World War II

Nazi Germany Invaded Poland

Sep 1, 1939

With the Nazis' attack on Poland, World War II began.

Sitzkrieg

Sep 3, 1939

In the eight months after the start of World War II, only a single land operation occurred when the French invaded the Western Front.

France Fell to Germany

May 10, 1940

In 46 days, France was defeated by Nazi Germany because of the Nazis superior combat strategy.

Battle of Britain

Jul 10, 1940

This major military campaign was largely between the Royal Air Force of the UK and the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany, which resulted in a British victory after nearly 4 months.

Destroyers-for-Bases Deal

Sep 2, 1940

This agreement between the US and UK involved 50 US Navy destroyers being traded to the Royal Navy in exchange for land rights on British possessions.

American First Committee Launched

Sep 4, 1940

This non-interventionist party was strongly against American entry into World War II, and was somewhat anti-Semitic and fascist.

Congress Instituted the Draft

Sep 16, 1940

The Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 was the 1st peacetime draft in US history, requiring males between 21 and 36 to register for the draft.

Four Freedoms

Jan 6, 1941

This speech issued by US President FDR was meant to clarify the States' opinion on the oppressed, with that opinion being that nobody should have to afraid because of who they are or what they say.

Lend-Lease

Mar 11, 1941

This act was a US program supplying the UK, China, what remained of France, and other Allied nations with food, oil, and war-craft until 1945.

USS Kearny Attacked

Oct 17, 1941

While this American ship was docked in Reykjavik, Iceland, Nazi U-boats attacked it.

Reuben James Sank

Oct 31, 1941

In another Nazi U-boat attack, this American destroyer was sank almost instantly when a torpedo meant for a convoy hit its bow.

Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

This surprise attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service on a US harbor in Hawaii resulted in the US declaring war on Japan and entering World War II.

Bataan Death March

Apr 9, 1942

This mass transfer of Imperial Japan's prisoners of war from the Battle of Bataan resulted in thousands of Filipino and American deaths.

Battle of Coral Sea

May 4, 1942

This major naval between the Imperial Japanese Navy and naval forces of the US and Australia was the first battle in which aircraft carriers battled each other.

Battle of Midway

Jun 4, 1942

This naval battle between Imperial Japan and the US resulted in irreparable damage to the Imperial Japanese fleet and a decisive victory for the States.

Battle of Stalingrad

Aug 23, 1942

This major battle between the USSR and the Axis, which the USSR won decisively, was quite possibly the bloodiest battle in history.

Battle of El Almein

Oct 23, 1942

This battle between the Axis and the Allies took place in Egypt, and was the first major Allied success since late 1941.

Battle of Bataan

Dec 7, 1942

This intense battle during Imperial Japan's invasion of the Philippines was met by Filipino and US forces, ultimately resulting in the Imperial Japanese forces taking control of multiple Filipino islands.

Manhattan Project Began

Dec 28, 1942

This US research and development operation produced the first weapon of mass destruction: the nuclear bomb.

Casablanca Conference

Jan 14, 1943

This conference in French Morocco brought together leaders of the Allied powers to plan new strategies for World War II.

Island Hopping Campaign Begins

Nov 20, 1943

This military strategy involved the Allies concentrating their resources on strategically located islands in order to combat Imperial Japan.

Tehran Conference

Nov 28, 1943

This strategy meeting of Stalin, FDR, and Churchill resulted in the opening of a second front against Nazi Germany.

D-Day

Jun 6, 1944

This Allied invasion of Normandy was the largest seaborne invasion in history; the Allies began liberating northwestern Europe from the Nazis.

MacArthur Returned to the Philippines

Oct 20, 1944

MacArthur, who had left the Philippines after a defeat 2 and half years prior, stayed true to his promise to return to save his imprisoned men.

Battle of the Bulge

Dec 16, 1944

This surprise attack on Nazi Germany in the Western Front resulted in an Allied victory as well as the highest American casualties in World War II.

FDR Elected to a 4th Term

Jan 20, 1945

For the first and only time in US history, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected President of the United States for the fourth time.

Yalta Conference

Feb 4, 1945

This conference of "The Big Three" was aimed at shaping a post-war peace and providing assistance to post-Nazi Europe.

Battle of Iwo Jima

Feb 19, 1945

This major land battle between the US Marine Corps and the Imperial Japanese Army resulted in US capture of the island Iwo Jima from Imperial Japan.

Battle of Okinawa

Apr 1, 1945

This major battle between US forces and Imperial Japanese forces resulted in a victory for the Allies and US occupation of Okinawa until 1972.

FDR Died / Harry Truman Became President

Apr 12, 1945

After suffering a cerebral hemorrhage, President FDR died in office, making VP Harry Truman the acting President of the United States.

VE Day

May 8, 1945

Victory in Europe Day was declared to celebrate the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany, officially ending World War II in Europe.

Potsdam Conference

Jul 17, 1945

This conference between the leaders of the Allies was aimed to decide the repercussions of Nazi Germany's actions during World War II.

Little Boy Dropped on Hiroshima

Aug 6, 1945

This bombing was the first in history to involve an atomic warhead, resulting in the deaths of 66,000 deaths and 69,000 injuries (with most of both deaths and injuries being sustained by civilians).

Fat Man Dropped on Nagasaki

Aug 9, 1945

Although the original target for the bomb was Kokura, ash clouds from a firebombing raid caused the bomber plane to change its course to Nagasaki and drop the atomic payload, resulting in 60,000-80,000 deaths.

VJ Day

Sep 2, 1945

Victory over Japan Day was declared after Imperial Japan surrendered, officially ending World War II.

Nuremberg Trials

Nov 20, 1945

This series of military tribunals held by the Allies was designed to punish the leaders of the Axis, specifically the Nazi leaders responsible for war crimes such as the Holocaust.

Japanese War Crime Trials

Apr 29, 1946

This military tribunal tried the leaders of Imperial Japan for war crimes committed during World War II.