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Europe: Germany invades Poland, starting WWII.
Hitler sends planes, tanks, and ground soldiers to carry out an attack on Poland. This attack sparks World War II between the Axis Powers and the Allies. Image: https://www.google.com/search?q=germany+invades+poland&espv=2&biw=1536&bih=759&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjhh-6e4qvRAhVkwFQKHa3rDioQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=IK9HgXzb22jBnM%3A -
North America: The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
The Japanese conduct a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base of Pearl Harbor as an act of defiance. The bombing destroys many ships and aircraft, and kills more than 2,000 Americans. Image: https://www.google.com/search?q=attack+on+pearl+harbor&espv=2&biw=1536&bih=759&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwij8c3k4qvRAhVJ5WMKHTjXAHsQ_AUIBygC#imgrc=8eSyGzbsBoFykM%3A -
Europe: Anne Frank and her family go into hiding.
During WWII, Anne Frank and her family are forced to go into hiding because they are Jewish. They hide in a small room for nearly a month and risk being caught and sent to a concentration camp. Image: https://www.google.com/search?q=anne+frank+goes+into+hiding&espv=2&biw=1536&bih=759&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjhgaH84qvRAhVX4mMKHfjHDfAQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=wUp4lDqduUk7CM%3A -
Asia: The U.S. drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
In an attempt to make Japan surrender and end WWII, the U.S. drops two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The attacks completely destroy the cities and kill more than 200,000 people. Image: https://www.google.com/search?q=bombing+of+hiroshima&espv=2&biw=1536&bih=759&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQ3aev46vRAhVmiVQKHUWLAu4Q_AUIBygC#imgrc=AgLN0An1wO8HyM%3A -
North America: Jackie Robinson becomes the first black baseball player in Major Leagues.
Jackie Robinson breaks the color barrier by joining the Dodgers and becoming the first African American player in Major League Baseball. Image: https://www.google.com/search?q=jackie+robinson&espv=2&biw=1536&bih=759&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj7wvTX46vRAhUjslQKHdkPCfIQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=tTc9koOvAHAKeM%3A -
Asia: The Korean War begins.
The Korean War is ignited when North Korea invades South Korea. The Soviet Union and China come to the aid of North Korea, while the U.S. backs South Korea. Korea continues to be divided. Image: https://www.google.com/search?q=korean+war&espv=2&biw=1536&bih=759&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjnl7Ho46vRAhXpy1QKHcUuDDYQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=T5M43GeA7X38sM%3A -
North America: Fidel Castro takes control of Cuba.
Castro successfully defeats Cuba's former leader, Fulgencio Batista, and becomes Cuba's dictatorial leader for nearly 50 years. He leads an extremely controversial reign over the Cuban people. Image: https://www.google.com/search?q=fidel+castro+1959&espv=2&biw=1536&bih=759&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiN_b-O5KvRAhXorlQKHSHSCSwQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=WW9EBa5uFzmlPM%3A -
Africa: Nelson Mandela is sentenced to life in prison.
Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader, who works to end all oppression towards black South Africans, is arrested, convicted of sabotage, and sentenced to life in prison. Image: https://www.google.com/search?q=nelson+mandela+1964&espv=2&biw=1536&bih=759&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjlt8Gl5KvRAhXDllQKHQzHDPIQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=G-qzUw5hl_EwKM%3A
