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German Troops invade Poland. This is the first main event in the war. Some of the first casualties happen here. The Germans used battleships and air force.
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Britain and France now declare war on Germany. This is only two days after the invasion of Poland, it is now officially a war.
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France surrendered almost one year after declaring war on Germany. They decided to surrender for complex reasons. Main one being that they couldn't keep fighting, so the government wanted peace.
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The Axis Forces invaded communist Russia exactly one year after the French surrendered. Operation Barbarossa was the name of the invasion of Soviet Union territory. Over three million soldiers were involved.
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The Japanese's Air Force flew across the Pacific to bomb the unexpected U.S Navy. Many died and the United States were disrupted. This is one of the main causes of the U.S joining the war.
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The U.S declares war on Japan after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
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The U.S finally joins the war after declaring it against Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania. This impacted the war greatly and would eventually lead to the Allied Powers' victory.
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The Allied Forces invaded Normandy, France. This is one of the most memorable battles in the war. Many died, but the Allied Forces succeeded this day and this was a huge step on winning the war.
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Germany began the Battle of the Bulge. During the Battle of the Bulge, Hitler's aim was to split the Allies in their drive toward Germany. It is to this day one of the most costliest battles the U.S ever fought. Over 100,000 casualties.
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The U.S Marine Corps lead this battle. The Navy and Marines successfully captured this island from the Japanese. This battle was fought with great courage and many heroes were made. It also has one of the most historic images, soldiers pushing with the U.S flag.
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After the Soviets neared Hitler's bunker in Berlin, Hitler committed suicide. They Germans surrendered and fell to the Allied Forces. After heavy fighting the war was almost won.
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In August of 1945, the U.S dropped Atomic bombs on the Japanese's cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Many died, to the first ever Nuclear warfare strikes.
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Japan surrendered to the U.S and the war was finally won by the Allied Forces. Victory broke out across the world. Celebrations were taking place everywhere. The underdogs won, in one of the most horrific but courageous wars ever fought. WWII officially ended.
