World War II

Rape of Nanking

Dec 13, 1932

History.com sourceGeneral Matsui of the Japanese forces, in attempt to weaken the Chinese resistence, ordered the annhiliation of the Nanking City. 150,000 "war prisoners" and 50,000 male citizens were killed, with at least 20,000 females raped in the process. Near the end of WWII, Matsui was executed for war crimes.
(photo source: http://factsanddetails.com/china/cat2/sub5/item1873.html)

Japanese Invasion of China

Jul 7, 1937

History Net Source Around the Marco Polo Bridge near Beijing, China, a military conflict between China and Japan eventually lead to open warfare. This is often considered the Second Sino-Japanese War. It included over one million Japanese troops attempting to conquer China while "extending their supply lines". This event ended the ninth of September in 1945. This was of course not one of Japans greatest success's.

Germany's Invasion of Poland

Sep 1, 1939

Second World War SourceFor Hitler to have greater succcess with overpowering Europe, the invasion of Poland played a key role. A "nonagression pact" was developed with the Soviet, so that Germany could invade Poland. Despite this "pact", it did not stop Britain and France from objecting. The results were 66,000 Polish, 16,300 German, and up to 5,300 Soviet soldiers dead, only for Germans to still occupy Poland.

German Blitzkrieg

Sep 1, 1939

History.com sourceThe use of consecutive miliary weapons at the front of battle was used to dispel a sort of shock amoung the enemy. It was what some would call a "firepower" tactic in that the attack was swift, effective, and simple. This was used by the Germans against Poland, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and various other countries with roughly 42,000 deaths in total.

Fall of Paris

Jun 14, 1940

History.com sourceBeing aware of the German enemy, Prime Minister Winston Churchill requested the U.S's assistence againste the enemy. This was an informal invitation for war after 2 million Paris civilians fled from German troops with no aid from America.
(photo source; https://www.pinterest.com/pin/128352658102495008/)

Operation Barbaroosa

Jun 22, 1941

History.com sourceWith over three million German soldiers, Hitler lead the most "crucial turning point" in World War II against the Soviet Union. This took place along the North Cape to the Black Sea, and caused Nazi Germany to face a "two-front war". Despite Hitler's plan to conquer the Soviet Union, this was just another failure with many lives lost.
(photo source: http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1761.html)

Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

History.com sourceJapanese soldiers hoped to destroy the Pacific Fleet by bombing Pearl Harbor. This location was chosen as it came as a surprise, given it was about 4,000 miles away from Japan. Nonetheless, the deaths of roughly 2,00 civilians lead to the Declaration of war.
(photo source: http://www.dewereldmorgen.be/artikels/2011/12/27/pearl-harbor-mythe-en-werkelijkheid)

Wannsee Conference

Jan 20, 1942

Ushmm.org sourceAt Wannsee, a suburb of Berlin, fifteen prestige Nazi officials met to discuss hte "Final Solution" of the Jewish peoples. This "Final Solution" entailed just how the Nazis would murder an estimated 11 million Jews. The Wannsee House is now a Holocaust memorial. (photo source: http://www.britannica.com/event/Wannsee-Conference)

Bataan Death March

Apr 9, 1942

History.com sourceAbout 75,000 Filipino and American troops were expected to march 65 miles on the Philippine island of Luzon. This occured after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, as it gave the Japansese the advantage to execute their plan, which invloved invading the Philippines. Thousands died on the Bataan peninsula due to starvation and disease. (photo source: http://olive-drab.com/od_history_ww2_stories_1942bdm.php)

Warsaw Ghettto Uprising

Apr 19, 1943

USHMM sourceAcross Eastern Europe, there wre many Jews in the ghettos organizing resistances. After smuggling weapons, Jews being deported from Warsaw fought German soldiers. After a month, the German soldiers unfortunately triumphed, with over 56,000 Jews deported. (photo source: http://www.oldpicz.com/warsaw-ghetto-uprising/)

Operation Gomorrah

Jul 24, 1943

History.com sourceDue to the many deaths Britain endured by Germans, revenge ensued. In Hamburg, Germany, many British bombers coducted a raid that lead to the deaths of over 30,000 people in total. (photo source: https://ghostofelberry.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/cats-goblins-hamburg-imperialism-the-eastern-wind/)

D-Day(Normandy Invasion)

Jun 6, 1944

HistoryNet sourceWhat is deemed "the larges seaborne invasion in history", D-Day took place betwee the Allied nations and Germany. This involved lmost 3 million troops along the English Channel from England to Normandy, France. This occured in hopes of putting an end t WWII-and it certainly helped. (photo source: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/06/remembering_d-day_66_years_ago.html)

Battle of the Bulge

Dec 16, 1944

History.com sourceThis month long battle was fought on hte Western front-German vs. Allies. It was Hitler's attempt to "split" the Allies. However, the Allied line eventually formed a large bulge formation against the Nazi army forces. This lead to the "neutralization" of the Germans. (photo source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/12/141214-battle-of-the-bulge-hitler-churchill-history-culture-ngbooktalk/)

Liberation of Concentration Camps

Jan 27, 1945

USHMM sourceOnce Allied troops made it through Europe, many concentration camps were found and brought to an end. These camps consisted of many starving, dead, and diseased Jews. The Soviets managed to free those left in Auschwitz(the largest camp) amoung other camps.(photo source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dachau_concentration_camp)

Operation Thunderclap

Feb 13, 1945

History.com sourceOtherwise known as "the bombin of Dresden", this was the "most destructive" bombing of WWII. The Germans were already on the edge of surrender, yet as many as 35,000 people died due to a "punishment" to weaken them further was commited by the Allied forces. (photo sources: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20070706011932/http:/www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/mar45.html)

Battle of Iwo Jima

Feb 19, 1945

History.com sourceAmerican Marines overcame many Japanese troops as the need for their coast arose during WWII. This victory was able to occur as many Japanese soldiers primarily guarded inland-leaving the coast far more vulnerable. This was a win for the Marines, but at the cost of more warfare and 5,900 lives. (photo source: http://www.texasveteransblog.com/iwo-jima-survivor-honored-for-70th-anniversary-of-iconic-battle/)

Battle of Okinawa

Apr 1, 1945

History.com sourceKnown as one of the bloodiest battles of WWII, battle of Okinawa involved many Japanese suicide squads for the purpose of destruction. The Allies wanted to use Okinawa as a means to invade Japan via air force. This resulted in roughly 50,000 Allied and 100,000 Japan casualties. (photo source: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/04/21/national/history/ex-nurse-recalls-battle-okinawa-aims-share-misery-war/)

VE Day

May 8, 1945

BBC sourceKnown as "victory in Europe Day", this was a time of British celebration as Nazi Germany surrendered. After Hitler's suiced, Grand Admiral Donitz deemed it fit to end the war. Many celebrated, while others mourned loved ones in this moment of victory. (photo source: http://britishdemocraticparty.org/68th-anniversary-of-ve-day/)

Dropping of the Atomic Bombs

Aug 6, 1945

History.com sourceDespite many warnings, President Harry S. Truman ordered that an atomic bomb be dropped on Japan. This resulted in the deaths of 80,000 people and lead to "the End of WWII". Japan of course surrendered some days later. (photo source: http://resourcesforhistoryteachers.wikispaces.com/WHII.27)

VJ Day

Aug 15, 1945

History.com sourceVJ Day, or "Victoryover Japan Day", was the day that Japan surrendered to the Allied forces after the atomic bomb was dropped. This officially ended WWII. (photo source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-J_Day_in_Times_Square)