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Germany invades Poland
On September 1, 1939, without warning, Nazi Germany attacked Poland. Germanys planes bombed many Polish cities, including the capital, Warsaw. -
Chamberlain Replaces Churchill
William Chamberlain was forced to resign. Neville Chamberlain took over as British Prime Minister. Lord Halifax was offered the position, before Chamberlain, but turned it down. -
Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor
Japan surprise attacks the U.S. at the Naval Base of Pearl Harbor. Four battleships were sunk, and three were damaged. 2,402 U.S. soldiers were killed, and 1,247 were injured. -
Germany and Italy Declare War on U.S.
Both Italy and Germany declare war on the United States. The U.S. responds, with a declaration of war. -
FDR Approves Nuclear Development
President Roosevelt signed an order creating a secret project to develop nuclear weapons. This was the largest secret project the United States has ever been involved in. -
Victory At the Battle of Midway
This battle decreased Japanese confidence, in continuing through the Pacific, towards the U.S.. The battle was won over a three day period. The tiny island, 1,000 miles north-west of Hawaii, was targeted as a potential launching pad for the Japanese advance. -
Victory at Stalingrad
The Germans surrender, due to the defeat of their sixth army. The official statement said: "Our forces have now completed the liquidation of the German Fascist troops encircled in the area of Stalingrad. "The last centre of enemy resistance in the Stalingrad area has thus been crushed." -
Italy announces a surrender
Italy signed an unconditional armstice with the Allies. The surrender was signed five days earlier, in secret by a representative of Marshal Pietro Badoglio, Italy's prime minister since the downfall of Benito Mussolini in July. -
D-Day
Allied troops had began landing on the beaches of Normandy in northern France. About 1,300 RAF planes were involved in the first wave of assaults then 1,000 American bombers took up the attack dropping bombs on targets in northern France -
U.S. Flag Raised over Iwo Jima
U.S. troops have raised the Stars and Stripes over Iwo Jima four days after landing there. -
Hitler Dies
Adolf Hitler has been killed at the Reich Chancery in Berlin, according to Hamburg radio. A newsreader announced that reports from the Fuhrer's headquarters said Hitler had "fallen at his command post in the Reich Chancery fighting to the last breath against Bolshevism and for Germany". It said he had appointed Grand Admiral Doenitz as his successor. It was later known that Hitler had committed suicide. -
Germany Surrenders
Germany signs an unconditional surrender. This brings an end to a six year war, in Europe. This day is known to be VE Day. -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima
The first atomic bomb has been dropped by a United States aircraft on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Nagasaki
The bomb was dropped by parachute from an American B29 Bomber. It exploded about 1,625 ft (500m) above the ground and is believed to have completely destroyed the city, which is situated on the western side of the Japanese island of Kyushu. -
Japan Surrenders
Japanese officials signed the act of unconditional surrender, which finally brought an end to a six year world war.
