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World War 1 ends
Britain, France, the United States and other allies defeated Germany and ended the First World War, which was called "the war that ended all wars". -
World War 2 Begins
Germany invaded Poland, inciting Poland's allies Britain and France to declare war on Germany. -
Soviet Union Invades Poland
Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, working with Hitler, ordered the invasion of Poland and protected parts of Poland. -
Warsaw Captured
Warsaw surrendered to the Germans. Poland held on for another 9 days before surrendering. -
Norway Invaded
Germany's invasion of Norway ended a six-month limited land operation known as the "phony war." -
Churchill Becomes Prime Minister
Winston Churchill replaces Neville Chamberlain as British Prime Minister. The same day, Germany invades Belgium. -
Paris falls to nazis
Paris falls to German forces. France capitulates 11 days later. -
US plunged into war
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, starting war with the US. Sensing weakness, Hitler declares war on America 4 days later. -
Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The United States detonated two nuclear weapons over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August 1945, respectively. The two bombings killed between 129,000 and 226,000 people, most of whom were civilians, and remain the only use of nuclear weapons in armed conflict. -
End of World War 2
World War II ended with the unconditional surrender of Germany in May 1945, but both May 8 and May 9 are celebrated as Victory in Europe Day