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World War II
This is the timespan from begining to end of WWII. -
Germany Invades Poland
Within weeks of the invasion, the Polish army was totally taken over. Huge German units invade Warsaw in a massive encirclement attack, forcing them to surrender. -
Family Immigrates to this country
My family arrived on Ellis Island from Poland mearly five days before Germany invaded Poland. They moved because of the fear that the Nazi's would invade all of Europe. -
France surrenders to Germany
They surrender at Compiegne. They were not forced to sign an armistance, but the Prime Minister asked for an armistance with Germany. -
Great Uncle was born
My great uncle Charles was born on this date. He is eight years younger than my grandmother. -
Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor
Japan sends a suprise military attack on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor. This forced the U.S to declare war on Japan. -
Where is Pearl Harbor?
My family was listening to the radio and did not know where Pearl Harbor was. From the urgency in the man's voice, my family was worried it wasn't that far away. -
Battle of Midway
This battle went from the 4 to the 7 of June, six months after Pearl Harbor. It is also considered the most important naval battle of WWII. -
Johnny was killed
My grandmother's cousin was killed on the 6th, shortly after the battle had just begun. It was a long hard battle for him. -
The Battle of Stalingrad
This battle went from the 17 of July 1942 to the 2 of Feburary 1943. It was a long hard battle that was finally won by the Allies. -
German part of the family forced to fight
My father's mother's family was forced to fight in the battle of Stalingrad. They survived, and managed to flee to this country. -
D Day
By the end of this long battle, the Allies gained a foot hold in Normandy. With many casualties, the troops still marched on to defeat the Germans. -
Waiting...
Our family sat around the radio waiting in anticipation on the outcome of the Allied invasion. They were woried for the soldiers there. -
Allies Liberate Paris
Paris surrender to the Allies, compleating the liberation of Paris. This meant that the Allies freed Paris from, the hated, Germans. -
Frank is born
My great uncle, Frank, was born on this day. He got his name because of France being liberated. -
The Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge took place from the 16 of December, 1944 to the 25 of January, 1945 twards the end of World War II. This terrible winter battle was won by the Allies. -
He's okay!
My grandfathers cousin was in the Battle of the Bulge. His mother had a premonition that he was okay, and a week later he came home alive. -
The Battle of Iwo Jima
From the 19 of February to the 26 of March this battle was fought by the United States. They fought for and captured Iwo Jima from Japan. -
Tough Times
My grandmother's best friend's brother lied about his age to enter the Marines. He was sent to Iwo Jima and was killed. Though he was't part of our family, It still greatly impacted my grandmother. -
Franklin Delenor Roosevelt Dies
Around noon on this day, FDR looses conciousness. He was in his fourth Presidential term. He had a lot ahead of him as president. While in his happy home, FDR began to get terrible headaches. He was suffering a massive cerebral hemorrage and died shortly after. Truman then becomes president. -
FDR in our family
Because our family was stanuch democrats, they all morned the death of the beloved President. It was hard especally on my grandmother. -
Hitler Commits Suicide
On this day, Hitler swallows a cyanide capsule, and then shoots himself in the head. Soon after, Germany surrenders to the Allies, foiling all of Hitlers plans for Germany. -
No more Hitler
The German side of my family was so happy that they were finally free. My Grandmother made food for all of her family. -
VE Day
This day is also known as Victory in Europe Day. It shows how the Allies accepted the surrender of Germany and the end of Hitler's third reign. -
Celebrating VE Day
Happy that Germany surrendered, the family celebrated. They still hoped that the Japanese would do the same soon. -
Atomic Bomb dropped on Hiroshima
At about 8:15a.m a bomb, called Little Boy, was dropped over the city. As little as 43 seconds later, a huge explosion happened 1,900 feet over the city. -
Hiroshima Bombing
Our family, like most Americans, didn't know the destruction that an atomic bomb would do. They were worried this would happen to us too. -
Atomic Bomb dropped on Nagasaki
American troops drop a bomb, along with a parachute onto Nagasaki. Around noon, it was dropped, completely distroying the city. -
Nagasaki Bombing
My family was hopeful that this bombing would truly end the war with Japan. We still didn't know what was going to happen, though. -
VJ Day
Also known as Victory over Japan Day August 14 was a very important day. It was the day that Japan finally surrendered to the Allies, offically ending World War II. -
End of WWII for the family
My grandmother went downtown with her firends to celebrate the end of the war. My family as a whole felt save and carefree again.
