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Germany invades Poland, beginning World War II
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Germany invades the Soviet Union, drawing the Soviets into World War II.
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Japan launches a surprise air attack on U.S. military installations at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, drawing the United States into World War II.
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The Yalta Conference occurs, deciding the post-war status of Germany. The Allies of World War II (the USA, the USSR, Great Britain and France) divide Germany into four occupation zones. The Allied nations agree that free elections are to be held in all countries occupied by Nazi Germany. In addition, the new United Nations are to replace the failed League of Nations.
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US President Franklin D. Roosevelt suffers a stroke and dies while on vacation in Warm Springs, GA.
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US President Harry S. Truman fires Douglas MacArthur from command of US forces in Korea.
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The United States launches the world's first nuclear submarine, USS Nautilus. The nuclear submarine would become the ultimate nuclear deterrent.
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Cuban Revolution. Fidel Castro becomes the leader of Cuba although refrains from declaring the country Communist. Cuban-inspired guerrilla movements spring up across Latin America.
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France successfully tests its first atomic bomb, Gerboise Bleue, in the middle of the Algerian Sahara Desert.
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Bay of Pigs Invasion: A CIA-backed invasion of Cuba by counter-revolutionaries ends in failure.
