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Japan invades Manchuria
Japan invaded Manchuria for natural resources to support their growing power. The League of Nations did nothing as they believed it was not an act of war. However, this event was not isolated and was just the first glimpse into the Japanese aggression and potential violence. -
Japan invades China
Tens of thousands were killed in the brutal Japanese invasion of China, often called the "Rape of Nanking." Yet again, the Japanese flaunted their ruthlessness, but even this event was met with only marginal concern by the rest of the world. -
Non-Aggression Pact signed
Germany and the Soviet Union sign a Non-Aggression Pact as an agreement to not attack each other, secretly hoping to split Poland. This "peace pact" is met with much skepticity from the rest of the world. -
Germany invades Poland
Germany took over Poland startlingly quickly. This was possibly due to their blitzkrieg style of battle, and their much larger store of weapons. Despite the massive success, it was not an easy battle; Germany lost nearly 1/4 of its planes. -
Tripartite Pact
This pact, between Germany, Japan, and Italy, formed the alliance of the Axis Powers during World War II. -
End of Battle of Britain
On this date, the Battle of Britain came to an end. It consisted of German fighter planes, known as the Luftwaffe, fighting against the British Royal Air Force. -
Bombing of Pearl Harbor
The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on this date. Japan did this as a protective measure to keep the US Navy from becoming involved in their affairs in the Pacific. Over 3,500 Americans, most of whom were innocent civilians, were killed or wounded. -
Germany and Italy declare war
Hitler, leader of Germany, and Mussolini, leader of Italy, declare war on the United States. -
Battle of Coral Sea
Japanese decided to focus their land lust on Australia, aiming to invade the country. However, America realized how crucial Australia could be, and defeated Japan in their attempt to invade Australia on this date. -
Battle of Midway
This date, the day Japan was horribly defeated in Battle of Midway, was one of the most significant battles in WWII as much of Japan's naval strength was destroyed. -
Battle of Guadalcanal
On this date, US Marines landed at Guadalcanal. The Japanese were defeated in about six months and the United States gained control of their air base. -
German surrender at Stalingrad
By this date, when the Germans surrendered in the Battle at Stalingrad, the battle was considered a turning point in World War II. The battle was brutal and involved a lot of hand-to-hand combat, but one thing that served the most to help defeat the Germans was the Soviet Union's cold, harsh, unforgiving winter. -
Operation Torch
Operation Torch, the first time British and American troops had worked together, was an Allied invasion of North Africa. The Afrika Korps, Hitler's African military, finally surrendered on this date, surrounded by British and American armies. -
D-Day
On this date was D-Day, the Allied invasions of the Normandy region of German-occupied France. Allied forces hoped to gain control of the beaches so supplies could be shipped in, so that they could eventually liberate France. There were many elaborate diversionary attacks happening simultaneously, so at first Hitler refused to send reinforcements because he didn't believe the attack was real. D-Day resulted in a victory for the Allies. -
Battle of the Bulge
This battle was the last major Nazi offensive and was the biggest battle America fought in during WWII (nearly 200,000 men total were killed or wounded). Hitler was able to punch a "bulge" in the Allies' front lines as they began to advance on Germany, but this didn't mesn much. Germany had an extreme lack of fuel and was defeated. -
Hitler commits suicide
On this date, Hitler committed suicide, leaving the Nazi regime virtually leaderless. An Allied victory in the war was imminent. -
V-E Day
V-E Day, or Victory in Europe Day, was the day a surrender treaty was officially signed by German General Jodl, and is considered the day the war in Europe officially ended. -
Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima
On this date, the United States dropped an atomic bomb called Little Boy on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. Almost 200,000 people total were killed, many immediately and others later due to radiation poisoning. -
Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki
Just three days after the Hiroshima bombing, the United States dropped a plutonium bomb on the Japanese city of Nagasaki. About 70,000 people were killed. -
Japan surrenders
On this date, Allied leaders met on the USS Missouri to witness the surrender of Japan.
