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WWII Timetoast Timeline
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Germany invades Poland
The invasion began on September 1st,1939, one week after the signing of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, and ended October 6th, 1939 with Germany and the Soviet Union dividing Poland. Many of the military exiles that managed to escape Poland subsequently joined the Polish Armed Forces. -
County Fair
Thousands of persons of all faiths, attending the county fair, 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 for the nation's $5,000,000,000 defense program. -
France surrenders to Germany
The battle that led to the surrender consisted of two main operations. The first operation was Fall Gelb- German units pushed through Ardennes to cut off and surround the Allied units that had entered Belgium. In the second operation, Fall Rot - when German forces went around the Maginot Line to attack French territory. -
Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor
Unexpectantly on the morning of Decmember 7th, Japanese air forces invaded Pearl Harbor in the Pacific where our U.S. ships were based. In less than two hours a total of 21 American ships were sunk, 188 aircraft were destroyed, 159 were damaged and over 2,400 American were killed. -
Pittsburgh Mourns Over Peal Harbor
On this day in history Pittsburgh people mourn over the disaster at Pearl Harbor. All at shocked at the loss of lives in just two short hours. On December 8th, young men volunteered for enlistment in the armed services in one day in Pittsburgh. -
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway, fought in June 1942, must be considered one of the most decisive battles of World War Two. The Battle of Midway effectively destroyed Japan’s naval strength when the Americans destroyed four of its aircraft carriers. Japan’s navy never recovered from its mauling at Midway and it was on the defensive after this battle. -
The Army Show
The Army War Show was given at Pitt Stadium. Thousands of Pittsburgh citizens gathered to witness the men who protect our country. -
United Steel Workers Increase
United Steel Workers' wage policy committee, meeting at William Penn Hotel, accepted a 44-cents-a-day wage increase granted by War Labor Board to employees of "Little Steel" firms. -
The Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad is considered by many historians to have been the turning point in World War Two in Europe. The battle at Stalingrad bled the German army dry in Russia and after this defeat, the Germany Army was in full retreat. -
D-Day
This day was a crucial step in the war and only the true warriors came out alive. 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end on June 6, the Allies gained a foot- hold in Normandy. -
Pittsburgh Rallies
In a mass rally outside the East Pittsburgh plant, 20,000 employees of Westinghouse reaffirmed a no-strike pledge for duration of the war. -
Survey in Pittsburgh
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 (Free) Paris
After four years under German occupation, Paris is now free. Parisians cheered as Allied troops marched down the Champs Elysee. -
Battle of Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge, fought over the winter months of 1944 – 1945, was the last major Nazi offensive against the Allies in World War Two. The battle was a last ditch attempt by Hitler to split the Allies in two in their drive towards Germany and destroy their ability to supply themselves. -
Pittsburgh Labor Strikes
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." -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The capture of Iwo Jima was part of a three-point plan the Americans had for winning the war in the Far East. Iwo Jima is a very small Pacific island – just over 4.5 miles long. Despite its size, Iwo Jima was considered to have great tactical importance. The tiny island had taken America over one month to take. The Marines lost 6,891 men killed and 18,070 wounded. -
Pittsburgh Loses Workers Due to War
Heavy production losses resulted. 25,000 persons in industry were idled by swollen rivers which rose to a crest of 33.4 feet. -
FDR Dies, Truman becomes President
President Roosevelt dies of a cerebral hemorrhage at Warm Springs in Georgia. Vice-President Truman becomes President. Truman has so far had limited involvement in the work of the Roosevelt administration and among most he receives his first briefing in the next few days in the atomic weapons project. -
Pittsburgh Calls Off for Prayer Services
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
In Berlin, Hitler died by gunshot and cyanide poisoning. He allegedly commited suicide due to the war coming to an end and Germany falling. -
VE Day
The world celebrated Victory in Europe, and on May 8 (V-E Day) we remember those who fought to preserve the freedom that we now enjoy. The United States, Great Britain and the Soviet Union provided most of the Allied forces during World War II, but few people realize that the fourth-largest contributor was Poland. -
Dr. Paul R. Anderson Promises Pittburgh
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. He promises to help stop economic failure form war. -
Returning Home
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
The first atomic bomb has been dropped by a United States aircraft on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. President Harry S Truman said the device was more than 2,000 times more powerful than the largest bomb used to date. -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Nagasaki
American forces have dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki - the second such attack on Japan in three days. The bomb was dropped by parachute from an American B29 Bomber at 1102 local time. -
Russian Labor Leaders arrive
Russian labor leaders arrived to tour the district's steel mills. Pittsburgh wives start to prepare for an end to the war by spoiling themselves to cakes. -
Pittsburgh is Jubliant
The city was jubilant over the surrender of Japan. Pittsburgh rejoyces that the day they've been waiting for is finally here! -
VJ Day
The U.S. announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, ending World War II. Since then, both August 14 and August 15 have been known as "Victory over Japan Day," or simply "V-J Day." -
Pittsburgh Industries Workers Laid Off
Pittsburgh district industries laid off 7000 workers. The first cancellation of a war contract became effective.
