-
The First Atomic Bomb is signed in to development.
-
Allied soldiers stormed the beaches of France to begin the World War II invasion of Europe.
-
President Roosevelt dies. Vice President, Harry S. Truman assumes the presidency and role as commander in chief of World War II.
-
The unconditional surrender of Germany at Reims, France concludes the military engagements of World War II in Europe.
-
President Truman gives the go-ahead for the use of the atomic bomb with the bombing of Hiroshima. Three days later, the second bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, Japan.
-
On August 15, Emperor Hirohito of Japan surrenders.
-
The Soviet Union begins its land blockade of the Allied sectors of Berlin, Germany.
-
The North American Treaty Organization, NATO, is formed by the United States, Canada, and ten Western European nations.
-
The Korean War begins when troops of North Korea invade South Korea. The US becomes involved after the United States Air Force and Navy are ordered by President Truman to the peninsula.