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  Germany invades Poland, starting World War II. Britain and France declare war on Germany.
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  Germany invades Norway and Denmark.
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  Germany invades Belgium and the Netherlands.
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  Germany begins bombing Britain.
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  Germany invades the Soviet Union.
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  Japan bombs Pearl Harbor. The U.S. declares war on Japan.
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  Japan captures Singapore.
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  Japan captures the Philippines and Burma.
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  The tide turns — the Allies defeat Japan in the Battle of Midway.
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  German troops surrender in Stalingrad, USSR.
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  Axis troops in northern Africa surrender.
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  Italy surrenders.
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  U.S. forces invade Tarawa.
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  Allied troops land in France and begin invasion.
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  Japan's navy is defeated near the Philippines.
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  Germans fight back in Battle of the Bulge.
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  Germany surrenders, ending World War II in Europe.
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  Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
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  Japan signs surrender agreement, ending war.