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Pact between Germany and the URSS
German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact, also called Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact, German-Soviet Treaty of Nonaggression, Hitler-Stalin Pact, Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, (August 23, 1939), nonaggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union that was concluded only a few days before the beginning of World War II and which divided eastern Europe into German and Soviet spheres of influence. -
Invasion of Poland
Germany invaded Poland. To justify the action, Nazi propagandists falsely claimed that Poland had been planning, with its allies Great Britain and France, to encircle and dismember Germany and that Poles were persecuting ethnic Germans. The SS, in collusion with the German military, staged a phony Polish attack on a German radio station. Hitler then used this action to launch a “retaliatory” campaign against Poland. -
The Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain was a military campaign of the Second World War, in which the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) of the Royal Navy ... -
Second Vienna award
Germany and Italy arbitrate a decision on the division of the disputed province of Transylvania between Romania and Hungary. The loss of northern Transylvania forces Romanian King Carol to abdicate in favor of his son, Michael, and brings to power a dictatorship under General Ion Antonescu. -
The Bombing of Pearl Harbor
In all, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor crippled or destroyed nearly 20 American ships and more than 300 airplanes. Dry docks and airfields ... -
United States declares war to Japan
The United States declares war on Japan, entering World War II. Japanese troops land in the Philippines, French Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia), and British Singapore. By April 1942, the Philippines, Indochina, and Singapore are under Japanese occupation. -
The Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was a key battle to secure dominance in the Pacific in World War II. Learn more about the strategies employed during this battle. -
Operation Torch
On November 8, 1942, American and British forces invaded beaches and ports across French North Africa. Officially opening a long-awaited second front against the Axis, operation Torch constituted world history's biggest and most complex amphibious landing. -
Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Program
The Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program, often referred to as the Monuments Men was an international group established in 1943 that worked under the. The Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Section Unit (MFAA) was a program established by the Allies in 1943 to help protect cultural property in war areas -
Soviet troops liberate Kiev.
November 6, 1943, the Soviet troops during the Kiev offensive liberated capital of Ukraine from fascist invaders. In late September 1943 the troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front, commanded by General of the Army M.F. -
D-Day (June 6th, 1944)
The D-Day operation of June 6, 1944, brought together the land, air, and sea forces of the Allied armies in what became known as the largest amphibious invasion in military history. The operation, given the codename OVERLORD, delivered five naval assault divisions to the beaches of Normandy, France. -
The Battle of the Bulge
The "Bulge" was the largest and bloodiest single battle fought by the United States in World War II and the third-deadliest campaign in American history. -
The Death of Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler committed suicide on April 30, 1945, after being hunted by Soviet troops storming Berlin. -
Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima
At 7:15 a.m., the bomber crew armed the bomb, and the plane began its ascent to the bombing altitude of 31,000 feet. The B-29 Superfortress