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US Congress
The US Congress passes the Fair Labor Standards Act, the first national effort to legislate a minimum hourly wage (25 cents) and a ceiling on the number of working hours (44 per week). -
Germany invades Czechoslovakia and Italy invades Albania
March 14
After annexing the Sudetenland, Germany invades the rest of Czechoslovakia, while Italy launches an invasion of Albania -
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War ends, as Madrid falls to the forces of Francisco Franco. -
Adolph Hitler
Adolph Hitler provides the final orders for the invasion of Poland. -
Germany troops
German troops and aircraft attack Poland. Soviet troops will invade Poland from the east on September 17, and Poland will surrender to the Germans on September 27. -
President Roosevelt
Although President Roosevelt has declared American neutrality in the war in Europe, a Neutrality Act is signed that allows the US to send arms and other aid to Britain and France. -
Soviet Union
Soviet troops invade Finland. -
Soviet troops
November 30
Soviet troops invade Finland. -
Mussolini and Hitler
Mussolini and Hitler announce Italy's formal alliance with Germany against England and France. -
Mussolini and Hitler
Mussolini and Hitler announce Italy's formal alliance with Germany against England and France. -
Italy declares war on Britian
Italy declares war on Britain and France, and U.S. President Roosevelt announces a shift from neutrality to "non-belligerency," meaning more active support for the Allies against the Axis. -
Germany Italy and Japan
Germany, Italy and Japan enter into a 10-year military and economic alliance that comes to be known as the "Axis". Hungary and Romania will join the Axis in November. -
Greece and Yugoslavia
Greece and Yugoslavia are invaded by German troops. -
Japanese Troops
Japanese troops capture Manila. -
Philippines
The Philippines fall to Japanese troops. -
British Forces
British forces capture Tripoli.