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Germany invades Poland. World War II begins.
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France and Great Britain declare war on Germany.
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Italy joins the war as a member of the Axis powers (enemies).
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Germany uses quick strikes called blitzkrieg, lightning war, to take over much of western Europe including the Netherlands, Belgium, and northern France.
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Germany and the Axis Powers attack Russia with an army of over four million troops. This operation was called Operation Barbarossa.
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The Japanese attack the U.S. Navy in Pearl Harbor. The next day the U.S. enters World War II on the side of the Allies.
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The U.S. Navy beats the Japanese navy at the Battle of Midway.
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The Allies invade Sicily causing Italy to surrender to the Allies. On the other hand, Germany helps Mussolini escape and set up a government in Northern Italy.
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D-Day and Normandy Invasion takes place. Allied forces invade France and push the Germans back.
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The Germans launch a large attack in the Battle of the Bulge. This is the last major attack Germany launches. Germany loses to the Allies.
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U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt dies of a stroke. President Harry Truman takes his place.
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Adolf Hitler commits suicide in a bunker, knowing that Germany has lost the war.
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Germany surrenders to the Allies.
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The United States drop the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima Japan. The city is in ruins.
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Another atomic bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, Japan.
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Japan surrenders to U.S. and the Allies. World War II is over.
