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German Blitzkrieg
What Happened: Blitzkrieg is a German military tactic used to create disorganization amongst enemy forces.
Why It Happened: Hitler wanted to conquer the land that Germany lost at the end of WWI.
Impact Of The Event: Invaded Poland, Belgium, Netherlands, and France.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/blitzkrieg -
Pearl Harbor
What Happened: Japanese fighter pilots bombed the US naval base in Honolulu.
Why It Happened: The Japanese and Americans were on opposite sides of the World War.
Impact Of The Event: America officially went to war with Japan.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Wannsee Conference
What Happened: High ranking Nazis met with German government officials to discuss the Final Solution to the Jews.
Why It Happened: Hitler didn't like the Jews.
Impact Of The Event: Some 6 million Jews died as a result.
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/wannsee-conference-and-the-final-solution -
Bataan Death March
What Happened: Japanese soldiers forcefully moved 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war.
Why It Happened: The Japanese needed to mover their prisoners.
Impact Of The Event: Approximately 30,000 prisoners died during the march or at their destination.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march -
Battle of Midway
What Happened: The Japanese and American navy duked it out in the North Pacific.
Why It Happened: It happened because America and Japan were at war.
Impact Of The Event: Massive and permanent damage inflicted to the Japanese navy.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Battle of Stalingrad
What Happened: The Nazis invade Russia after breaking the German-Soviet Nonaggression pact.
Why It Happened: Hitler wants all the land.
Impact Of The Event: More than 800,000 would be dead, wounded, missing, or captured by the end of the event.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
Allied Invasion of Italy
What Happened: The Allies literally went up the Italian mainland, liberating the major cities.
Why It Happened: This happened because Italy was part of the Axis and needed to be stopped.
Impact Of The Event: Italy was liberated, which was a major blow to the Axis.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/allies-invade-italian-mainland -
Normandy Landings
What Happened: The allies invade the German controlled Normandy coast of France.
Why It Happened: This happened because France was conquered by the Nazis.
Impact Of The Event: Many died.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Battle of the Bulge
What Happened: The nazis launched a blitzkrieg through the allied controlled Ardennes forest.
Why It Happened: Hitler is annoying.
Impact Of The Event: US Army suffered over 100,000 casualties.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
What Happened: Allies liberated concentration camps as soon as WWII was brought to a close.
Why It Happened: Concentration camps are bad.
Impact Of The Event: People were freed.
My Brain -
Battle of Iwo Jima
What Happened: America fought for control over the Island of Iwo Jima 750 miles off the coast of Japan.
Why It Happened: Iwo Jima had 3 airfields on it, which could serve as a staging area to invade Japan.
Impact Of The Event: It was the bloodiest battle of WWII.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Battle of Okinawa
What Happened: Americans conquered Okinawa.
Why It Happened: Conquering Okinawa was part of Operation Iceberg to capture the Ryukyu Islands.
Impact Of The Event: Still a pretty bloody battle.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
Victory in Europe Day
What Happened: This was the day in which Nazi Germany was defeated with the death of Adolph Hitler.
Why It Happened: This happened because the end of the war in Europe was very deserving of celebration.
Impact Of The Event: This day is still celebrated.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
What Happened: American made nuclear bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Why It Happened: This happened because the alternative to winning the war would've seen many more casualties.
Impact Of The Event: Japan surrendered soon afterwards.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atomic-bomb-dropped-on-hiroshima -
Victory over Japan Day
What Happened: Shortly after America dropped nuclear warheads over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrendered and the war was officially over.
Why It Happened: Winning the world war warrants celebration, I'd say.
Impact Of The Event: We still celebrate this.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day
