World War 2 Timeline

By Sahibdeeplma

  • 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.