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Japanese Invasion of Manchuria
This invasion was the start of Japan's aggression. This led to invading even more of China, and also Korea. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Hitler actually got elected into his position in January, perfectly legally. He made lots of promises to help Germany prosper, and the people were desperate, so he got elected. -
Italian Invasion of Ethiopia
Ethiopia was one of the only independent nations in Africa. Invading it was the start of Italian aggression. Italy officially added Ethiopia to its empire in 1936. -
Kristallnacht Begins
This was the start of the Holocaust. Jews started to be put into camps just for being Jewish. -
Munich Conference
The Munich Conference was a settlement that allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland. The Sudetenland was part of Czechoslovakia, but Germany wanted it because it was mostly populated by German people. -
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact Signed
This was a non-aggression pact between Germany and the U.S.S.R. It eliminated the danger of a Soviet invasion from the east. -
Invasion of Poland
This marks the official start of WWII. France and Britain had pledged support to Poland, so 2 days later, they declared war on Germany. -
Fall of France
In May, Germans got through the Maginot Line's defenses and surrounded Allied forces near Dunkirk, France. The Allies retreated to Britain, leading to complete German occupation of France in June. -
Battle of Britain
The Luftwaffe (German Air Forces) constantly raided Britain with bombs, increasing in intensity, night after night. Also, Germany cut off food to Britain, to starve them into surrender. -
Pearl Harbor
On this "day that will live in infamy,” the Japanese surprise attacked a U.S. naval fleet in Hawaii. Eight battleships and more than 300 planes were destroyed, and there 2,403 American casualties. The next day, the U.S. declared war on Japan. -
Bataan Death March
This was the 65-mile march of tens of thousands of American and Filipino prisoners to some prison camps. This march was a symbol of Japanese brutality in WWII. -
Battle of Midway
This was the battle that turned the tide in the Pacific. The Americans won this battle and were then able to surprise attack another Japanese fleet, thus equalizing both naval powers. -
Battle of Stalingrad
Germany had invaded a huge chunk of the U.S.S.R., and planned take Stalingrad, but Stalin wanted that city held at all costs. After 6 grueling months, the Soviets defeated the Germans and kept the city. -
Operation Overlord (D-Day)
The Allies landed on the heavily fortified beaches of Normandy and after lots of fighting ended up defeating the Axis Powers. It resulted in the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control. D-Day for NHD
This is a website I made for National History Day (in 6th Grade) about D-Day. It gives lots of facts about the invasion, planning, etc. Check it out! -
Battle of the Bulge
This battle was the last push for Germany. Both sides suffered a heavy loss, but the Allies were able to turn the Germans away. -
Yalta Conference
In February, Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin (The Big Three) met in Yalta, U.S.S.R. Here, they discussed what would happen in postwar Europe. -
Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa
The Battle of Iwo Jima happened between February and March, and is was a major victory for the U.S. (the legendary flag raising picture was taken here!). The Battle of Okinawa was another major victory against the Japanese, but it did result in the highest number of casualties. -
V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day)
The Americans and the Soviets met in Berlin, Germany, to announce victory in Europe. Hitler had committed suicide 2 days before. After this, the U.S. turned its sights on Japan. -
Atomic Bombings of Japan
In August, the U.S. issued an ultimatum for Japan to back down (as they did not want to lose any more lives themselves), but Japan refused, so the 1st atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on the 6th. Japan continued to refuse to back down, so a 2nd atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on the 9th. After that, Japan finally decided to back down. -
V-J Day (Victory in Japan Day)
On this day, after enduring to atomic bomb droppings, Japan finally surrendered. This event is what ended WWII.
