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Japanese Invasion of China
The invasion of Manchuria, China by the Japanese in order to protect their railroad. Caused multiple property damages and military issues in China. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/world-war-ii-in-the-pacific -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
After German leader Hitler and Soviet leader Stalin signed the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact, Hitler invaded Poland on the first of September, two days later becoming the beginning of WWII after France and Britain declared war on Germany. Hitler wanted control over the nation, and obtained it. Poland had surrendered to the Nazis and became under complete control by Hitler—the Western area becoming the Greater German Reich. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history -
German Blitzkrieg
After successfully invading Norway and Denmark, German forces dashed through Belgium and the Netherlands in lightning war, or in other words, "blitzkrieg." Three days later, the forces struck French forces at Sedan. It was called the 'lightning war' due to the short amount of time used to overrun Europe. This was to disrupt enemy forces and catch them off guard. This caused the forces to become unorganized. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history -
Operation Barbarossa
On June 22nd, 1941, Hitler launched his armies in a massive invasion toward the Soviet Union. He codenamed this 'Operation Barbarossa.' Hitler wanted to establish Nazi leadership in the Soviet. This caused the largest military operation—resulting in over 6 million Soviet soldiers injured. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
On December 7th, 1941, right before 8 a.m. hit, Japanese fighter planes descended on the U.S. naval base, Pearl Harbor. Due to Japan's aggression on China, the U.S. halted access to money, goods, and most importantly essential oils to Japan. This was the cause of the attack on Pearl Harbor. 8 battleships, 300 airplanes destroyed, 2400 Americans dead, and 1000 more injured. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Wannsee Conference
A meeting held in the Berlin suburb of Wannsee by the government officials of Nazi Germany and SS leaders to ensure the deportation of Jews to Poland, where they would get murdered. A plan was prepared in order for this to happen. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history -
Battle of Midway
A clash between the U.S. and Japan navy. Resulting in a win for the U.S. for the air-sea battle at the Midway Island diminished Japan's plans to neutralize the U.S. and turned the tide of WWII. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Battle of Stalingrad
Military campaign between Russian forces and the Axis powers. Hitler wanted to occupy Stalingrad for its propaganda purposes, where the Russians vowed to protect the city due to the importance of its name. This battle resulted in almost two million deaths/injuries, and thousands of Russian civilians. However, this battle got people to turn in favor of the Allied Powers. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
Operation Gomorrah
The bombing on Hamburg, Germany by the Allied powers. The Allied powers knew that Hamburg had great industrial resources, which helped significantly in war wages. This resulted in a million people evacuating the city due to the great number of aircraft and bombs dropped, with over 200,000 homes destroyed. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history -
Allied Invasion of Italy
After defeating the Italians and Germans in North Africa, an Allied invasion of Sicily and Italy came afterward, which resulted in the collapse of Mussolini's government. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history -
D-Day
A massive invasion of Europe done by the Allies, dropping 156,000 British, Canadian, and American soldiers on the beaches of Normandy, France. Soviet troops came in through Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Romania. German forces tried to drive back the American and British troops, but it failed. This lead to Germany finally surrendering on May 8th, however, Hitler was already dead by suicide April 30th. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history -
Battle of the Bulge
Hitler's last major offensive in WWII. Main aim was to split the Allies while on their way to Germany, but it resulted in a failure. Germany surrendered, while Hitler died due to suicide. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
Auschwitz became the first camp to be liberated on January 27th, 1945 by the Soviets. In the camp, Soviets found 7,000 inmates alive, including 180 children who had been experimented on. However, many of the camps contained thousands of corpses. After they were cleared out, the British burned down the camps. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history -
Operation Thunderclap
From the 13th of February to the 15th, Dresden, located in Germany, was bombed by the Allies. This bombing was controversial due to the unimportance of the historic city. It resulted in 22,700-25,000 deaths. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-dresden -
Battle of Iwo Jima
A military campaign between the U.S. marines and Imperial Japan Army. American forces invaded the land of Iwo Jima, the reason being that they needed a place for fighter planes and bombs when attacking Japan. This battle resulted in over 20,000 deaths of the Japanese army, as well as 7,000 of the U.S. marines. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
Battle of Okinawa
The last, and one of the bloodiest, major battle of WWII. The Navy's fifth fleet and more than 180,000 troops descended in the city of Okinawa in Japan. This plan was created in order to invade the Ryukyu Islands. This battle resulted in a victory for the Allies, however, both sides were left with a great deal of injuries and deaths. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-okinawa -
VE Day
VE Day, also known as Victory in Europe day, is the day celebrated when the Allies accepted the German forces' surrender. The date was marked May 8th, 1945. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history -
Potsdam Declaration
The last of the WWII meetings held by the "Big Three" of states. The leaders—including Winston Churchill, Harry S. Truman, and Joseph Stalin. The leaders created agreements on the German economy, punishments for war, etc. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/potsdam-conference -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
The first atomic bomb dropped by the U.S. was in Hiroshima, Japan. The bomb, being named "Little Boy", exploded with 13 kilotons of force, killing 80,000 people immediately—later on, thousands more were to die due to radiation exposure. Three days later, another bomb was dropped in Nagasaki, killing an estimated 40,000 people. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/atomic-bomb-history -
VJ Day
On August 14th, 1945, Japan had unconditionally surrendered to the Allies, marking the end of World War II. Since then, August 14th and 15th is celebrated for this event, VJ Day—also known as "Victory Over Japan Day." https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day