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Hitler comes to power in Germany.
Hitler comes to power in Germany. Hitler was a powerful and spellbinding speaker who attracted a wide following of Germans desperate for change. He promised the disenchanted a better life and a new and glorious Germany. -
Concentration camps.
Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues are looted and burned by Nazis. Many Jews are killed, and thousands are taken to concentration camps. -
War on Germany.
France and Great Britain declare war on Germany. Seven days later, Canada declares war on Germany. -
Prime Minister of Great Britain.
Germany invades Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister of Great Britain. -
France surrenders
France surrenders to Germany. Canada expands war effort. -
Battle of the Atlantic
Troops and equipment from Canada start moving in carriers across the Atlantic. Battle of the Atlantic is underway. -
Soviet Union
Germany invades Russia. Russia (Soviet Union) joins Allied powers. -
First Canadian Army
Canada agrees to send two divisions of the Canadian army to Hong Kong to defend the British colony against Japan. A month later, first Canadian Army is established in England under General McNaughton. -
Soldiers are taken prisoner.
Hong Kong surrenders to Japan; Canadian soldiers are taken prisoner. Canada declares war on Japan. -
Gas Chamber
Hitler carries out massive gas chamber killings and forced labour of Jews in concentration camps throughout Europe. -
Japanese Canadians
Japanese Canadians on the west coast are evacuated to camps. -
Canadian troops participate in Sicily.
Canadian troops participate in the invasion of Sicily. Mussolini is overthrown; Germans continue to fight Allies in Italy. -
D-Day
D-Day: Allied landings on the coast of France begin at Normandy. Allies gain a foothold in Europe. -
Allied landings in Southern France
Allied landings in Southern France continue to clear the Channel Coast. Canadians help liberate Falaise in northern France. On August 25, Paris is liberated. -
V-E Day
V-E Day: Victory in Europe for the Allies. Now Allied forces focus on defeating Japan, with the U.S. in the forefront of this attack. -
Atomic bomb on Hiroshima
United States drops the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima; then, a second atomic bomb is dropped on Nagasaki. On Augest 14, Japan surrenders. -
End of World War II
World War II is officially over. Formal surrender ceremonies take place onboard Battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay.