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Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor
Was the first foreign attack on American soil, where a surprise attack from Japanese fighter jets, killing 2,403. The event really resonated with the American people, who were absolutely furious at an attack on their soil. It led to widespread public support in a war effort. The main reason the attack on Pearl Harbor is so important is because it is the event that drove the US out of isolation. The reason that we joined WW2. -
D-Day
A term used by the allied forces to refer to the invasion of Normandy. Was the largest sea invasion in history, including aircraft, landing crafts, and ships. Hundreds of thousands on both sides ended up dying, but the mission was widely successful. D-day is so important because it signifies the beginning of the end for Hitler, right around the end of WW2. This victory helped lock in the overall win for the Allies. -
Potsdam Conference
Was the end of World War Two, and consisted of US President Truman going to Germany to negotiate terms. All aspects of German industry that could possible be used in war were to be disarmed. As well as dividing Germany into 4 occupation zones. Important as it completely crippled Germany and neutralized them as a threat, ending WW2. -
Creation of the United Nations
Literally called United Nations day, the formation of the UN took around a year to complete. Involved 50 countries including Soviets, and the United States. The main 5 were China, France, the United States, the Soviet Union, and Great Britain, who all had veto power and were permanent members. The reason the formation of the United Nations was so important was because it was revolutionary in international relations. The organization looked to protect human rights and encourage development -
Truman Doctrine
The principle that the US should give support to countries that are threatened by communist insurrection. Meaning they would give supplies and other goods to countries in order to prevent civil wars. Attempted to slow the spread of communism throughout Europe and was signed by US President Truman. The Truman Doctrine is mainly important because it is seen as the start of the Cold War. The explicit attempts to weaken the Soviet Union movement -
NATO Creation
The formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which included 12 countries. Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and The United Kingdom signed the treaty during the conception. All wanted to ensure collective security against the Soviet Union. It was important as it signified the first time the US entered an alliance outside the Western Hemisphere during peacetime. -
Soviet Union Obtains Nuclear Weapons
The soviet union had been looking to get their hands on nuclear weapons for years. The main objective was to catch up to the USA, who had nuclear weapons 10 years prior in 1939. Finally made the Soviets feel like they had the man power to go to war. This is important as it instilled fear into the entire world, now a communist country had access to the most powerful weapons in the world. -
China Becomes Communist
On this date, Chinese communist leader Moa Zedong declared the creation of the Peoples Republic of China. After many years of a civil war between the Communist party and the nationalist Kuomintang. The change of China into a communist state had detrimental effects. The main reason it is important is because it caused the US to completely suspend diplomatic relations with China. China also sided with the Soviets during the Cold War. -
Sputnik Launched
The USSR launched the very first man made object to orbit the Earth, dubbed "Sputnik." It started the Soviet Space era, and was built by their space program. Scared Americans and the world, as they thought that they had fallen behind to the USSR in developing technology. Important as it was the first instance of man made space exploration ever. Also begun the space race between the USSR and the USA. -
Explorer I Launched
The US made huge strides as they developed their first satellite, and the first satellite with science instruments on it. It launched for the first time January 31, 1958. And officially marked the beginning of the United States space age. This was important as the US managed to catch up to the Soviet Union, who had launched 2 satellites before them.