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Invasion of Poland
Germany's invasion of Poland marked the start of WWII. This invasion forced Britain and France to declare war on Germany. -
Battle of Britain
The German Luftwaffe attempted to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force. The RAF's successful defense prevented a German invasion of Britain. -
Holocaust
The systematic genocide carried out by Nazi Germany, resulting in the murder of six million Jews and millions of others. The Holocaust is one of history's most horrific atrocities. -
Operation Barbarossa
Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union. The failure of this operation marked a significant turning point in favor of the Allies on the Eastern Front. -
Pearl Harbor Attack
Japan launched a surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This attack led to the United States entering World War II. -
Battle of Midway
A naval battle in the Pacific War where the US Navy defeated a Japanese fleet. This victory halted Japanese expansion and shifted the balance of power in the Pacific. -
Battle of Stalingrad
One of the deadliest battles in history, the Soviet Union defended Stalingrad against the German Army. The Soviet victory marked a turning point in the war on the Eastern Front. -
Battle of El Alamein
A major battle in North Africa where the Allies, led by General Montgomery, defeated the German Afrika Korps. This victory prevented the Axis from seizing the Suez Canal. -
Italian Campaign
Allied forces invaded Italy, leading to the fall of Mussolini's regime. The campaign opened a new front and diverted German resources from other areas. -
Battle of the Bulge
The last major German offensive on the Western Front, aimed at splitting the Allied forces. The Allies eventually fought off the Germans, hurrying the end of the war in Europe. -
D-Day Invasion
Allied forces launched a massive invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France. This operation began the freeing of Western Europe from Nazi control. -
Liberation of Paris
Allied forces liberated Paris from German control on August 25, 1944. This event symbolized the nearing end of Nazi control in Western Europe. -
Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9. These bombings led to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II. -
Yalta Conference
A meeting between Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin to discuss post-war reorganization. The leaders agreed on the division of Germany and the establishment of the United Nations. -
V-E Day
Germany officially surrendered to the Allied forces. This marked the end of World War II in Europe.