
Guadalcanal
The PacificThe United States Marines land at Guadalcanal in the Soloman Islands. Japan had bases located in the Guadalcanal to threaten intereference between the supply routes of USA, Australia, and New Zealand. Many allied countries were involved including Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. The US, however, was the largest contributor in Japan's defeat. The Guadalcanal Campaign lasted until February 9, 1943. -
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Eisenhower SpeechDwight D. Eisenhower is appointed Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. Prior to this, he was Deputy Chief in charge of Pacific Defenses and later the Commanding General in the European Theatre of Operations. -
Omaha & Utah Beach
The battle on Omaha Beach is one of the bloodiest in American history. Over 43,000 Americans stormed the beaches, and on that one day a total of 3,000 died. One veteran said "Face downward, as far as eyes could see in either direction were the huddled bodies of men living, wounded, and dead, as tightly packed as cigars in a box… Everywhere, the frantic cry, 'Medics, hey, Medics,' could be heard above the horrible din." -
D-Day
Saving Private RyanThis is the day the allied troops invaded the Normandy beaches in France. The major countries fighting were Britain, Canada, and the United States. The United States attacked and fought the German forces on both Omaha beach and Utah beach. On both beaches, the United States was victorious in defeating the Germans. This advancement was a turning point in the war as the allies demonstrated their exceptional military strength by defeating the Germans in their last efforts to win the war. -
The Battle of the Bulge
Band of Brothers BofBulgeThe Battle of the Bulge begins. Over 89,000 American soldiers are involved in this surprise attack by the Germans. The battle lasts until January 25, 1945 and by the end, the Americans have suffered over 19,000 deaths. Canada, the United Kingdom, and France also fought in this battle. Although it was a long and unexpected battle, the allied nations still came out victorious. -
Vice President, Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman is sworn in as the 34th vice-president of the United States of America. -
The Yalta Conference
A wartime meeting commences between Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, and Josef Stalin, known as the “Big Three”. Its intentions were to examine the re-building of war-torn European nations. The major point decided upon at the conference was that the priority would be on the unconditional surrender of Germany. In addition, after the war, Germany and Berlin would be split into four occupied zones.The conference lasted one week, ending on February 11, 1945. -
The Battle of Iwo Jima
The battle of Iwo Jima began between the United States and Japan. 110,000 American soldiers fought in this battle, however over 6,800 died, with another 19,000 wounded. It lasted until March 26, 1945. -
The End of President Roosevelt
At 3:35 p.m. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt passes away. In the afternoon, Roosevelt says, "I have a terrific pain in the back of my head." He then becomes unconscious and is carried into his bedroom. The president's cardiologist, Dr. Howard Bruenn, diagnoses a massive cerebral hemorrhage (stroke). Later this day, Harry S. Truman, Franklin Roosevelt’s vice-president, is sworn in as the 33rd president of the United States of America. -
Adolf Hitler Commits Suicide.
With the Soviet forces not far from Berlin, Hitler knew that his death was near. If he did not commit suicide, he would end up like the fascist leader of Italy, Benito Mussolini. On the evening before his death, he married Eva Braun. The next day, as recommended by Dr.Werner Haase, both swallowed cyanide pills and were then shot in the head. Günsche, Hitler's SS guard described Hitler as, "...sunken over, with blood dripping out of his right temple. He had shot himself with his own pistol...". -
V-E Day
V-E DAY (Victory in Europe Day) is when the allied forces accept the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. -
The First Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima
Atomic BombThe first atomic bomb, “Little Boy” was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. President Harry S. Truman makes the controversial decision to drop the nuclear weapon. This bomb killed between 90,000 and 166,000 Japanese civilians. -
The Second Atomic Bomb on Nagasaki
Due to Japan’s unwillingness to surrender, President Truman orders a second atomic bomb, “Fat Man”, to be dropped on the Japanese city of Nagasaki. This nuclear weapon killed between 60,000 and 80,000 innocent Japanese people. As President Truman wrote in his diary, “We have discovered the most terrible bomb in the history of the world. It may be the fire destruction prophesied in the Euphrates Valley Era, after Noah and his fabulous Ark.” -
V-J Day
V-J Day in New York CityThis day is known as V-J Day (Victory over Japan Day). This is the day which Japan’s initial surrender is announced to the world in the afternoon. The other day referred to as V-J Day is September 2, 1945 which is when the formal signing of the surrender took place. -
Japan's Official Surrender
The formal signing of Japan’s surrender takes place, officially ending World War II. -
The Marshall Plan
Named after Secretary of State George Marshall, the Marshall Plan ran from 1947-1951. It aided countries in Western Europe in order for them to rebuild their nation and its economy after the war. This plan was offered to the Soviet Union, but Stalin did not accept it. By the end of the four years, the United States had supplied European countries with a total of over $13 billion. -
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The United States was one of 48 countries to sign the Delcaration of Human Rights. This declaration was written by the United Nations and signed in Paris, France on this date. It was written as a result of the brutal and unfair treatment recieved by different groups of people in World War II. It is the first declaration to universally outline human rights which apply to all humans in the world.
