-
Japanese Invasion of China
In July of 1937, the Japanese Army murdered thousands of people in the Chinese city of Nanking. Between 20,000 to 80,000 women were sexually assaulted during this invasion. At this time, Nanking was the Capital of China and was left in shambles. It took many decades for China to rebuild the city from this cruel invasion.
https://www.history.com/topics/japan/nanjing-massacre -
German Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg is a term used by the Germans that means "Lightning War" which is a tactic that their military which confused their enemy by disorganizing them and concentrating firepower on weak points. In 1939 Germans tried out this strategy while invading Poland and then later used it successfully while invading Belgium.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg -
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, the US Naval base station on Honolulu, Hawaii was surprise attacked on December 7, 1941 by Japanese forces. There were hundreds of Japanese forces flown in to destroy 8 battle ships, over 300 planes and over 2,400 Americans. This was the immediate cause of the US joining World War 2. The reason for this attack was a surprise however war between the two countries was in question for years.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Wannsee Conference
This conference was held by Nazi Officials to discuss what would happen to the Jews. Herman Goering, was speaking for Hitler when he ordered Reinhard Heydrich to carry out an administrative plan to achieve the desired final solution of the Jewish question. Essentially they were discussing ways they could exterminate the Jews.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-wannsee-conference -
Bataan Death March
This was the day that the Bataan Peninsula on the main Philippine island of Luzon to the Japanese during world war 2. Approximately 75,000 Filipino and American troops were forced to make a 65 mile march to prison camps in the Philippines. They were all subject to the harsh treatment of the Japanese guards who walked with them to these camps. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Brutal military campaign between Russian forces and those of Nazi Germany and the Axis powers during World War 2. This is an infamous battle, known as one of the largest and bloodiest engagements in modern warfare. Nearly 2 million people were killed or injured in fighting this battle. This battle was a turning point in favor of the allied forces.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
Battle of Midway
Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States defeated Japan in one of the most decisive naval battles in the whole of World War 2. The US, made major advances in code breaking, which was able to counter Japan's planned ambush of its remaining aircraft carriers. This was the turning point in the Pacific campaign, the victory the US to move into an offensive position which put the war in their favor.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
D Day
D Day is known as the day where around 156,000 Allied forces landed on 5 beaches along a 50 mile strip of beach in Normandy France. This is one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history and required strenuous training. This was also called the beginning of the end of war in Europe.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Operation Thunderclap
A series of firebombing raids began against Dresden, Germany. This series of raids killed as many as 135,000 people. It was the single most destructive bombing of the raid, ranking above Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This was all the worse because it was strategically planned to be used on Germany who were already ready to surrender.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/firebombing-of-dresden -
Battle of the Bulge
Adolf Hitler attempts to split Allied armies in NW Europe while using his strategy 'Blitzkrieg'. Americans were caught off guard but immediately readjusted their efforts to the surprise attack. General George S. Patton maneuvered quickly to the Bastogne and provided what the allies needed to secure the victory against the German counteroffensive however had many casualties.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Battle of Iwo Jima
A military campaign between US Marines and Imperial Japanese Army. Just 750 miles off the coast of Japan was Iwo Jima, two islands taht could be used as strategic airfields for invasions of Japan. American forces invaded Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945 and killed all but 200 of the 21,000 Japanese forces on the island. But once the battle was over, Americans doubted the strategic advantage that the island gave them.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
Aushwitz was known as the largest concentration and death camp during world war 2. This concentration camp was located in southern Poland. This camp developed into a network of camps that people who were against the Nazi state were to be exterminated, mostly in gas chambers or used for labors like slaves. In January 1945, the Soviet army began approaching the camp and the Nazi officials sent all 60,000 prisoners to march to other locations.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/auschwitz -
VE Day
On May 9th, 1945, GB and the US would celebrate Victory in Europe day. This was the day that the allied troops would win over the European axis powers. German troops laid down their arms in Prague. Germans surrendered to their Soviet antagonists. -
Dropping of Atomic Bombs
This was the day that the US became the first nation to use an atomic weapon in war. Albert Einstein had warned that Germans were developing weaponry. However by the time the atomic bomb had been tested, Germany had already been defeated. The war in Japan was the perfect to be the perfect test of the strength of America. This bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was the end of world war 2.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atomic-bomb-dropped-on-hiroshima -
VJ Day
This was the day that Japan announced surrender to the Allies, ending world war 2. This day is known as Vicotry in Japan Day. This day is also used to represent on 9/2/1945 where Japanese surrendered on the U.S.S Missouri, which was anchored in Tokyo Bay.
