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World War Two
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Germany invades Poland
Germany invades Poland, leading to Britain and France declaring war on Germany. This marks the beginning of World War Two in Europe. -
German U-Boats sink Merchant Ships
German U-boats begin attacking merchant ships, which causes the Battle of the Atlantic. The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest battle of World War Two, lasting until the end of 1944. -
Vichy France begins
External Link France signed an armistace with Germany. Germany controlled part of France, which was named Vichy France. Vichy France lasted intul mid-1944. -
Battle for Britain
External Site Germany attempted to take over Britain by air attacks, but the British Royal Air Force proved to be strong enough to hold off the Germans. This was a turning point in the war because it was the first time Germany had lost a serious battle. -
Japan joins Axis
Japan signed the Pripartite Pact to join with Germany and Italy to form the Axis Powers. This is very important because it established one major side of the War. -
Hitler breaks non-aggression pact
Hitler broke the Non-Aggression pact and invaded the Soviet Union, beginning Operation Barbarossa. Stalin was given several warnings by the Germans, but refused to do anything. Within six months, the Soviet Union suffered 4.3 million casualties. -
FDR approves "shoot on sight"
Franlin Roosevelt orders American ships to "shoot on sight" at any German boats. This started an unofficial war in the Pacific before American joined World War Two. -
Pearl Harbor Attack
External Link Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese, pushing America into the war -
Japanese Ambassadors to US
Ambassadors were sent from Japan to try to resolve issues before entering the war. The ambassadors were supposed to warn America about the attack, but it did not come until after it happened. -
War declared on US
Just days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Germany and Italy declare war on the United States. This is when the two sides of the war became clear. -
MacArthur promises to return
General MacArthur promised to the Philipinos after being deported that he wuuld return. MacArthur promised that he would come back and help the Philipinos defeat the Japanese. Later that year, MacArthur fulfilled his promise and came back. -
Bataan Death March
The Japanese made Allied soldiers go on a "death march" after their loss in the Battle of Bataan. The soldiers were abused and murdered on their march to Camp O'Donnell, a POW camp. -
Battle of Coral Sea
This was the first battle that used aircraft carriers. This battle took place off the eastern coast of New Guinea. -
The first battle of Midway
The first battle of Midway was fought a month after the Battle of Coral Dea, and about 6 months after Pearl Harbor. The Japanese planned this offensive against the US, but the Japanese code was broken so the American troops could prepare and win the battle. -
Battle of Guadalcanal
The Battle of Guadalcanal was the first major offensive made by the Allies against Japan. This was the last time Japan would try to take any islands around Guadalcanal. -
General Esisenhower and his troops land in North Africa
The US troops went to North Africa before Europe to eliminate the Axis powers. This was imporatant because it lessened the power of the Axis and helped to strengthen the Allies as America was just joining the war. -
End of the Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was a major battle fought between Germany and the Soviet Union. The battle was a turning point of the war, as the Soviet Union was successful -
Sicily Falls
Also called "Operation Husky", the Allies took another major city from the Axis powers. This capture began the Italian Campaign. -
Rome falls
External Link Rome was the first Axis capital captured by the Allies. This was a very important vctory as it shattered the confidence of the Axis powers. -
D-Day
Also called "Operation Overlord", the Allied forces land on the beaches at Normandy (France) and surprised the Germans. This proved Eisenhowers ability to plan an attack. -
MacArthur returns
General MacArthur stayed trued to his promise and returned to the Philippines -
Kamikaze attacks begin
Japan began using Kamikze attacks, which are basically suicide attacks. Japan realized that they were losing the war, so they were willing to try anything. -
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was won by the Allies, but the German troops almost broke through a weak spot in the Allied line. More than 100,000 German troops died, and about 80,000 Allied troops died. -
US flag raised on Mt. Suribachi
The American flag was raised on Mt Suribachi in Iwo Jima. The pictures is recognized nationally today -
Truman takes office
After the death of Franklin Roosevelt, Truman was sworn into office as the 33rd President. -
Hitler Dies
After defeat of the Germans, Hitler killed himself along with his wife. His death was just two days after the assassination of Mussolini. -
V-E Day
Victory in Europe day is celebrated to remember when Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allied powers. This ended World War Two in Europe. -
Okinawa taken
During the Allied Campaign on the Japanese islands, Okinawa was captured by the Allies for an air base -
Hiroshima Bombing
On this day, the first bomb was sent to Hiroshima from the US in order to make Japan surrender. The bomb "little boy" hit the ground and immediately killed more than 70,000 people. Japan was supposed to surrender, but did not. -
Nagasaki
On this day, the second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki by the Americans. The bomb "Fat Boy" killed approx. 40,000-70,000 people immediately. Shortly afte this bombing, Japan surrendered and ended World War Two. -
V-J Day
Victory over Japan day is celebrated on this day because it is the day that the Japanese surrender was aired over the radio -
Japan formally surrenders
External Link Japan surrenders to the Allies on the USS Missouri. This occured aboutt two weeks after an informal surrender announced on the radio. This officially ended World War Two.
