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The Soviet Union invaded Poland
The Soviet Union invades Poland from the east. -
Germany invades Denmark and Norway
Germany invades Denmark and Norway. Denmark surrenders on the day of the attack; Norway holds out until June 9. -
Germany attacks western Europe
Germany attacks western Europe—France and the neutral Low Countries. Luxembourg is occupied on May 10; the Netherlands surrenders on May 14; and Belgium surrenders on May 28. On June 22, France signs an armistice agreement by which the Germans occupy the northern half of the country and the entire Atlantic coastline. In southern France, a collaborationist regime with its capital in Vichy is established. -
Italy enters the war
Italy enters the war. Italy invades southern France on June 21. -
The United States declares war on Japan, entering World War II.
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. -
Allied troops reach Paris.
Allied troops reach Paris. On August 25, Free French forces, supported by Allied troops, enter the French capital. By September, the Allies reach the German border; by December, virtually all of France, most of Belgium, and part of the southern Netherlands are liberated. -
US troops land in the Philippines.
troops land in the Phillipines -
Hitler commits suicide.
hitler commits suiside. -
Germany surrenders to the Soviets.
germany surrenders -
us drops bomb
us drops atomic bomb on Hiroshima -
soviet union declares war
The Soviet Union declares war on Japan and invades Manchuria. -
Japan formally surrenders, ending World War II.
Having agreed in principle to unconditional surrender on August 14, 1945, Japan formally surrenders, ending World War II.
