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Germany Invades Poland (Start of WW2)
In September 1939, Germany, under Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland, igniting World War II in Europe. Employing blitzkrieg tactics, German forces swiftly overwhelmed Polish defenses, leading to the fall of Poland within weeks. The invasion prompted declarations of war from Britain and France against Germany, escalating the conflict into a global scale. -
Germany takes control
Germany rapidly expanded its control over Europe during World War II, employing blitzkrieg tactics to conquer countries such as France, Poland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Axis alliances and military superiority facilitated this swift conquest, but resistance from Allied forces gradually pushed back German control, leading to the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. -
Battle of Dunkirk
The Battle of Dunkirk was a crucial WWII event where Allied troops were trapped by Germans in France. A massive evacuation effort saved over 300,000 soldiers from certain capture or death. It boosted Allied morale and bought time for future operations. -
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain was a pivotal WWII air campaign fought between the British Royal Air Force and the German Luftwaffe in 1940. It marked the first major military campaign in history to be fought entirely by air forces. The RAF successfully defended Britain against German aerial attacks, preventing a German invasion and securing a crucial victory for the Allies. -
Tripartite Pact
The Tripartite Pact, signed in 1940, formed a military alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II. It aimed to counter the Allied powers and promote mutual support among the Axis nations. The pact laid the groundwork for Axis cooperation and coordination throughout the war. -
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, a United States naval base in Hawaii, was attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy on December 7, 1941. The surprise assault resulted in significant damage to the American Pacific fleet, including the sinking of battleships and loss of aircraft. This attack propelled the United States into World War II, leading to its declaration of war against Japan the following day. -
United States declares war on Japan
After the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan on December 8, 1941, the United States swiftly declared war on Japan. The attack galvanized American public opinion and led to a unified resolve to enter World War II, marking a pivotal moment in the conflict. This declaration ultimately solidified the United States' commitment to the Allied cause. -
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway, fought in June 1942, was a pivotal naval engagement between the United States and Japan during World War II. Despite being outnumbered, American forces successfully intercepted and defeated a Japanese fleet attempting to seize Midway Atoll. The decisive victory crippled Japan's naval strength and marked a turning point in the Pacific theater, shifting the momentum in favor of the Allies. -
D-Day (Battle of Normandy)
The Battle of Normandy, launched on June 6, 1944, was the largest amphibious invasion in history and a pivotal moment in World War II. Allied forces, led by the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, in a coordinated assault against German defenses. Despite heavy casualties and fierce resistance, the Allies successfully established a foothold in Europe, ultimately leading to the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation. -
Allies take control of Paris
Allies liberate Paris: August 1944. French Resistance supports the advance, leading to a swift victory over German forces. The event symbolizes the beginning of the end for Nazi occupation in France during World War II. -
Auschwitz liberated by the Soviet troops
Troops liberate Auschwitz: January 1945. Allied forces uncover atrocities of Nazi concentration camps. Critical moment in WWII history and Holocaust remembrance. -
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, fought from April to June 1945, was a pivotal conflict in the Pacific Theater during World War II. It was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. The Allied victory secured an important base for the planned invasion of Japan, but the battle foreshadowed the intensity of the conflict that would have ensued had the invasion taken place. -
The bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima
The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 marked the first and only use of nuclear weapons in warfare. The bombings, ordered by the United States against Japan during World War II, resulted in catastrophic destruction and loss of life. These events ultimately led to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II. -
End of WW2
World War II ended in 1945 with Japan's surrender following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The formal surrender ceremony took place on September 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. The war's conclusion brought relief and the beginning of a tumultuous period of post-war reconstruction and geopolitical realignment.