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Story of World War 2
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Invasion of Poland
Germany invaded Poland on 9/1/1939. Two days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany. This is important because it marked the beginning of the war. Also, if Germany hadn't invaded Poland, then most likely the war wouldn't have been so big and it wouldn't have involved a lot of important countries. -
Holocaust: First Killings in Auschwitz during WW2
The first gassings of prisoners occured in Auschwitz I. The SS tests Zyklon B gas by killing 600 Soviet prisoners of war and 250 other ill or weak prisoners. This is important because even though concentration camps had already been put in place, this event marked the beginning of the mass murder of millions of Jews and people of other decent during WW2. This is an event that will always be remembered in history. -
Pearl Harbor
The Japanese attack the U.S. at Pearl Harbor located in Hawaii. The attack was a surprise and it was unexpected. The U.S. radar was unable to detect it because it could not see through Hawaii's mountains. This is important because it marked the entering of the U.S into WW2. Previously, the United States had been isolationist. -
Declaring War on the U.S.
Germany declares war on the U.S. This is important because this is another reason, besides Pearl Harbor, for which the U.S. was brought into WW2, and out of it's isolationist mode. -
Battle of Midway
U.S. manages to defeat the Imperial Japanese Naval. They caused irreparable damage to the Japanese. This is important because it was the turning point of the war in the Pacific, since the U.S. had finally managed to drastically hurt the Japanese, possibly making them weaker. (Lasted till June 7, 1942) -
D-Day
156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches in Normandy, France to attack German forces. It was one of the largest amphibious military attacks in history. In the end, the Allies defeated the Germans and Northern France had been liberated. This is important because not only was part of France liberated, but D-Day was the beginning of the end of war in Europe. -
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was meant to be Hitlers "Last Stand" in breaking the Allied forces apart. It was the largest war the\at the Americans fought in WW2. 600,000 American troops were involved in the battle. In the end, Germany had trouble with their fuel, and they had to withdraw their troops. This is important because it was sort of the end of the war in the Western Front, since Germany could no longer keep fighting. (ended mid-Jan 1945) -
V-E Day
Victory in Europe. German General Jodi signed the surrender document that ended the war in Europe. This is important because it signified the end of the war in Europe, leaving only the war on the Pacific. It brought the U.S. one step closer into ending the entire WW2. -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Japan
With approval from President Harry S. Truman, the American bomber Enola Gay dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, a city in Japan, causing over 70,000 deaths instantly. Later, the U.S dropped another bomb on Nagasaki. This is important because it's the reason for Japan finally surrendering to the U.S. after a long, brutal war. (Signifies end of war is near) -
V-J Day
On V-J Day, the Japanese surrendered unconditonally to the United States, main reason being because of the droppings of the atomic bomb. This is important because the war on the Pacific was officially over. Since the war in Europe had already ended, this meant that World War 2 was basically over.
