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German Invasion of France
The German invasion of France, known as the Battle of France, took place from May 10 to June 25, 1940. During this period, German forces quickly defeated the French and Allied forces. This led to the capture of Paris and the French government's surrender, resulting in the division of France into a German-occupied zone. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-France-World-War-II#ref1 -
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Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima was a World War II conflict between the United States and Japan from February 19 to March 16, 1945. The United States aimed to capture the island to use it as a base for fighter planes and emergency landings for bombers targeting Japan. The battle was provided a strategic advantage for the U.S. in the Pacific. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Battle-of-Iwo-Jima#ref1 -
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Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, fought from April 1 to June 21, 1945, was a major World War II battle between U.S. and Japanese forces on the island of Okinawa. The battle occurred because the U.S. aimed to capture Okinawa as a strategic base for a planned invasion of Japan's home islands. The impact was significant, with heavy casualties on both sides, and it influenced the U.S. decision to use atomic bombs to avoid a costly invasion of Japan. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Battle-of-Okinawa#ref1 -
Pearl Harbor (1941)
On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to weaken U.S. naval power in the Pacific. This attack resulted in significant U.S. military casualties and damage to ships and aircraft. The impact was immediate, as it led to the United States declaring war on Japan the following day and entering into World War II. https://www.britannica.com/event/Pearl-Harbor-attack#ref1 -
Wannsee Conference
The Wannsee Conference was held on January 20, 1942, where Nazi officials planned the "final solution." The conference marked a shift from earlier deportation plans to the systematic extermination of Jews, leading to the Holocaust . This meeting resulted in the coordination of various Nazi agencies to implement the genocide, which involved transporting Jews to concentration camps in Eastern Europe. https://www.britannica.com/event/Wannsee-Conference#ref1 -
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Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway, from June 3 to 6, 1942, was a crucial naval battle in World War II where the U.S. defeated Japan's carrier fleet using aircraft. The battle occurred because Japan aimed to eliminate the U.S. as a strategic power in the Pacific. The impact was significant, as it marked a turning point in the Pacific War, bringing naval parity between the U.S. and Japan and halting Japanese expansion. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Midway#ref1 -
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Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad, from August 23, 1942, to February 2, 1943, was a major confrontation between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad. The battle occurred because Germany aimed to capture Stalingrad to get oil fields and cut Soviet transport links. Its impact was profound, marking a turning point in World War II by depleting German forces and ultimately led to the Soviet offensive push. https://www.britannica.com/list/timeline-of-the-battle-of-stalingrad -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was a 1943 revolt by Polish Jews against Nazi efforts to deport them to extermination camps. It occurred because Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto chose to resist deportation and fight back against the Nazis, despite overwhelming odds. The impact was symbolic, as it demonstrated Jewish resistance and courage, inspiring future acts of defiance against Nazi oppression. https://www.britannica.com/event/Warsaw-Ghetto-Uprising#ref1 -
Operation Gomorrah
Operation Gomorrah was a series of Allied bombing raids on Hamburg, Germany, in July 1943. It was conducted to destroy German industrial capabilities and weaken civilian morale. The impact was devastating, creating a massive firestorm that killed about 40,000 people and left nearly a million homeless. https://www.britannica.com/place/Sodom-and-Gomorrah/Religious-views#ref338366 -
D-Day / Normandy Invasion
D-Day was the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France on June 6, 1944, during World War II. The goal was to establish a strong foothold in Europe to begin liberating it from German control. The success of D-Day marked a turning point in the war, eventually leading to the defeat of Nazi Germany. https://www.britannica.com/event/Normandy-Invasion#ref1 -
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Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was the last major German offensive on the Western Front during World War II, occurring from December 16, 1944, to January 16, 1945. Germany aimed to split the Allied forces and capture the supply port of Antwerp. The offensive ultimately failed, resulting in heavy German losses and weakening their ability to resist further Allied advances. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-the-Bulge#ref1 -
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Liberation of Nazi Concentration Camps
The liberation of Nazi concentration camps began in January 1945 and continued until May 1945. It was part of the Allied effort to defeat Nazi Germany and end World War II. The liberation exposed the horrors of the Holocaust, leading to the prosecution of war criminals and increased global awareness of human rights issues. https://www.britannica.com/event/Holocaust/Jewish-resistance-to-the-Nazis#ref215491 -
VE Day
VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, was on May 8, 1945, marking the surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allies. It signified the end of World War II in Europe. The impact was a wave of celebration across Allied nations and the beginning of post-war recovery efforts. https://www.britannica.com/story/70th-anniversary-of-v-e-day -
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Dropping the Atomic Bombs
The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, during World War II. The aim was to force Japan to surrender quickly and avoid a potentially costly invasion of the Japanese mainland. The impact was devastating, with tens of thousands killed instantly and many more dying later from radiation, leading to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II in the Pacific https://www.britannica.com/event/atomic-bombings-of-Hiroshima-and-Nagasaki#ref1 -
VJ Day
VJ Day, or Victory over Japan Day, occurred on August 15, 1945, when Japan announced its surrender to the Allies. This surrender followed the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which pressured Japan to end the war. The impact was the official end of World War II, celebrated worldwide, and it marked the beginning of post-war reconstruction and geopolitical shifts. https://www.britannica.com/topic/20th-century-international-relations-2085155/The-defeat-of-Japan