World War II

Japanese Invasion of China

Jul 7, 1937

China fought Japan with help from Germany, the Soviet Union and the United States. This was a military conflict that eventually became part of WWII in a fight or world power. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/

German invasion of Poland

Sep 1, 1939

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ww2_summary_01.shtml Hitler and German troops invade Poland for land/resources, and power. Britain and France then declare war on Germany two days after.

German Blitzkrieg

Sep 25, 1939

This was an airstrike in order to lower the defences before the troops go in and fight. For the invasion of Poland, Germany used this tactic and the damage was catastrophic. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/blitzkrieg_01.shtml

Fall of Paris

Jun 14, 1940

Germany cut off allied units which had advanced into the country of Belgium at the Ardennes. The result was that Frances power was split. Germany got control of the west and the north. France eventually was liberated in 1944. http://www.historynet.com/fall-of-france

Operation Barbarossa

Jun 22, 1941

Turning point for the war. Germany;s failure forced them to fight a two-front war against a coalition that aquired much more powerful resources. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa

Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

Japanese fighter planes attacked the American Naval base. This day will always be remebered as a day of Infamy and the allies of Japan than declared war on the US. Finally, after two years, America has now became part of the war. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor

Wannsee Conference

Jan 20, 1942

organised by Reinhardt Heydrich, the Meeting of senior officials of Nazi Germany. This meeting was to discuss the final solution to Jewish Question. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00mwzb7

Operation Gomorrah

Jul 24, 1943

British bombers raid Hamburg, Germany, by night in Operation Gomorrah, while Americans bomb it by day. These actions continue until November and the Germans soon realize their defeat. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-gomorrah-is-launched

Allied Invasion of Italy

Nov 8, 1943

There was a disagreement among the allies and Italy was a center territory that contained ports and other important resources. this was the final defeat of Nazi Germany. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/8/newsid_3612000/3612037.stm

D-Day [Normandy Invasion]

Jun 6, 1944

D-Day [Normandy Invasion]

Jun 6, 1944

The largest seaborne invasion in history, Liberation of German-occupied northwestern Europe from Nazi control, and this contributed to the Allied victory on the Western Front!! http://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/d-day-the-allied-invasion-of-france.asp

Battle of the Bulge

Dec 16, 1944

This was a major German offensive campaign that was launched through the deeply forested area on the Western Front toward the end of World War II in Europe. This showed a weekness in defensive strategy. http://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/battle-of-the-bulge.asp

Liberation of the Camps

Jan 27, 1945

Allied troops moved across Europe in a series of offensives against Nazi Germany. They eventually came across concentration camps where they liberated prisoners that were starving and facing deadly disease. https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005131

Operation Thunderclap

Feb 13, 1945

The first in a series of large bombings in major cities of eastern Germany, this was basically the final blow. Operation "Thunderclap," was the code name for all the raids. this led to large amount of deaths in several european countries. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/firebombing-of-dresden

Battle of Iwo Jima

Feb 19, 1945

America needed a base on the Japanese Coast. The U.S. mission was to seize the Japanese Airfields. The island was well defended and had many caves and tunnels for defence. Nearly all Japanese defenders are eithedr killed or missing. The island was captured on March 26th http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima

Battle of Okinawa

Apr 1, 1945

This was the last and bloodiest battle of the Pacific War. after 82 days, they fall to allied forces.Japan eventually surrenders. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa

VE Day

May 8, 1945

Great Britain and the US celebrate Victory in Europe Day. Cities put out flags and banners, celebrating the defeat of the Nazi war machine. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe

Dropping of the Atomic Bombs

Aug 6, 1945

The US used the first Atomic Bomb in history.Even though this quite possibly ended the war... some believe it could of led to the Cold War. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atomic-bomb-dropped-on-hiroshima

VJ Day

Aug 15, 1945

Japan surrendered to the allies which helped end WWII. This ended the six year feud between other countries. "Victoryover Japan Day" http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day