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Hitler Invades Poland
Germany Invades Poland, Setting off what would be known as World War II. -
U-boats sink merchant vessels
Germany sunk the first merchant vessel carrying allied supplies on this day. -
Japan joins Axis
Japan officially announces their alliance in the axis, with Italy and Germany. -
Vichy France begins*
After Germany's capture of France, Hitler decided to get back at France by forcing a government down their throught, like France had done to Germany after WWI. -
Battle for Britain
Germany attack Britain in an attempt to gain air superiority, but was ultimately unsucessful and just secured Britains air superiority. -
Hitler breaks Non-Aggression agreement and invades the Soviet Union
Hitler breaks the Non-Aggression pact it had formed with Russia, stabbing Russia in the back and invading. -
FDR approves “shoot on sight”
After the sinking of a US destroyer (USS Greer) by a German submarine, Roosevelt goes on his fireside chat and angrily declares that for the defense of the US, the US will shoot on sight any crafts in its perimeter. -
Pearl Harbor attacked
Pearl Harbor (a US navy base) was attacked by the Japanese, as a surprise attack while US-Japanese negotiations were still going on. This lead to the US entrance into WWII on the side of the Allies. -
Japanese ambassadors arrive in Washinton, DC
Japanese ambassasdors came to the US to negotiate, the Pearl Harbor attack commenced before they were done. -
Germany and Italy declare war on US
Germany and Italy declare war on the US after the Japanese attacked the US at Pearl Harbor. -
Bataan death march
The transfer of many US and Filipino prisoners of war by the Japenese after they were captured during the Battle of the Phillipines. -
Battle of Coral Sea
A major naval battle between the US (and Australia) and Japan, the Japanese wanted to progress in their placement at sea by attacking the US. -
General Eisenhower and his forces land in North Africa
Eisenhower heads to North Africa to lead the attack their to secure North Africa for the Allies. -
Battle of Midway
The US beat the Japanese Navy in an attack by the Japanese, leading to a great strategic win by the US. -
Guadalcanal
A major offensive compaign by the Allies, an attempt to supress Japanese Axis forces. -
MacArthur promises to return
MacArthur (A US Army General) promises to return to Bataan. (and he did) -
End of Battle of Stalingrad
The end of the German attack on the Russian city, Stalingrad. The German forces lost and were forced to retreat. -
Sicily falls
The Allied forces prevail over the Axis at Sicily, causing the retreat of German and Italian forces from Sicily. -
Rome falls
This fall of Rome symbolized the fall of Fascist Italy, and the increasing success of the Allied forces. This began the downfall of the Axis. -
D-Day
A large scale amphibious attack by the US and Allied forces, a large victory for the Allied forces and lead to the Allied recapture of France. -
Kamikaze attacks begin
The first official kamikaze attack by the Japense was used. Kamikaze attacks were used by the Japanese after a Read Admiral and 100 men used it tactic. -
MacArthur returns
MacArthur returns to the Phillipines, in the Battle of Leyte. Leading into the island hopping strategy that the Allies used (MacArthur) to defeat the Japanese. -
Battle of the Bulge
A major offensive manuever by the dying Nazi Germany, in an attempt to make a last stand. It was fought through heavily forested Belgium. It was named the Battle of the Bulge because of the shape the German forces made against the Allied Barriers. -
US flag raised on Mt. Suribachi
After the battle of Iwo Jima, the US forces raised a flag on a mountain at Iwo Jima called Mt. Suribachi. A photographer captured this moment and it has become iconic for military forces and the US in general. -
Truman becomes president
Truman became President after Roosevelt died in office, and was faced with my trials and problems, such as if to drop the atom bomb or not. -
Hitler commits suicide
After it was clear the Germany was going to lose WWII and Hitler would pay for his war crimes, Hitler killed himself as Germany was overrun by the Allied forces. Hitler also killed his dog and his new wife. -
V-E Day
The Allied forces accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany and ended the Third Reich of Germany. The military surrender of Germany was on the previous day. -
Okinawa taken
After the Battle of Okinawa was an amphibious assualt on the Japanese by Allied forces that ended in an Allied victory. This was a crucial battle and enabled the Allied forces onto the Japanese mainland. -
Hiroshima
The United States of an America issued a ultimatum to the Japanese and dropped a bomb on Hiroshima. The Bomb's name was Little Boy. -
Nagasaki
The United States of an America issued a ultimatum to the Japanese and dropped a bomb on Nagasaki. The Bomb's name was Fat Man. -
V-J Day
The date known as V-J day differs between countries, the date listed here is the one celebrated in Japan. Victory in Japan day means that the people were glad that WWII was over and they were celebrating. -
Formal Surrender of Japan
Aboard the USS Missouri Japan signed a formal agreement of unconditional surrender. The Allied forces had won World War II.
