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Nazis Invades Poland
At around 5:00 AM, 1.5 million German troops invaded Poland. German planes bombed airfields, U-boats attacked Polish naval forces, and innocent cities were bombed simply to promote terror. In just one week, German forces covered 140 miles and reached the outskirts of Warsaw. The Polish forces tried to resist the invasion, however it was not enough. Polish government and military leaders fled the country the next day.
"Germany Invades Poland." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 01 -
Soviets invade Poland
The Soviets broke the Non Agression Pact and invaded Poland. The Germans had already taken part of Poland. This forced the Polish to retreat eastward. However, that was the direction the Soviets were coming from. As Soviet troops entered Poland, they ran into German troops who made it east to tWarsaw in just over two weeks. The Germans receded when confronted by the Soviets, handing over their POWs.
"Soviet Union Invades Poland." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 01 May 2016. -
Germans Bomb Paris
On June 3 1940, Germany bombed the capital city of Paris. They did this to weaken France's economy and military. 254 people died during this bombing. However the death toll over all of the 1,730 cities bombed around France is 70,000. "Germans Bomb Paris." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 01 May 2016. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-bomb-paris. -
Italy invades Egypt
On September 13 1940, Mussolini had entered Egypt. Italy had a strong presence in Egypt already because he sent farmers there to control overpopulation, so Northern Africa was not new territory. However, British troops were there. This invasion lasted until February. Ultimately, Italy had to surrender.
"Italy Invades Egypt." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 01 May 2016. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/italy-invades-egypt. -
Pearl Harbor
On December 7 1941, 360 Japanese warplanes assaulted the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor. Five of eight battleships, three destroyers, and seven other ships were sunk or severely damaged, and more than 200 aircraft were destroyed. A total of 2,400 Americans were killed and 1,200 were wounded. This is what made us get involved in WWII.
"Pearl Harbor Bombed." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 01 May 2016. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pearl-harbor-bombed. -
Adolf Hitler Commits Suicide
On April 30 1945, Hitler committed suicide by swallowing a cyanide pill as well as shooting himself in the head. In January 1945, facing a siege of Berlin by the Soviets, Hitler withdrew to his bunker to live out his final days. The shelter contained 18 rooms and was fully self-sufficient, with its own water and electrical supply. Hitler continued to give orders in the bunker. "Adolf Hitler Commits Suicide." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 01 May 2016. -
Bombing of Hiroshima
On August 6th 1945, America dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. The reasoning for this was that America would suffer lots of casualties in a land invasion of Japan, so the bomb would be more effective. There were 90,000 buildings in Hiroshima before the bomb was dropped; only 28,000 remained after the bombing. "American Bomber Drops Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 01 May 2016. <http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/american-bomber-drops-
