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Japanese Troops occupied the French colony, Into-China
The United States responds by cutting off oil exports to Japan. -
World War II Started
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Japan attacks Pearl Harbor.
Almost at the same time, Japanese warplanes attack the Philippines and two U.S. islands: Wake and Guam, which are later occupied. Japanese troops invade Malaya and Thailand and seize Shanghai. Later in December Japanese troops invade Burma and Hong Kong.
Three days after Pearl Harbor, Germany and Italy declare war on the United States. -
Japanese carrier planes bomb Darwin, Australia.
In the Battle of the Java Sea, Japan defeats an Allied strike force, putting Japan in control of Java and the Netherlands Indies. -
Battle of Coral Sea
In the battle of the Coral Sea, U.S. warships turn back a Japanese invasion force heading for New Guinea. -
Drop fire bombs on forests near Brookings, Oregon
An aircraft launched from a Japanese submarine drops fire bombs on forests near Brookings, Oregon, in the first bombing of the continental United States. Picture -> bomber for Oregon -
Australia no longer threatened by invasion
Japan’s attempt to take New Guinea ends as Australian and U.S. troops defeat Japanese troops at landing sites. Australia is no longer threatened by invasion. -
Japan defeated from losing 220 warplanes
U.S. Marines land on Saipan in the Northern Marianas Islands.
Japan’s last aircraft carrier forces are defeated as Japan loses 220 warplanes in one battle with U.S. carrier planes. -
U.S Marines lands on Iron Jima, in the Bonn Islands
U.S. Marines land on Iwo Jima, in the Bonin Islands. It will be a base for fighter planes escorting B-29s flying from Tinian Island. -
World War II Ended
In August 1945, atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima (August 6th) and Nagasaki (August 9th) Japan surrenders (August 14th). At least 100,000 people died in the atomic bombing. September 2nd => Japanese officials sign the surrender document on the U.S.S Missouri in Tokyo Harbor
