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Invasion of Poland
The Invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign or the 1939 Defensive War, was a joint invasion of Poland by Germany and the Soviet Union. It was first began by the German troops on the first of September and then continued by the Soviets sixteen days later. The campaign was ended on October 6th after it was divided and annexed between the two countries. -
France and Great Britain declare war on Germany
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Winston Churchill
Following the resignation of Neville Chamberlain on 10 May, 1940, Churchill became Prime Minister of Great Britain. -
Operation Weserübung
From April 9th to June 9th of 1940, Germany invades and takes control of both Denmark and Norway, codenamed Operation Weserübung. -
Blitzkrieg
From May 22nd to June 22nd, Germany used a series of quick strikes appropriately named blitzkrieg (lightning war) to take over much of Western Europe, including the Netherlands, Belgium and northern France. -
Italy Enters the War
Italy enters the war as a member of the Axis powers, declaring war on France and Great Britain. -
Signing of the Tripartite Pact
Germany, Italy, and Japan sign the Tripartite Pact creating the Axis Alliance. -
End of the Battle of Britain
First beginning on the 10th of July in 1940, the Battle of Britain is the air campaign waged by the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) against Great Britain during the summer and autumn of 1940. It ended with a decisive British victory. -
Invasion of the Soviet Union
Germany and the Axis Powers attack Russia with a huge force of over four million troops. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Two weeks before 1942, the Japanese military launched a surprise attack on the United States of America's naval base, Pearl Harbor.The attack was a major tactical Japanese victory and led to the US's entry from World War II. -
Battle of Midway
The US Navy defeats the Japanese Navy at the Battle of Midway. -
Battle of Stalingrad
From the 23rd of August 1942 to the 2nd of February 1943, the Battle of Stalingrad waged in which Germany and its allies fought the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad. The battle ended with a decided Soviet victory, -
Invasion of Sicily
The Allies invade and take the island of Sicily. -
The Normandy Landings
The codename of Operation Neptune refers to the landing operations on June 6th, 1944, which is also termed as D-Day. It was the largest seaborne invasion in history, and a major victory for the Allies. -
Paris Liberated
Paris liberated from German control. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
During the battle of Iwo Jima, the United States military landed and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese Imperial Army. -
The Death of FDR
Franklin D. Roosevelt, the president of the United States, dies and is succeeded by Harry S. Truman. -
Death of Adolf Hitler
Hitler commits suicide, knowing that Germany has lost the war. -
Victory in Europe Day
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Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The first atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima, Japan on August 6th, 1945 by the United States. When Japan refused to surrender, a second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki three days later, on August 9th. -
Surrender of Japan
Japan surrenders to General Douglas MacArthur and the Allies.