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Hitler Becomes Chancellor of Germany
Hitler became the Chancellor of Germany on this date, but it would be another 19 months before he achieved absolute power. This marked the beginning of the thousand year Reich. Info and Photo: http://www.historyinanhour.com/2010/01/30/hitler-becomes-chancellor/ -
Germany invades Poland
Warsaw surrendered to Germany after heavy bombing and shelling. This marks the beginning of WWII. Info and Photo: https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005070 -
Winston Churchill Becomes Leader of British Government
Winston Churchill replaced Neville Chamberlain as prime minister of Great Britain, after Chamberlain proved to be ill-equipped to save Europe from Nazi conquest. Info: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/churchill-becomes-prime-minister
Photo: https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/winston-churchill-timeline -
Italy Enters WWII
Italy joined WWII on the Axis side after France's defeat became apparent. Just weeks after, Hitler decided he would attack the Soviet Union in the Spring. Info & Photo: https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.phpModuleId=10005177 -
Battle of Britain
British and German air forces clashed in the skies above the U.K, in what was the largest locked bombing campaign to that date. The war ended after Germany's Luftwaffe failed to be superior to the Royal Air Forces, so Britain won by default. Info: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-britain
Photo: https://sites.google.com/a/ccsd1schools.net/ww-ii-battles/battle-of-britain -
Axis Powers Break Non-Aggression Pact
The Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany as Europe headed into WWII. Stalin (Soviet leader) did this to remain peaceful with Germany until he builds his military up, and Hitler did it so he could invade Poland unopposed. Info: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/german-soviet-nonaggression-pact -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Just before 8 a.m Japanese forces attacked one of the largest U.S naval bases - Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. The brawl lasted only two hours, but it caused devastating damages. The next day, FDR declared war on Japan. Info: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor
Photo: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/12/09/national/history/historian-seeks-to-clear-embassy-of-pearl-harbor-sneak-attack-infamy/#.WOH1ZBKGM-5 -
Bataan Death March
After the U.S surrendered the Bataan Peninsula to Japan, 75,000 Filipino and American soldiers were forced to march 65 miles to prison camps. The extreme heat and brutal treatment from Japanese soldiers caused thousands to perish. Info: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march
Photo: https://www.britannica.com/event/Bataan-Death-March -
Battle of Coral Sea
This four day was the first air-sea battle in history. Japan wanted to control the Coral Sea by invading Port Moresby in New Guinea, but an interference from the Allied Powers ruined their plans. Info: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-coral-sea
Photo: https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-the-Coral-Sea -
Battle of Midway
Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S defeated Japan using code breaking to intercept their plans of attacking what was left of the U.S aircrafts. This destroyed the Japanese Navy. Info: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway
Photo: https://www.reference.com/history/battle-midway-important-c00b55c201410030 -
Battle of Stalingrad
This Russian battle is so significant because the Russian prevented Germany from entering the Soviet Union. It also turned the war to be in the Allied Forces' favor. It is considered one of the greatest battles of the Great Patriotic War. Info: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad
Photo: https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Stalingrad -
Italy Surrenders to Allies
After Pietro Badoglio replaced Mussolini as per King Victor Emanuel's request, and as the fascist government declined, Badoglio spent weeks negotiating with U.S president Dwight D. Eisenhower and eventually approved a conditional surrender. Soon after, the Allied Forces landed in southern Italy and began pushing the Germans out of the peninsula. Info: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/italian-surrender-is-announced -
D-Day
American, British, and Canadian forces attacked a 50 mile stretch of German-occupied land. By the end of the battle, all of western France was liberated. D-Day is considered the beginning of the end of war in Europe. Info: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day
Photo: http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-d-day-normandy-invasion-france-pictures-photogallery.html -
1st Liberation of Concentration Camps
Soviet forces first approached Majdanek near Lublin, Poland. Later, they liberated Belzec, Sobibor and Treblinka. The Germans tried to hide any evidence of mass murders, but in the mayhem the gas chambers were left standing. Info: https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005131
Photo: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2299219/The-colour-darkness-Vivid-pictures-Nazi-concentration-camps-chilling-insight-dawn-Holocaust.html -
Liberation of Paris
On this day, the French capital was finally liberated, and Dwight D. Eisenhower was assured by Charles de Gaulle that he could enter Paris unopposed. Some of the German soldiers who had surrendered were still shot before being captivated. Info: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/liberation-of-paris
Photo: http://www.apimages.com/Collection/Landing/Liberation-of-Paris-1944/30a30c0b93ca4c8d9bf9f737bb7eb596 -
Battle of Bulge
U.S soldiers were caught off guard as Germans tried to enter the Ardennes and to the Antwerp. General Patton ordered the soldiers to take the appearance of a bulge, hence the name of the battle. Despite heavy casualties, the battle was a stalemate. Info: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge
Photo: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-the-bulge-begins -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Americans invaded Iwo Jima due to the need for an American base near the Japanese coast. Despite tough conditions and Japanese military tactics, the Americans prevailed. Info: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima
Photo: https://forum.callofwar.com/index.php?thread/5007-where-is-iwo-jima/ -
Death of FDR
FDR passed away at his Warm Springs, Georgia retreat because of a cerebral hemorrhage. Info: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fdr-dies -
Hitler Commits Suicide
Hitler commit suicide by taking cyanide in a refurbished air-raid shelter. He did this as his "1,000 year" Reich collapsed above him. Info: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/adolf-hitler-commits-suicide-in-his-underground-bunker
Photo: https://drawception.com/panel/drawing/Cp443336/hitler-commits-suicide-and-is-sad/ -
Germany Surrenders
Germany officially surrendered to the Allies, bringing an end to WWII on the European front. German High Command, General Alfred Jodl signed unconditional surrender in Reims, France. This would go into effect the following day. Info & Photo: www.huffingtonpost.com/.../germany-surrenders-allies-date-nazis-wwii_n_3230901.htm... -
First Atomic Bomb
The first atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima by an American B-29 bomber. 90% of the city was completely wiped out and 80,000 people died immediately. Tens of thousands of other people would later die due to radiation exposure. Info: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki
Photo: http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/12/this-rain-of-atomic-bombs-will-increase.html -
Second Atomic Bomb
Three days after the first atomic bomb was dropped, another B-29 bomber dropped another one on the Japanese city of Nagasaki. Six days later, Japanese Emperor Hirohito announced Japan's unconditional surrender to the Allies over the radio. Info: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki
Photo: http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/9/newsid_3580000/3580143.stm -
Japan Surrenders
Japan formally surrenders to the allies aboard the USS Missouri, after its military and navy were almost completely destroyed. This brought a close to WWII. Info: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/japan-surrenders
Photo: http://archive.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2011/08/07/why_did_japan_surrender/
