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Great Britain and France formally declare war on Germany.
The Delcartion of war leading to the biggest World War and thousands of deaths. -
Although President Roosevelt has declared American neutrality in the war in Europe, a Neutrality Act is signed that allows the US to send arms and other aid to Britain and France.
America is doing thier share in the war by sending men in to help. -
Mussolini and Hitler announce Italy's formal alliance with Germany against England and France.
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Italy declares war on Britain and France, and U.S. President Roosevelt announces a shift from neutrality to "non-belligerency," meaning more active support for the Allies against the Axis.
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Germany, Italy and Japan enter into a 10-year military and economic alliance that comes to be known as the "Axis". Hungary and Romania later on join The Axis in November.
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German troops invade Soviet Russia, breaking the "nonaggression" pact signed in 1939. Two days later, President Roosevelt promises US aid to Russia.
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The Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor forced the US into the war at the same time when Hitler was stopped near Moscow.
This is a turning point because since this battle the final outcome of the war was inevitable. -
Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S. President Roosevelt calls an end to official U.S. neutrality in the war in Europe, declaring war on Germany and Italy.
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Canadian commando troops attack the coastal French city of Dieppe, but German defenders abort the raid and 3,500 Canadians are lost.
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The Battle of Stalingrad begins. Ready to claim the lifes of Russian, German, Romanian, Italian and Hungarian soilders
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Forces representing Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the U.S. capture the southeaster tip of New Guinea from Japanese troops, in an attempt to protect Australia from a Japanese invasion.
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The Battle of Kursk begins. Soviet troops will eventually defeat the Germans.
Turning point: After the Kursk and Stalingrad battle the Russian army gained the initiative and moved from defense to offense, an attack which pushed the German army all the way back to Berlin. -
"D-Day": The Allied invasion of Europe commences just after midnight, as more than 175,000 troops land at Normandy. The largest invasion force in history, it includes 4,000 invasion ships, 600 warships, and 10,000 planes.
Turning point: This event was the start of which where the Allied would start to conquer and soon be able to finish this war. -
More than 600 people are massacred by German troops in the French town of Oradour-sur-Glane.
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In the U.S., President Roosevelt signs the Servicemen's Readjustment Act that will provide funds for housing and education after the war. It is better known as the GI Bill of Rights.
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As U.S starts to take over Saipan, hundreds of Japanese civilians commit suicide rather than surrender. Allied B-29 bombers can reach Tokyo from Saipan.
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The Battle of the Bulge begins. It the last major German counteroffensive, as allied troops are pushed back in Belgium's Ardennes Forest.
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As Russian shells start falling on Berlin, Hitler marries his long-term girlfriend Eva Braun in his library in a bomb proof Berlin bunker. He then poisons her and kills himself. His remains are never recovered.
His death ends the the battle and WW2. -
Germany surrenders unconditionally to General Eisenhower at Rheims, France, and to the Soviets in Berlin. President Truman pronounces the following day, May 8, V-E Day. The U.S., Russia, England, and France agree to split occupied Germany into eastern and western halves.
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The Potsdam conference ends after more than two weeks of deliberations. Allied leaders have been discussing what should become of Germany.