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Germany's invasion of Poland marked the start of WWII. This invasion forced Britain and France to declare war on Germany. -
The German Luftwaffe attempted to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force. The RAF's successful defense prevented a German invasion of Britain. -
The systematic genocide carried out by Nazi Germany, resulting in the murder of six million Jews and millions of others. The Holocaust is one of history's most horrific atrocities. -
Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union. The failure of this operation marked a significant turning point in favor of the Allies on the Eastern Front. -
Japan launched a surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This attack led to the United States entering World War II. -
A naval battle in the Pacific War where the US Navy defeated a Japanese fleet. This victory halted Japanese expansion and shifted the balance of power in the Pacific. -
One of the deadliest battles in history, the Soviet Union defended Stalingrad against the German Army. The Soviet victory marked a turning point in the war on the Eastern Front. -
A major battle in North Africa where the Allies, led by General Montgomery, defeated the German Afrika Korps. This victory prevented the Axis from seizing the Suez Canal. -
Allied forces invaded Italy, leading to the fall of Mussolini's regime. The campaign opened a new front and diverted German resources from other areas. -
The last major German offensive on the Western Front, aimed at splitting the Allied forces. The Allies eventually fought off the Germans, hurrying the end of the war in Europe. -
Allied forces launched a massive invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France. This operation began the freeing of Western Europe from Nazi control. -
Allied forces liberated Paris from German control on August 25, 1944. This event symbolized the nearing end of Nazi control in Western Europe. -
The US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9. These bombings led to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II. -
A meeting between Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin to discuss post-war reorganization. The leaders agreed on the division of Germany and the establishment of the United Nations. -
Germany officially surrendered to the Allied forces. This marked the end of World War II in Europe.