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Rape of Nanking
During the Sino-Japanese War, Japan overtook Nanking, the then capitol of China. They destroyed the city, murdered over 200,000 men and raped, tortured, and killed between 20,000 and 80,000 women and children of all ages so as to break the spirit of the Chinese resistance. -
German Blitzkrieg
Germanys "Blitzkrieg" was a military tactic developed by Hitler to disorganize enemy lines. It consisted of quick, persistant air and ground strikes. This tactic was used throughout World War II by both the Axis Powers and The Allies. -
Pearl Harbor
Japan bombed the Peral Harbor American naval base in Hawaii as a retaliation to America cutting off Japans oil supply. Over 2,000 people were killed, and America's nuetrality in the war was ended. -
D-Day
The Allied forces invaded Normandy so as to liberate France from Germany. The victory for the Allies changed the tide of World War II. -
The Liberation of Concentration Camps
As the Allies moved into the heart of Germany, they liberated German Nazi Camps, many of which had either been destroyed or abandoned with thousands of emancipated Jewish and other prisoners left inside. These camps revealed the cruelty and prue hatred that Hitler, the Axis Powers, and ultimately all humans are capable of. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
America launched an amphibiousattack on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima. The American military needed a safe place to land their B-29's, and Japanese fighter planes from Iwo JImakept intercepting the American air forces. The capture of Iwo Jima resulted in an American-held airfield that saved the lives of 24,000 U.S. airmen. -
Battle of Okinawa
America needed to capture the Japanese island of Okinawa so as to take over the Axis Powers' last stronghold in the Pacific Ocean. In two months, America managed to capture the island and it's airfields. -
VE Day
World War II officially ended on Sunday, May 8, 1945 with Germany's surrender to the Allied Forces. VE Day stands for "Victory in Europe Day". -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
America hoped to end the fight between itself and Japan by dropping two atomic bombs, codenamed "Little Boy" and "Fat Man", on the Japanese cities of Nagasaki and HIroshima. This was a large step in history as the first atomic bombs used in war. Japan surrendered after the second bomb dropped. -
VJ Day
Japan surrendered after America dropped atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The day became known as Victory in Japan Day, or "VJ Day". -
Battle of the Bulge
Hitler attempted to split the Allied forces using a blitzkrieg so The Axis Powers could force the Allies out of Northwest Europe. The Allied forces' defensive lines shifted and formed a large "bulge" that gave the battle it's name. The attack became known as Hitler's last major offensive in the war.
