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Battle of Midway
America is victorious in this navel encounter with the Japanese fleet at Midway Islands. -
Battle of Guadalcanal
First U.S. offensive of WW2. United States wins after three day encounter with heavy losses. Located in the Solomon Island that were occupied by Japan. -
U.S. defeat in Tunisia
February 14, 1943 - The United States encounters its first major defeat in the European theater of World War II at the Battle for Kasserine Pass in Tunisia. -
Invasion of Italy Begins
July 10, 1943 - The United States Army's 45th Infantry Division lands on the island of Sicily, starting the campaign of Allied invasion into Axis-controlled Europe. Nine days later, Rome is bombed by Allied forces. -
The Tehran Conference
Meeting between FDR, Churchill, and Stalin were the June 1944 invasion of Europe, Operation Overlord, is agreed upon -
D-Day Invasion
Allied forces invade Europe at Normandy, France, starting what will become the longest counteroffensive in history. -
G.I. Bill Passed
The G.I. billed is passed and made law. It will offer countless benefits to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. -
Guam
The United States military begins to retake the island of Guam after Japanese troops had occupied the island during World War II. -
Truman Elected
Harry S. Truman is inaugurated as the 33rd President of the United States. -
Truman Elected
Harry S. Truman is reelected as the 33rd President of the United States and is inaugurated in 1945 -
Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa Begin
The United States Marines invade Iwo Jima and Okinawa in the Pacific Theater. -
Roosevelt Dies
Franklin Delano Roosevelt dies during his third term in office. -
Germany Surrenders
The unconditional surrender of Germany at Reims, France concludes the military engagements of World War II in Europe. It is accepted by General Dwight D. Eisenhower. -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima
President Harry S. 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. -
Japan Surrenders: Official End of WW2
On August 15, Emperor Hirohito of Japan surrenders. -
First UN meeting
The first meeting of the United Nations general assembly occurs after its founding on October 24, 1945 by fifty-one nations. These actions would lead to the disbanding of the League of Nations on April 18, when its mission was transferred to the U.N. -
Truman Doctrine Announced
The Truman Doctrine is announced to the U.S. Congress. When passed it would grant $400 million in aid to Greece and Turkey to battle Communist terrorism. -
Executive Order 9981
Executive Order 9981, ending segregation in the United States military, is signed into effect by President Harry S. Truman. -
NATO Formed
NATO, the North American Treaty Organization, is formed by the United States, Canada, and ten Western European nations. -
U.S. Withdraw
United States withdraws its troops from Korea. -
Korean War Begins
The Korean War begins its three year conflict when troops of North Korea, backed with Soviet weaponry, invade South Korea. This act leads to U.S. involvement when two days later, the United States Air Force and Navy are ordered by President Truman to the peninsula. -
UN Retreats
United Nations forces retreat south toward the 38th parallel when Chinese Communist forces open a counteroffensive in the Korean War. -
Eisenhower Elected
Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected as the 34th President of the United Staes. Noted for his popularity in ending World War II -
Cold War Continues
The Cold War continues in earnest when President Dwight D. Eisenhower approves a top secret document stating that the U.S. nuclear arsenal must be expanded to combat the communist threat around the world.