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Japan invades Manchuria
This even was the beginning of World War II. The Japanese kept occupation until the end of the war. -
Kristallnacht
Kristallnacht was a pogrom conducted through Nazi Germany and Austria in which 91 Jews were killed and 30,000 placed in concentration camps. The word comes from broken glass. -
Germany Attacks Poland
This event was the beginning of both WWII in Europe and the Poland Campaign. This occured one week after and alliance with the Soviet Union was signed. -
France and Great Britain Declare War
France and Great Britain entered WWII against Nazi Germany, Austria, and the Soveit Union. -
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Soviet troops occupy Poland
In this time period, the Soviet Union occupied some areas of Poland in order to spread Communism and help their economy. -
German Invasion of Denmark and Norway
Germany invaded Denmark for its iron ore shipping: Operation Weserubung.
Germany invaded Norway for control of Scandinavia; the Norweigans were aided by the French and British. -
Phony War
This is what the state of war between the Western Allies in Germany; both sides had declared against one another, but neither chose to launch an offensive. -
France Falls
Germany launched a successful attack on France; it came to be known as the Battle of France. French and British forces were withdrawn from France. -
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Battle of Dunkirk
The Battle of Dunkirk was the evacuation of British and French troops from Europe. -
Soviets occupy Finland
The Soviet Union occupied Finish Karelia in hope of spreading Communism. -
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Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain was a battle completely fought by aircraft. The goal of this attack was to defeat the British air defenses and sign an armistice, but it could not be accomplished. This was considered the first major Nazi defeat of WWII -
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War in the Balkans
The War in the Balkans reffers to Italy's invasion of other countries on the Balkan peninsula. The first of which was Greece, followed by Albania, followed by German support troops being deployed into Romania and Bulgaria. -
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Battle of Tobruk
The Battle of Tobruk took place in North Africa, where Allied forces seiged the Axis Tobruk. This battle resulted in Rommel pulling his forces out of Tobruk. -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the codename for the German invasion of the Soviet Union; it involved four million troops, 600,000 vehicles, and 750,000 horses. -
Battle of Leningrad
With Finnish aid, the Soviets were able to defeat the Germans at Leningrad. Germany suffered 830,000 casualties and the Soviet Union suffered 4,478,066. -
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor
Japan attacked the American fleet at Pearl Harbor with Kamikaze pilots. This action set the United States into WWII. -
Japan attacks Philippines
Japan invaded the Philippine Islands, which set the United States to help the Philippine army "Island Hop". -
Battle of Wake Island
The Battle of Wake Island happened close to the same time as Pearl Harbor. This battle resulted in the surrender of the 1st Marine Defense Battalion. -
Doolittle's Raid
This raid was an American bombing on Tokyo, which was made possible by bombers taking off from aircraft carriers. This raid was executed to show the vaulnerability of Japan to American air attacks. -
Battle of the Coral Sea
This naval battle took place off the coast of Australia, and is the first battle in which aircraft carriers engaged each other. The Japanese did more damage to the American fleet than vice versa, but could not continue on their planned route. This battle was, therefore, a strategic win for the Allies. -
Battle of Midway
American forces were able to turn around a Japanese attacks on the Midway Island in the Pacific Ocean. -
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Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad, between the Red Army and German forces was the bloodiest battles in all of World War II. Both sides suffered millions of casualties, and there was barely a city left behind. This was a key battle of stopping the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. -
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Battle of Guadalcanal
The Battle of Guadalcanal, or Operation Watchtower, was an invasion of the Island of Guadalcanal and the first major offensive attack of the Allies in the Pacific. -
Normandy Invasion (D-Day)
American forces invaded Normandy on the beach under Operation Overlord. It was the largest amphibious invasion in mankind. -
Battle of Leyte Gulf
Battle of Leyte Gulf was the largest naval battle in WWII, some might say in the world. It was the first battle with organized Kamikaze pilots and consisted of Japan against the combined forces of America and Australia. -
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Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was the last offensive attack of the Nazis in World War II. The Nazis attacked Allied forces in the Ardennes, and resulted in a decisive Allied victory. -
VE Day
VE day, or Victory in Europe Day, was the day that Hitler agreed to an unconditional surrender of his armed forces. This ended WWII in Europe. -
A-Bombs
As a product of the Manhattan Project, America developed atomic bombs. One of which was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6th, and Nagasaki on August 9th. -
VJ Day
VJ Day marks the day in which Japan surrendered in the Pacific, ending WWII for all. -
Nuremberg Trials
The Nuremberg Trials consisted of trying the top 23 politicians of the Third Reich for war crimes committed during WWII. Adolf Hitler was not one of them, as he committed suicide months before the trials.