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Hitler Becomes Chancellor
Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany. -
U.S. Against Japan
In the United States, popular support for American action against Japan far exceeds support for action against Nazi Germany -
Hitler Defeats France
Britain forces retreat from France and Adolf Hitler's armies defeat French forces -
Germany Invades Soviet Union
Germany invades the Soviet Union violating the Nonaggression Pact. U.S. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson estimates that it will take Hitler less than three months to conquer the Soviet Union -
Japan Ignores US Requests
Japan dismisses American demands to withdraw forces from China -
Pearl Harbor
Japanese fighter planes attack the American base at Pearl Harbor destroying U.S. aircraft and naval vessels, and killing 2,355 U.S. servicemen and 68 civilians. -
US At War
Germany and Italy, Japan's axis partners, declare war on the United States. The United States declares war on Germany, Italy, and Japan -
FDR Dies
President Franklin D. Roosevelt dies of a cerebral hemorrhage in Warm Springs, Georgia. -
Hitler commits suicide
Adolf Hitler commits suicide in Berlin -
Hiroshima
The United States drops an atomic bomb—the first to be used in warfare—on Hiroshima, killing 75,000 people instantly, and injuring more than 100,000 -
Nagasaki
A second atomic bomb is dropped in Nagasaki. -
Tokyo Petitions for Peace
Tokyo asks for peace on the condition that Emperor Hirohito will retain his throne. The Allies accept. -
World War II Ends
A formal surrender ceremony is conducted in Tokyo Bay on the U.S. battleship Missouri. World War II officially ends.