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Japanese Invasion of China
The Second SIno-Japanese War (July, 7th 1937 - September, 9th 1945) was a military conflict fought mainly between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan.
The war was the result of a decades-long Japanese imperialist policy aimed at expanding its influence politically and militarily in order to secure access to raw material reserves and other economic resources in the area.
Surrender of all Japanese forces in mainland China. China becomes a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council. -
Germany's Invasion of Poland
The Invasion of Poland (September, 1st 1939 - October, 6th 1939) marked the beginning of WWII in Europe.
The Soviet invasion commenced on 17 September following the Molotov-Tōgō agreement that terminated the Russian and Japanese hostilities in the east on 16 September.
The result was decisive German and Soviet territory. -
German Blitzkrieg
The above date is not completely accurate, because the blitzkrieg happened over a long period of time with no specific date starting the action.
It basically started during the invasion of Poland, and western journalists adopted the term "blitzkrieg" to describe this form of armoured warfare.
The word means "Lightning War". -
Pearl Harbor
A surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor. The attack led to the United States' entry into WWII.
Japan intended the attack as a preventive action to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with military actions the Empire of Japan planned.
The Japanese had a major tactical victory. -
D-Day
The Normandy landings was the largest seaborne invasion in history.
The operation began the liberation of German-occupied northwestern Europe from Nazi control, and contributed to the Allied victory on the Western Front.
The result was decisive allied victory. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
Was a major battle in which the U.S. Marines landed on and eventually captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.
The American invasion had the goal of capturing the entire island, including the three Japanese-controlled airfields to provide a staging area for attacks on the Japanese main islands.
The result was American vistory. -
Battle of Okinawa
Was a series of battles fought in the Ryukyu Islands, centered on the island of Okinawa, and included the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War during World War II.
The Allied forces suffered 14,009 deaths (over 12,500 Americans killed or missing) with an estimated total of more than 82,000 casualties of all kinds. Okinawa was occupied by the U.S. until 1972. -
VE Day
Was the public holiday to mark the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces.
On April 30th, Adolf Hitler, the Nazi leader committed suicide during the Battle of Berlin. The act of military surrender was signed on 7 May in Reims, France and on 8 May in Berlin, Germany.
It marked the end of World War two in Europe. -
Dropping of the atomic bombs
The American Bomber, Enola Gay, dropped a five-ton bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima.
The imprecision of bombing and the use of devastating city bombing in Europe eventually swayed United States Pacific theater military leaders to authorize bombing of Japanese mainland cities.
On August 15th, Japan announced its surrender to the Allies. On September 2nd, it signed the instrument of surrender, effectively ending World War Two. -
VJ Day
Victory over Japan Day is the day on which Japan surrendered in World War II, in effect ending the war.
August 15 is the official V-J Day for the UK, while the official U.S. commemoration is September 2nd. The name, V-J Day, had been selected by the Allies after they named V-E Day for the victory in Europe.
