-
Nazi Party takes full control of Germany
July 14, 1934 In Germany, legislation is passed making the Nazi party the only legal political party. -
Japan and Germany sign Anti-Comiterm Pact
November 25, 1936 Japan and Germany sign an anti-communist agreement against the Third (Communist) International, known as the Anti-Comiterm Pact. -
Jews are Eliminated from German Economy
April 21, 1938 Jews eliminated from the economy in Germany. Government owns all belongings and property. -
German Invasion of Poland
September 1, 1939 invasion of Poland by the Germans, Soviets, and a small Slovak contingent that marked the beginning of World War II. Campaign ends on October 6, 1939 when Germany and the Soviet Union divided and annexed most of Poland. -
War on Germany
September 3, 1939 Britain declares war on Germany at 11 am, France declares war on Germany six hours later at 5 pm. -
Germany invades Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg
May 10, 1940 Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg are invaded by Germany. British troops enter Belgium. Winston Churchill becomes British Prime Minister. -
Atlantic Charter is Established
August 11, 1941 WInston Churchill and FDR form the Atlantic Charter, establishing the war aims of both nations. -
The Attacks on Pearl Harbor
December 7, 1941 Japanese forces attack American naval base at Pearl Harbor by plane, leaving over 2,300 Americans as casualties. The U.S.S. Arizona and U.S.S. Oklahoma were destroyed along with 12 ships in total and 9 other vessels. Over 160 aircraft were damaged and 150 others damaged. -
Battle of Coral Sea
May 4-8: Battle of Coral Sea. -
Battle of Midway
June 3-6: Battle of Midway Island. -
Battle of Guadalcanal
November 6-15 The Battle of Guadalcanal resulted in heavy losses on both sides, eventually resulting in a United States victory. -
D-Day
June 6, 1944 160,000 Allied troops invade the heavily fortified Normandy beach in France. Over 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft aided the invasion which resulted in an Allied victory in Normandy. About 9,000 Allied troops were severely wounded, but over 100,000 proceeded from Normandy further into Europe to face Hitler. -
German Retreat from Normandy
August 12 1944 Germans in retreat from Normandy. -
FDR is Elected to his Fourth Term
November 7: FDR is elected for his fourth term and replaces Henry Wallace with Harry Truman as his vice-president. -
Yalta Conference
February 4 1945 Americans enter Manila: Yalta Conference. -
Hitler's Suicide
May 1: Hitler commits suicide. -
V-E Day (Victory in Europe)
May 8, 1945 Ratification in Berlin of official German surrender signed in Rheims on May 7. German defeat occurred after Hitler's death in Berlin, which fell to the Russians. May 8 marks the formal celebration of the Allied victory of WWII. -
UN Charter is Signed
June 26 1945 United Nations charter is signed -
Hiroshima Atomic Bomb
August 5 1945 Atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima. -
Surrender of Japan
In a formal ceremony aboard the U.S.S. Missouri Japan formally surrendered to U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, officially ending WWII.
