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invasion of poland
Germany invades Poland, leading to the outbreak of World War II in Europe. -
Britain and France declare war
Britain and France declare war on Germany following the invasion of Poland. -
Hitler invades France
German forces invade France, leading to the fall of France in June. -
miracle of Dunkirk
Allied forces evacuate from the beaches of Dunkirk, France, in a massive rescue operation, saving over 330,000 soldiers from encirclement by German forces. -
Battle of Britain
Germany launches air attacks on Britain in an attempt to gain air superiority. -
Pearl Harbor
Japan launches a surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, prompting the United States to enter World War II. -
Battle of Midway
A naval battle between the United States and Japan, resulting in a decisive victory for the US and turning the tide of the war in the Pacific. -
Raid on Dieppe
Allied forces, primarily Canadian, launch a raid on the French port of Dieppe, which ends in heavy casualties and is considered a learning experience for future amphibious operations. -
battle of Stalingrid
A major battle on the Eastern Front between German and Soviet forces, resulting in a decisive victory for the Soviets and a turning point in the war. -
D-Day
Allied forces launch a massive amphibious invasion of Normandy, France, marking the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany in Western Europe. -
end of WWII in Europe
Germany surrenders, marking the end of World War II in Europe. -
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Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The United States drops atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II.