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Treaty of Versailles
Ends World War I and puts severe restrictions on Germany and named Germany responsible for the war. Germany was not a fan. -
Japan Invades China
Japan invades China, initiating World War II in the Pacific. -
The Night of Broken Glass
Over the course of two days 250 synagogues were burned, 7,000 Jewish businesses were trashed and looted, dozens of Jewish people were killed, and Jewish cemeteries, schools, hospitals and homes were robbed. The authorities stood by during all of this. It is called "The Night of Broken Glass" because of all the store windows broken. -
World War II Begins
Nazi Germany invades Poland hoping to regain lost territory and ultimately rule Poland. -
Rationing Begins
Official rationing begins with bacon. butter and sugar. This was started in Great Britain and continued all over the world with more items. -
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Germany Invades Denmark and Norway
Denmark surrenders on the day of attack, but Norway holds out until June 9th. -
Tripartite Pact
Germany, Italy and, Japan sign the pact. The pact is basically considering these countries allies for the war. -
The Bombing of Pearl Harbor
Japan launches a surprise attack on the USA in Honolulu, Hawaii, on a naval base. Nearly 2,000 Americans killed and 1,000 injured. The attack lasted about two hours. -
Nazi Germany and its Axis Partners
Declare war on the United States of America. -
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Bringing the War Home to Germany
The British bomb Köln (Cologne), bringing the war home to Germany for the first time. Over the next three years Anglo-American bombing reduces urban Germany to rubble. -
Some Axis Surrender
The Axis group in Tunisia surrender to the Allies ending the North African Campaign. -
The Allies and Sicily
US and British troops land on Sicily and have complete control over the island by mid August. -
Liberation of Kiev
Soviet troops liberate Kiev -
D Day
The day the Allied powers crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of Normandy, France to start the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control. -
Final Soviet Offensive Attack
The Soviets launch their final offensive attack, encircling Berlin. -
Hitler is found
Hitler commits suicide. -
Germany Surrenders
Germany surrenders to the Western Allies on May 7th -
Victory in Europe (V-E Day)
Countries in Europe and the USA celebrate the defeat / surrender of the Nazis on this day. -
Germany Surrenders for the Last Time
Germany surrenders to the Soviets -
Japan Surrenders
Japan surrenders to the Allies bring an end to World War II.