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Attack on Pearl Harbor
The Japanese launched a surprise military strike on the United States naval base located in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack led to the United States entering the World War II. There were more than 3400 casualties and over 180 aircraft were destroyed. The US had previously severed all relations with Japan and although they tried to negotiate, the Prime Minister decided on war. -
Battle of Stalingrad
The battle was the most successful Soviet defense of Stalingrad that prevented the German advance into the Soviet Union and marked the turning of the tide in favor of the Allies. It was also one of the bloodiest battles in history. -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion)
The Battle of Normandy led to the Allied liberation of Western Europe from the Nazi's control. American, Canadian, and British forces landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France's Normandy region. By late August 1944, all of northern France was liberated and by the following spring, the Germans were defeated. The Normandy landings were the beginning of the end of the war. -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
The Soviets were the first to liberate concentration camp prisoners in the final stages of the war. They found hundreds of sick and exhausted prisoners in the killing centers. The American, Canadian, British, and French forces worked to save the prisoners. In spite of their effort, many prisoners died days after their release. -
Battle of the Bulge
A major German offensive was launched against the Allies in the Ardennes Mountains region on the Western Front. Hitler attempted to split the Allied armies by a surprise blitzkrieg thrust. The American units were caught off guard and fought through desperate battles. As the German armies went on, the line defining the Allied front took on the appearance of a large bulge. The battle was the costliest action ever fought by the U.S. Army. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The US Marine Corps landed on and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese Army. The area provided a staging area for attacks on the Japanese main islands. The five-week battle comprised of the bloodiest and fiercest fighting of the Pacific War. A photograph of raising the American flag on Mount Suribachi became an iconic image of the battle and the American war effort. -
Battle of Okinawa
The battle was the last major battle of WWII and one of the bloodiest. The US Army descended towards the island of Okinawa for a final push towards Japan. Both sides suffered great losses but the war came to a swift end after the atomic bombs. -
VE Day
The Germans finally surrendered on the Victory in Europe Day. They laid down their arms and the entire nation rejoiced. Previously, Hitler had committed suicide so it was up to Grand Admiral Donitz to to surrender. -
Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
An American B-29 bomber dropped the world's first deployed atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. It immediately killed 80,000 people and tens of thousands would later die from radiation exposure. Three days later, a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing about 40,000 people. Japan's Emperor Hirohito later announced the surrender of his country. -
VJ Day
Victory over Japan Day occurred when Japan surrendered to the Allies, finally ending WWII. Emperor Hirohito urged his people to surrender after hundreds of thousands were killed in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
