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hitler made chancellor of Germany
President Paul von Hindenburg names Adolf Hitler, leader or fuhrer of the Nazi Party, as chancellor of Germany. -
The anschluss
Hitler announces an Anschluss or union between Germany and Austria, -
Kristallnacht
the Nazis launch a campaign of terror against the jews and their homes and businesses in Germany and Austria. -
Invasion of Poland
German troops invade Poland all along it's border with German controlled territory. -
Dunkirk
it was a 9 day evacuation, one of the largest in history and an unexpected success. it saved 338,000 Allied troops from capture by the Nazis. -
Attack on pearl harbor
it was a surprise attack that struck a critical blow against the U.S. Pacific fleet and drew the United State into World War II. -
Bataan death march
American soldiers captured on the Bataan Peninsula begin a forced march to a prison camp near Cabanatuan. -
Battle of midway
During the 4 day sea and air battle, the japanese outnumbered the U.S. Pacific Fleet, but the U.S won by destroying four Japanese aircraft carriers while losing only one of its own, the Yorktown. -
D-day
the Allied powers crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, beginning the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control during World War II. -
battle of the bulge
It was an attempt to push the Allied front line west from northern France to northwestern Belgium. -
Yalta conference
it was a week of bargaining by the leaders of the three major Allied powers that ends in Yalta, a Soviet resort town on the Black Sea. -
V-E day
Great Britain and the United States celebrate, as well as formerly occupied cities in Western Europe, put out flags and banners, celebrating in the defeat of the Nazis. -
The bombing of Hiroshima
The United States becomes the first and only nation to use atomic weapons during the war when it drops an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. -
Japanese invasion of manchuria
the Soviet Union officially declares war on Japan, moving more than 1 million Soviet soldiers into Manchuria, northeastern China, to take on the 700,000 strong Japanese army. -
V-J day
the USS Missouri has the surrender of the Japanese government to the Allies. Victory over Japan was celebrated in the States too.