World War II

Hitler Becomes Chancellor

Jan 30, 1933

Adolf Hitler, leader of the Nazi party and main cause of World War II, becomes chancellor of Germany.

Nuremberg Laws

Sep 16, 1935

Nuremberg Laws put in place to limit Jews freedoms and eventually get rid of them.

Neutrality Act

May 1, 1937

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Neutrality Act, which bans travel on belligerent ships, forbids the arming of American merchant ships trading with belligerents, and issues an arms embargo with warring nations.

Hitler Man of the Year

Jan 2, 1938

Time Magazine pronouces Adolf Hitler the man of the year in 1938

Kristallnacht

Nov 10, 1938

"The Night of Broken Glass" German Nazis went through streets destroying Jewish homes and stores. They tried to make it seem like an accident.

No Aid for Allies

Jan 5, 1939

US Senate denies president's request to aid Britain and France economically in case of war.

Hitler Annexes Czechoslovakia

Mar 15, 1939

Hitler promises and accomplishes securing the Suedetenland.

Invasion of Poland

Sep 1, 1939

Germans invaded Poland, marking the beginning of World War II.

Auschuwitz Opens

May 1, 1940

Mass murder of Jewish people at Auschwitz concentration camp begins.

Battle of Britain

Jul 10, 1940

British victory in Battle of Britain forces Hitler to postpone invasion plans. Proves that Hitler can be beat.

First Concentration Camp Draft

Oct 29, 1940

First group of Jews are sent to concentration camps.

The Bombing of Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

Japanese surprised attacked Americans at the naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

United States at War

Dec 11, 1941

Germany, Italy, and Japan (Axis) declare war on United States. US declares war on them as well. (joins Allies)

Battle of Midway

Jun 4, 1942

American naval victory at Battle of Midway, in June, marks turning point in Pacific War.

Stalingrad

Aug 23, 1942

Surrender at Stalingrad marks Germany's first major defeat.

D-Day

Jun 6, 1944

Allied troops fought the Nazi Germans on the shores of Normandy, France. The gained a foothold in Normandy and lost 9,000 troops.

Liberation

Jan 27, 1945

Auschwitz liberated by Soviet troops.

Hitler Dead

Apr 30, 1945

Hitler, his wife, and his kids commit suicide and have their bodies burned so Allied troops couldn't touch them.

VE Day

May 8, 1945

Victory in Europe Day. The Germans surrender unconditionally by force meaning they couldn't surrender fighting to only one side. (the west and the east)

Surrender of Japan

Sep 2, 1945

Japanese surrender after invaded by Allied forces