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Mao Zedong Leads Long March
This march saved Zedong and the communists from an attack by the Guomingdang. He and the Red Army traveled away from Xiang and arrived at their destination Yanaan. Less than 10,000 survived the march. -
Germany invades Poland; Britain and France declare war on Germany
Although before this event Hitler had defied the Treaty of Versailes by annexing Austria, taking over the Rhineland, and taking over the Sudetenland, this was when the other countries actually started to do something about it. Even though Britain and France declared war, Hitler's blitzkrieg tactic allowed him to conquer Poland before they could send troops. -
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor
Out of complete surprise, Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor. Yamamoto led the attack and, since he studied at Harvard, knew it was a stupid idea. After Pearl Harbor the United States entered the war. -
Allies use atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasake
The United States wanted to beat Japan, obviously, but didn't want to invade. In the Manhatten Project they developed two bombs that could wipe out cities. They dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasake and Japan quickly surrendered. -
Germany surrenders
The Allies put up a brilliant attack at d-day that completely surprised the Axis powers. They were able to close in on Berlin and Hitler commited suicide. Soon after, Germany surrendered.