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Hitler Joins Nazi Party
Hitler officially joins the National Socialist German Workers Party. He was the seventh executive member of the party's central committee. He was given the membership number 55, but it appeared as 555 to make the party seem as if it had more members than it actually did. This is significant as it is the beginning of Hitler's rising power in Germany. -
Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor
The Attack on Pearl Harbor destroyed nearly 20 American ships and 300+ airplanes. America had not been prepared as they thought that if the Japanese were to attack, it would happen in colonies in the South-Pacific. Around 2,500 men were killed as well as 1,000 others injured. This event is significant as it brought America to join the war. -
America Joins the War in the Pacific
America declares war on Japan following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The declaration was created an hour following the "Day That Will Live in Infamy" speech made by Franklin D. Roosevelt. This is important as it is the official beginning of America's involvement in WWII. -
Hitler Declares War on the United States of America
Worried that America would beat Germany in declaring war, Hitler declares war on the United States. This is significant as it begins America's involvement on the European end of the war. -
D-Day
Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin begin Operation Overlord, or D-Day. The mission involved landing 21 American divisions, as well as 26 British, Canadian, and Polish divisions on a 50 mile stretch of beaches in Normandy, in order to attack the Germans in France. This was significant as it suffered over 6,000 American casualties alone and was considered a turning point in the war for the allies. -
Victory in Europe
Soon after the allies surrounded Berlin, Hitler had fallen into madness and eventually committed suicide. Thus, Germany surrendered. This is known as V-E day, being it was a victory for the allies in Europe, making it a very important moment in history. -
Dropping of the Atomic Bomb in Hiroshima
Although Japan continued to face threats from the allies, they refused to surrender. Truman decided that in order to save American lives, they would drop the atomic bomb created through the Manhattan Project. On this day, U.S. pilots dropped the bomb on Hiroshima. Three days later, and with no time for the Japanese to process what had happened, the second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. This event brought the war to an end in the Pacific. -
Emperor Hirohito Surrenders
After the dropping of the atomic bomb in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan finally surrenders. This finally brings and end to the most costly war in history. The allies then celebrated V-J day, marking an end to the war in Japan.
