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Germany Invades Poland
The Polish army was defeated within weeks of the invasion. Germany broke through Polish defenses along the border with over 2,00 tanks and more than 1,000 planes. -
Period: to
World War II
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Gathering of Faith
Thousands of persons of all faiths, attended a county fair. This event joined in a peace demonstration as Great Britain declared war on Nazi Germany. -
Defense Program
Industrial leaders met with public officials to plan mobilization of Pittsburgh district resources. The meeting was about the nation's $5,000,000,000 defense program. -
France Surrenders To Germany
France signs an armstice and under its terms, 2/3 of France is to be occupied by the Germans. The French army was ordered to be disbanded and must bear the cost of the german invasion. -
Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack was a complete surprise that killed thousands of Americans and damaged so many naval ships. The attacking planes came in two waves; the first hit its target at 7:53 AM, the second at 8:55. By 9:55 it was all over. -
Pittsburgh in Shock
Pittsburgh was shocked over the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The whole country was in mourning. -
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway is regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of WWII. Occured about one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea and six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy defeated an Imperial Japanese Navy. -
Blackout!
First "blackout" practice took place. They practiced this incase another type of Pearl Harbor attack was to occur. -
War Show
The Army War Show was given at Pitt Stadium. The well-known stadium "Forbes Field." -
The Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was a major turning point during WWII and is recorded to be one of the bloodiest battles. Germany and its allies fought the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad. -
FDR Re-Election
Harry S. Truman, Democratic nominee for vice-president, called for the re-election of President Roosevelt at Syria Mosque. -
D Day
The Allied invasion of Nazi- occupied Europe on the beaches of Normandy, France. More than 5,000 ships and 4,000 ship-to-shore craft were employed in the landings. British forces on the left flank and U.S. forces on the right. -
No Strikes for War
In a mass rally outside the East Pittsburgh plant, 20,000 employees of Westinghouse reaffirmed a no-strike pledge for duration of the war. -
Things Are Getting Costly
A survey showed that war contracts completed to date or underway in Pittsburgh district plants totaled $903,398,644, with $322,000,000 of it delivered to the front lines. -
Allies Liberate Paris
This Battle of Paris lasted until the surrender of the occupying German garrison on August 25, 1944. Is also accounted as the last battle in the Campaign for Normandy -
Battle of the Bulge
The Germans wanted to launch an offensive attack that would demoralize the Americans and hopefully convince them to negotiate for peace. The Germans launched the attack at the weakest part of the Allied line. -
War Takes Toll on Economy
Work stoppages were reduced 50 per cent during the year by a United States Steel -- United Steel Workers agreement on principle of a "fair day's work for a fair day's pay," setting up 32 job classifications and eliminating "speed up." -
Changing of Chancellors in Pitt
Dr. John G. Bowman the nation's highest-paid educator of the day at $31,500 a year, resigned after 15 years as chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh; Dr. Rufus H. Fitzgerald, vice-chancellor, was designated his successor. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
This was a battle in which the United States fought for and captured Iwo Jima from Japan. The U.S. invasion was charged with the mission of capturing the two airfields on Iwo Jima. -
FDR Dies Truman Becomes President
Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a cerebral hemorrage or stroke at age 63. That same day, Harry S. Truman moves into the presidential seat. -
Pittbsurgh in Mourning
The city and county governments, business, schools, and all other activities were suspended, all churches scheduled special prayer services, and Mayor Scully asked all amusement places to close in mourning for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. -
Hitler Commits Suicide
Adolf Hitler commited suicide in Berlin by gunshot and cyanide poisoning. Before Hitler commited suicide, he found out about the execution of his ally Benito Mussolini, whose body was hung up and publicly beaten after death, and vowed not to share a similar fate. -
VE Day
"Victory in Europe Day" or "VE Day" was the day the Allies celebrated the end of WWII. Also having accomplished the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of Hitler's Third Reich. -
Women Come to Power
Dr. Paul R. Anderson, dean of Lawrence College in Appleton, Wisconsin, was elected president of Pennsylvania College for Women to succeed Dr. Herbert L. Spencer. With all the men off at war, it was the women's turn. -
War Heroes Return
One hundred thousand persons turned out to extend a hero's welcome to 64 officers and enlisted men returning home from the war. -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima
At approximately 8:15 a.m. Hiroshima time the Enola Gay released "Little Boy," its 9,700-pound uranium bomb, over the city. Forty-three seconds later, a huge explosion lit the morning sky as Little Boy detonated 1,900 feet above the city. -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Nagasaki
The atom bomb exploded about 1,625 feet above the ground and is believed to have completely destroyed the city. American Airmen flying many miles from Nagasaki reported smoke from fires were rising 50,000 feet. -
Surrender of Japan
The city was jubilant over the surrender of Japan. The war was finally over and our soliders came home! -
VJ Day
Victory over Japan day of V-J day was a celebration of Japans surrender and WWII comes to an end. In Japan the day is known as Shusen-kinenbi, which literally means the "Memorial day for the end of the war". -
Lay-Offs
Pittsburgh district industries laid off 7000 workers as the first cancellation of a war contract became effective. Although America was getting back on its feet, they had a lot of work to do.
