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Japan Occupation of Korea
Korea and Japan signed an agreement that Korea would become part of the Empire of Japan. As the years past, industry in Korea boomed, but the living of Koreans became worse. When WWII ended in 1945, the Soviet Union enter North Korea and took over the factories for their own benefit. -
Korea Divided into North/South Parts
At the Cairo Conference, the Allies, among other things, declared that Korea "shall become free and independent." The Soviets invaded Manchuria and the United States stepped in, agreeing to split Korea at the 38th Parallel or DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). -
World War II Ends (V-J Day)
World War II officially ends with the surrender of Japan. -
Korean War Begins
North Korean forces catch South Korea by surprise when they cross the DMZ and push towards Seoul. -
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Battle of Pusan Perimeter
The North Korean army pushes back UN, U.S., UK, and South Korean forces all the way to the Pusan perimeter. The defensive line was a border around the port city of Pusan. The "allies" were eventually able to slowly push the North Koreans back towards the 38th parallel through South Korea. -
Landing at Inchon
On this day, U.N. troops landed at Inchon with the goal to later retake the capital city of Seoul. In doing so, the "allies" were able to cut off supplie lines of the North Koreans. -
United Nations and South Korea Cross into North Korea
After the landing at Inchon and the counteroffensive at Pusan, the UN forces took back the south, including Seoul, from the north. After crossing the DMZ, the UN forces continued into North Korea, taking over Pyongyang, and advancing up to near the Chinese border. -
China Enters War
Even though China threatened to intervene if the UN continued to push through North Korea, they did not give in. Once China stepped in to support North Korea, the "allies" were pushed back to the 38th parallel. -
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"Chinese Winter Offensive"
China, along with North Korean orces, counterattack the UN push towards the North Korea/China border. By December, the "allies" were forced out of the north. From this point on, a stalemate would ensue for the remainder of the war. -
President Dwight Eisenhower Visits Korea
In an announcement while running for president, Eisenhower said that if he were elected, he would go to Korea to see the issues first hand. He gained lots of support due to the fact that Truman could not bring the war to an end. When he visted, however, Eisenhower was unable to find a quick solution to ending the conflict, but did hint at nuclear destruction if necessary. -
Cease-fire Signed
After two years of talks and a two year stalemate, the Koreas, along with their allies, agreed to a cease-fire. Agreements include: fixing of DMZ, arrangements regarding POWs, and recommendations for both governments regarding post-war. -
Korean War is Over
The war is declared over after all parties sign the Korean Armistice Agreement.
