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Japan invades China.
World War II begins in the Pacific. -
Japan bombs Pearl Harbor.
Pearl Harbor in Hawaii is bombed, triggering U.S. involvement in the war. -
U.S. declares war on Japan.
The United Stateds officially enters World War II while Japanese troops land in Phillipines and French Indochina. -
Battle of Midway
American and British navies stop Japanese advancement in the Pacific. -
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Guadalcanal Campaign
At Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, U.S. troops stop Japanese advancement toward Australia. -
Admiral Yamamoto is Killed
Japanase Admiral Yamomoto's plane is shot down by U.S. forces, delivering a blow to Japanese war morale. -
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Battle of Leyte Gulf
U.S. defeats Japanese in an effort to liberate the Phillipines. -
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Battle of Iwo Jima
U.S. forces capture Iwo Jima in order to stage an attack on the Japanese mainland. -
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Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Atomic bombs are dropped on Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9). Over 100,000 people die. -
Japan Surrenders.
Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signed a surrender on behalf of the Japanese government.