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Germany invades Poland, initiating World War II in Europe.
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Italy enters the war. Italy invades southern France on June 21.
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The Soviet Union forces Romania to cede the eastern province of Bessarabia and the northern half of Bukovina to the Soviet Ukraine.
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Bulgaria joins the Axis.
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The leaders of the terrorist Ustasa movement proclaim the so-called Independent State of Croatia. Recognized immediately by Germany and Italy, the new state includes the province of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Croatia joins the Axis powers formally on June 15, 1941
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The United States declares war on Japan, after the bombing at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Now entering World War II.
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U.S. and British troops land at several points on the beaches of Algeria and Morocco in French North Africa. The failure of the Vichy French troops to defend against the invasion enables the Allies to move swiftly to the western border of Tunisia, and triggers the German occupation of southern France on November 11.
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The Germans launched a massive tank offensive near Kursk in the Soviet Union. The Soviets blunt the attack within a week and begin an offensive initiative of their own.
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Allied troops land successfully near Anzio, just south of Rome.
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The United States drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
