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Germany invades Poland
Germany invades Poland. World War II begins. -
France and Great Britain join the war
France and Great Britain declare war on Germany. -
Italy joins Germany
Italy joins the war as a member of the Axis powers (enemies). -
Period: to
Blitzkrieg
Germany uses quick strikes called blitzkrieg, lightning war, to take over much of western Europe including the Netherlands, Belgium, and northern France. -
Invasion of the Soviet Union
Germany and the Axis Powers attack Russia with an army of over four million troops. This operation was called Operation Barbarossa. -
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor
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. -
Battle of Midway
The U.S. Navy beats the Japanese navy at the Battle of Midway. -
Italy Surrenders
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. -
D-Day
D-Day and Normandy Invasion takes place. Allied forces invade France and push the Germans back. -
Battle of the Bulge
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. -
FDR Dies
U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt dies of a stroke. President Harry Truman takes his place. -
Adolf Hitler Dies
Adolf Hitler commits suicide in a bunker, knowing that Germany has lost the war. -
Germany Surrenders
Germany surrenders to the Allies. -
Atomic Bomb
The United States drop the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima Japan. The city is in ruins. -
Nagasaki Bombings
Another atomic bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. -
Japan Surrenders
Japan surrenders to U.S. and the Allies. World War II is over.
