Key Dates During WW2

By historytimeline!
  • Invasion of Poland

    Invasion of Poland

    Germany invades Poland, marking the beginning of WWII

  • Declaration of war against Germany

    Britain and France declare war on Germany
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    Phoney War

    No real action taken by Britain and France; they are still preparing for war.
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    Invasion of Norway and Denmark

    Germany invades Norway and Denmark
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    Invasion of France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg

    Germany launches offensive against (invades) France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (they win against them)
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    British and Allied troops evacuate

    The evacuation of British and Allied troops from Dunkirk, France.
  • Italy Declare War

    Italy Declare War

    Italy declares war on Britain and France

  • France signs Armistice

    France signs an armistice (ceasefire - they surrender) with Germany, resulting in German occupation of northern and western France (Germany is now running France!)
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    Battle of Britain

    An air campaign fought between the (British) Royal Air Force and the German Luftwaffe (air force)
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    The Blitz

    German airforce (Luftwaffe) bomb British civilians, especially in London
  • Tripartite Pact

    Tripartite Pact

    Japan, Italy and Germany sign an official pact, agreeing to be a team in the war.
  • Invasion of North Africa

    Invasion of North Africa

    Italy invades North Africa (including those owned by Britain and France) trying to expand its empire.
  • Operation Barbarossa

    Operation Barbarossa

    Germany launches Operation Barbarossa, invading the Soviet Union (Russia). (This will end up being a bad move for Germany!)
  • US Entry to War

    US Entry to War

    Japan attacks US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, leading to the United States' entry into the war
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    Nazi Wannsee Conference

    Plans for the "Final Solution" are discussed.
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    The Battle of Midway

    A decisive naval battle in the Pacific
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    Operation Torch

    Allied invasion of French North Africa
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    Battle of Stalingrad

    Battle of Stalingrad, (in Russia) between invading German soldiers and Russia (Soviet Union). A turning point on the Eastern Front. (Savage! Brutal fighting! Crushing defeat of German army. Germany lose the battle and the allies start to win!)

  • Allied forces invade Sicily, Italy

  • Italy surrenders to the Allies

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    Tehran Conference

    Allied leaders discuss strategy
  • D-Day

    D-Day

    Operation Neptune/Overlord. Allied invasion of Normandy, France
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    Battle of Normandy

    Leading to the liberation of Paris (From German Army) on August 25
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    Battle of the Bulge

    A major German counteroffensive
  • Auschwitz liberated

    Auschwitz liberated

    Liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp by Soviet forces
  • US President dies

    US President dies

    President Franklin D. Roosevelt dies; Harry S. Truman becomes president
  • Adolf Hitler commits suicide

    Adolf Hitler commits suicide

  • Victory in Europe (VE)

    Victory in Europe (VE)

    Marks the unconditional surrender of Germany
  • US Drops Atomic Bombs

    US Drops Atomic Bombs

    On the 6th and 9th, the US drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.
  • End of WWII

    End of WWII

    Japan formally surrenders, marking the official end of World War II