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Kristallnacht (Night of broken glass)
After a German diplomat was assassinated by a Jewish minor, the Nazis destroyed over 7000 Jewish shops and more than 1,200 synagogues. 91 Jews were killed and 30,000 were sent to concentration camps. -
Nazi invasion of Poland
After Axis forces claimed that Poles had sabotaged military efforts along the German-Pole border, Germany, the Soviet Union and a small contingent of Slovakia decided to invade Poland, jump starting World War II. -
Italy invades France
In an attempt to establish a greater Axis area, Italy decides to invade France and the surrounding areas. After 15 days, Italy succeeds. France did not want to fight with Italy. In fact, British flyers had dropped flyers in Rome stating that, "France has nothing against you. Drop your arms and France will do the same." This established the war between Italy and Great Britain. -
Kanalkampf
In early July, the Axis forces started air bombing British cities, most notably London, in an attempt to take control of the southern UK. These attempts failed. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
After the US declared an embargo on Japan, the Japanese had planned to give a declaration of war 30 hours before the attack was to commence, but the attack was launched before the declaration could be given. After this attack, the US officially entered the war. -
Battle of Stalingrad
A battle between the Russians and the Axis in the Russian city of Stalingrad, on the European border. The Axis seemed to have pushed back the Russians, but became trapped between enemy forces and the Volga river. They ended up either freezing or starving to death, or surrendering. The battle ended up being a Soviet victory. -
Invasion of Normandy (D-Day)
In the Allies attempt to cut off the Axis from outside of Europe, the Allies attempted to invade northern France from the beaches of Normandy. The Allies entered on that stormy day from amphibious vehicles, and then struggled to cross the obstacle laden beach. They didn't capture the beach on the first day as planned, but after a period of time, they established a much needed foothold on the region. -
Battle of Iwo Jima.
In attempts to take over the entire island of Iwo Jima, including it's three airfields, American Navy and Marines launched an assault on the island and after 36 days, the Americans had captured it. The most common object that comes to mind when you hear Iwo Jima, is this picture called, "Raising the flag on Iwo Jima". What most people don't know is that this photo is actually staged. -
Death of Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini was executed by Italian civilian soldiers after being captured trying to escape Italy and heading for Switzerland. Mussolini and his mistress were shot. Afterwards they were transported to Milan, and were throw off the train in the courtyard. They were then pelted with vegetables, spit, urine, bullets and physically assaulted. They were then hung on meat hooks, to protect from the mob. Later, American forces came and demanded an autopsy. -
Death of Adolf Hitler
After Hitler learned that Soviet forces were only about 500 feet away from his bunker, he and his wife went into the bunker, and an hour later, the two committed suicide by pistol and cyanide capsule. Per their request, they were taken upstairs and burned with petrol for several hours. -
European surrender.
Also known as "Victory in Europe Day", on May 8th, three representatives of the German army signed the official surrender papers, ending the war in Europe. -
Atomic bombing of Hiroshima
After the Germans surrendered in Europe, the USA wanted Japan to follow suit, instead of an invasion of Japan. Japan wanted nothing to do with it. After the Manhattan project succeeded, the US equipped the atomic bomb "Little Boy" and dropped it over the Japanese city of Hiroshima, in effect to sort of scare the Japanese into a surrender. 90-146 thousand people were killed in Hiroshima from the bombs, most casualties coming on the day it was dropped. -
Atomic bombing of Nagasaki
16 hours after the events of Hiroshima, Truman called for Japan to surrender or, "expect a rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth". After the Japanese refused to comply, they dropped a second atomic bomb, this time on the city of Nagasaki. 39-80 thousand people died in Nagasaki, again most of them coming on the first day. Six days later, the Japanese surrendered, ending the war.
