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Germany Invades Poland
The Germans attacked Poland without any declaration of war. 1.5 million German soldiers showed up inside Poland's territory at dawn with cavalry, tanks, and infantry. Germany's planes bombed the Polish capitol and many other Polish cities. -
Peace Demonstration
There was a county fair. At the fair, many people of different religions met to hold a peace demonstration when Great Britain declared war on Nazi Germany. This happened two days after Germany invaded Poland. -
France Surrenders to Germany
Hitler let out his blitzkrieng invasion of France and the Low Countries at the beginning of May. But, after France put up a long fight, Marshal Petain, their new leader, surrenders. "It is with heavy heart that I tell you today that we must stop fighting." Petain said as he broadcasted the surrender. This caused the French to call on the Germans for an armistice that would stop the fighting. -
Highland Park Zoo
The park had been closed for a while. It was pretty old, because it was opened in the 1800s. But, on this date, it was reopened and newly modernized. This was 11 days after France surrendered to Germany -
Pittsburgh was shocked
The people of Pittsburgh were shocked by the attack on Pearl Harbor. Their outrage, made them want to win the war even more. It even influenced more young men to join the army. -
Japanese Attack Pearl Harbor
The U.S. suspects an attack from the Japanese on Asia and Pearl Harbor when a call for peace from the President to the Emporer is ignored. The people on Pearl Harbor did not know that an attack was predicted, so the planes were all parked while the soldiers were lounging on the beach. When the attack begins many soldiers and civilians were killed, and many ships and planes were destroyed. Once, the news reached the U.S., the people were outraged, which caused many young men to join the army. -
War Show at Pitt Stadium
The War show came to Pitt Stadium one day before the Battle of Midway. The War show was very popular. It traveled to many different cities such as, Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland. -
Battle of Midway
During this battle, the Japanese commander Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto planned to knock down Midway's defenses. Then, invade the two small islands. And finally, make a Japanese air base there. However, his planns were destroyed before the battle was even joined because the Americans put up a good fight. The Japanese ended up losing four irreplaceable fleet carriers, and the Americans only lost three. -
War Labor Board Accepts a Wage Increase
United Steel Workers' wage policy committee met at the William Penn Hotel. At the hotel, they accepted a 44-cents-a-day increase. This wage increase was accepted by the War Labor Board to the employees of "Little Steel" firms. -
The Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was the largest battle in human history, it lasted almost 200 days. Both sides had many causualties. This battle revealed both the desire for victory and the discipline of both armies. -
D Day
Allied troops stood along the French coastline to fight Germany. More than 9, 000 soldiers were killed. General Dwight Eisenhower said, "we will accept nothing less than a full victory." The soldiers were determined to win, which showed in their victory. -
No-Strike Pledge
A rally was held outside of the East PIttsburgh plant. About 20,000 employees of the Westinghouse were there. At the rally, they promised a no-strike pledge for the rest of the war. This happened two days after D-day. -
PIttsburgh Survey
A survey was taken. This survey showed the war contracts that were complete in PIttsburgh district plants totaled $903,398,644. Also, $322,000,000 of it was delivered to the front lines. This happened 18 days after the Allies liberated Paris. -
Allies Liberate (Free) Paris
As they entered the city of Paris, the French 2nd Armoured Division was greeted with loud cheers. The French leader, General Charles de Gaulle, said they could now "stand up as a great world power and would not rest until the enemy had been defeated on its own territory." After four long years, the French were finally free. -
Snow Storm
Many schools were closed for two days while thousands of Christmas shoppers were stuck at stores during a 15-inch snowfall. All of the hotels were filled, adn they had to make the lobbies into shelters. This happened five days before the Battle of the Bulge. -
The Battle of the Bulge
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Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Rufus H. Fitgerald was appointed chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh. He was now chancellor because of Dr. John G. Bowman who had been the chancellor for 15 years and had resigned. This happened three days before the Battle of Iwo Jima. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Amercans had a three part plan, and the capture of Iwo Jima was the first part of this plan to win the war. Iwo Jima was a small island, but it had two airfields controled by the Chinese. The Americans wanted these two airfields so they could use them as emergency landbases for broken planes. -
FDR Dies, Truman Becomes President
Before President Roosevelt died, his Vice President had limited involvement in the President's administration. But, once President Roosevelt died from a cerebral hemorrhage, his Vice President had to fill in for him. So, Harry S. Truman, who was surprising elected Vice President, became the President of the United States. -
Pittsburgh in Mourning
Since President Roosevelt passed away, Mayor Scully asked all of the places of amusement to close in mourning. He also had all of the schools, businesses, and other activies closed. The whole city of Pittsburgh was in mourning for President Roosevelt andhis family. -
Hitler Commits Suicide
Early that morning, Hitler came down to his dining hall and gave his final farewell to all of his workers. That afternoon, him and his wife went back to their room. Later, a gunshot was heard. HItler was found shot in the temple, and his wife dead from poison. -
VE Day
The Western Allies defeated Germany. Then, Berlin fell to the Russians, and Germany surrendered. This day signifies the formal celebration of the Allies' victory in the war. -
The President of the Pennsylvania College for Women
At the Pennsylvania College for Women, Dr. Paul R. Anderson was elected president of the college. Dr. Anderson was the dean of Lawrence College in Appleton, Wisconson until he was elected President of the Pennsylvania College for Women to succeed Dr. Herbert L. Spencer. This happened a month after Hitler committed suicide. -
George E. Evan
George E. Evan was a chairman of PIttsburgh Housing Authority and a helper in slum-clearance planning. He passed away on this day at age 69. This happened one month after VE Day. -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima
Early that morning, a bomber named Enola Gay flew towards Japan to drop a bomb called Little Boy on the city of Hiroshima. The survivors of the bombing describe it as a huge flash of light, and flire everywhere. About 200,000 people were killed because of the bombing including long term deaths such as cancer and other long term effects. -
Job Layoffs
The war contract became effective. So, 7000 workers were laid off in the Pittsburgh district industries. This happened on the same day the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Nagasaki
This was the second bombing attack from the Americans on Japan in three days. This bomb was dropped by a parachute. It completely destroyed the city and exploded about 1,625 feet above the ground. -
Russian Labor Leaders
Russian labor leaders came to Pennsylvania on this day. They came to Pennsylvania to tour the district's steel mills. This happened three days after an atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki. -
VJ Day
This day is celebrated because it is the day that the Japanese surrendered to the Allies. Their surrender stopped the violence for six straight years that Japan had been giving the other countries. Also, this brought the War closer to an end. -
VJ Day in Pittsburgh
VJ Day was celebrated in Pittsburgh. All of the people were so happy. They were all excited for the war to come closer to an end.
