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The Start of World War II
On September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Germany bombed Poland on land and from the air, as Adolf Hitler seeked to regain lost territory and ultimately rule Poland http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-invades-poland -
Soviet Troops invade Finland
The Red Army brings 465,000 men and 1,000 aircrafts. Helsinki was bombed and 61 FInns were killed in an air raid. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ussr-attacks-finland -
The Battle of Britain begins
The Germans begin the first in a long series of bombing raids against Great Britain. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-battle-of-britain-begins -
FDR re-elected president
Franklin Delano Roosevelt is re-elected for an unprecedented third term as president of the U.S. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fdr-re-elected-president -
Germany invades Yugoslavia and Greece
The German air force launches Operation Castigo, the bombing of Belgrade. 24 divisions and 1,200 tanks drive into Greece. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-invades-yugoslavia-and-greece -
Operation Barbarossa
Adolf Hitler launched his armies eastward in a massive invasion of the Soviet Union. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Babi Yar massacre begins
The German army carries out Nazi leader Adolf Hitler’s orders to exterminate all Jews and Soviet officials. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/babi-yar-massacre-begins -
Pearl Harbor Bombed
360 Japanese warplanes appeared in the clouds about the island of Oahu. A total of 2,400 americans were killed. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pearl-harbor-bombed -
Singapore Falls to Japan
Singapore, the “Gibraltar of the East” and a strategic British stronghold, falls to Japanese forces. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/singapore-falls-to-japan -
Bataan Death March
75,000 Filipino and American troops on Bataan were forced to make an arduous 65-mile march to prison camps. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march -
Allies Surrender to Tobruk, Libya
General Erwin Rommel turns his assault on the British-Allied garrison at Tobruk, Libya, into victory, as his panzer division occupies the North African port. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/allies-surrender-at-tobruk-libya -
Battle of Kursk
With the Soviet line at Kursk protruding into enemy territory, the Germans attempted to attack from different directions. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-kursk -
D-Day
Allied powers crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of Normandy, France. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/d-day -
MacArthur Returns
After advancing island by island across the Pacific Ocean, U.S. General Douglas MacArthur promises to return to the area he was forced to flee in 1942. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/macarthur-returns -
Battle of the Bulge
On this day, the Germans launch the last major offensive of the war, Operation Mist, an attempt to push the Allied front line west from northern France to northwestern Belgium. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-the-bulge -
Finland declares war on Germany
On this day, Finland, under increasing pressure from both the United States and the Soviet Union, finally declares war on its former partner, Germany. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/finland-declares-war-on-germany -
Victory in Europe
Great Britain and the United States celebrate Victory in Europe day. They were rejoicing in the defeat of the Nazi war machine http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Battle of Okinawa ends
During World War II, the U.S. 10th Army overcomes the last major pockets of Japanese resistance on Okinawa Island, ending one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-okinawa-ends -
Potsdam Conference begins
The final “Big Three” meeting between the United States, the Soviet Union, and Great Britain takes place towards the end of World War II. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/potsdam-conference-begins -
Japan Surrenders
The Japanese navy and air force were destroyed. Japanese's cities and economy were devastated. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/japan-surrenders
