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Britain, France, the US, and other allies defeat Germany, bringing an end to World War I, billed as “the war to end all wars.”
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Adolf Hitler becomes chancellor of Germany and later assumes dictatorial powers. German rearmament takes off.
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Germany invades Poland, inciting Poland’s allies Britain and France to declare war on Germany.
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Working in concert with Hitler, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin orders the invasion of Poland, securing a share of Polish territory.
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Warsaw surrenders to German troops. Poland holds out for another 9 days before capitulating.
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British cruisers defeat a German pocket battleship at the Battle of the River Plate, the first major naval engagement of World War II.
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Germany invades Norway, ending a 6-month period of limited land operations called the “Phony War.”
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Winston Churchill replaces Neville Chamberlain as British Prime Minister. The same day, Germany invades Belgium.
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The trapped British army evacuates to England from Dunkirk, France, surviving to fight another day.
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Paris falls to German forces. France capitulates 11 days later.
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The Battle of Britain pits German bombers against British fighters in a thwarted German prelude to invasion.
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Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, starting war with the US. Sensing weakness, Hitler declares war on America 4 days later.