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Attack on Pearl Harbor
Japan launched a surprise attack on America's naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This event forced America to join WW2. -
Breaking the Japanese Code
During WW2, most messages were sent to troops over radio. This meant that any country could listen in on your message. To keep their messages secret, the Japanese talked in code. By March 1942, America had broken Japan's code. America was able to know in advance where Japan was going to attack. This lead to American victories in New Guinea and at Midway. -
Fall of the Philippines
When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, they also attacked the American-owned Philippines. General MacArthur and his troops survived for 3 months in the Bataan Peninsula as they tried to fight off the Japanese Army. Sensing defeat, Roosevelt evacuated MacArthur to Australia so he could keep leading the army in the Pacific. Captured American troops endured the "Bataan Death March" - the Japanese army marched them across the Philippines under brutal conditions. 10,000 men died on the march. -
Doolittle Raid
America had to get close enough to Japan in order to send bombers. America used an aircraft carrier to launch long-range bombers (B-25s). America bombs Japan for the first time. The bombers then had to land in China due to lack of fuel. The aircraft carrier still wasn't able to safety get close enough to Japan. -
Battle of Midway
Thank's to America's codebreakers, America knew Japan was going to attack the American naval base on Midway Island. America ambushes the Japanese when they arrive at Midway. The Battle of Midway was a turning point in the war. The Japanese navy lost four large carriers—the heart of its fleet. Just six months after Pearl Harbor, the United States had stopped the Japanese advance. -
Island Hopping
American troops fought their way across the Pacific, taking control of strategic islands. As they did so, American troops inched closer to Japan and made it easier for American bombers to reach Japan. -
D-Day
D-Day took place in Europe and signaled the beginning of the end of fighting in Europe. -
Battle of Leyte Gulf
MacArthur fights his way back to the Philippines. The Japanese fleet tried to fight America off in Leyte Gulf. It was the biggest naval battle in history. Fearing more US ships were on the way, the Japanese retreated. By March 1945, America had complete control of the Philippines. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The pilots needed an island closer to Japan so the B-29s could refuel while bombing Japan. American military planners chose Iwo Jima. On February 19, 1945, some 60,000 marines landed on Iwo Jima. America won the island, but it came at a cost - 6,800 marines were killed in the battle. -
Firebombing Japan
To help the B-29s hit their targets, he ordered them to drop bombs filled with napalm—a type of jellied gasoline. The bombs would not only explode but would also start fires. Even if the B-29s missed their targets, the fires they started would spread to the intended targets. B-29s attacked Tokyo on March 9, 1945. As strong winds fanned the flames, the firestorm grew so intense that it sucked the oxygen out of the air, suffocating thousands - including innocent civilians. -
Victory in Europe
Fighting ends in Europe when Germany surrenders -
Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
America created the Atomic Bomb during the war. In order to force Japan to surrender, America dropped an Atomic Bomb on the city of Hiroshima, instantly killing up to 120,000 civilians. When Japan did not surrender, America dropped another Atomic Bomb on the city of Nagasaki, instantly killing up to 74,000 people. -
Victory in Japan
Japan surrenders and the war ends.