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Japanese forces invaded Manchuria.
On September 18, 1931, Japanese forces invaded Manchuria. They were determined to extend their empire. They claimed they were chinese soldiers and sabbatoged the railway. The chinese however, did not fight back because they knew that the Japanese just wanted an excuse to invade Manchuria. -
Hitler and Mussolini create the Rome-Berlin Axis.
The Rome-Berlin Axis was created on November 1, 1936. Benito Mussolini announced that Germany and Italy had come to an informal agreement that if war broke out, they would fight for each other. This axis set the stage for the second World War. -
World War 2 officially begins.
On September 1, 1939, war broke out. Germany invaded Poland. Britain and France then declared war on Germany on Septemeber 3, 1939. Poland was later defeated. -
Brititsh cities are bombed by the Germans.
The British bombed the British cities of Norway and Denmark on August 1, 1940. They then began attacking Western Europe. Because of this attack, France was enfluenced to signed an armistice with Germany. -
Japan bombs Peral Harbor.
On December 7, 1941, Japan dropped bombs on Peral Harbor. This caused the United States to feel the need to become involved. The United States then immediately declared war on Japan. Later, on December 11, 1941, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. causing the war to spread. -
The Germans are defeated at Stalingrad.
The Germans were defeated on Ferbruary 2, 1943. This stopped the german advance into the Soviet Union and was a turning point battle. After this battle, the war became in favor of the Allies. The Battle of Stalingrad is one of the bloodiest battles in world history. There were almost 2 million deaths! -
The Battle of Normandy.
D-day video On June 6, 1944, 156,000 Allied forces landed on five beaches along the coast of Normandy, France. Normandy was very heavily armed. This invasion is one of the largest military assults in history. The day of this attack is know as D-day. This is sometimes called the begining of the end of the war. -
The first US troops crossed into Germany.
On September 11, 1944, the first US troops stepped foot in Germany. Almost a month later, soviet troops crossed the eastern border. The Germans then go on to launch and unsucessful conterattack on Belgium, called the Battle of the Bulge. -
Adolf Hitler commits suicide.
On April 30, 1945 Hitler climed into a bunker with his wife and dogs.This bunker was 50 feet underground and was originally used for meetings with Hitlers military. Hitler first poisoned his wife, then his dogs, then himself. Hitler then proceeded in shooting himself in this bunker. -
Germany surrenders.
On May 7, 1945, Germany surrenderd to the western Allies. Two days later, on May 9, 1945, Germany surrendered to the Soviets. This makes the Allies realize that the end of the war is near. -
The United States drops atomic bombs.
On August 6, 1945, the US dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Three days later, on August 9th, they dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki. These atomic bombs were exceptionally destructive and left long term effects. -
Japan formally surrendered.
Japan agreed to unconditional surrender on August 14th. But on September 2, 1945, Japan formally surrendered. This was the official ending of World War 2!
