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Start of WWII
Germany invades Poland initiating World War II in Europe -
Nations Declare War
Honoring their guarantee of Poland’s borders, Great Britain and France declare war on Germany. -
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Germany Invades Denmark
Germany invades Denmark and Norway. Denmark surrenders on the day of the attack; Norway holds out until June 9. -
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Blitzkrieg
Germany uses quick strikes called blitzkrieg, meaning lightning war, to take over much of Western Europe including the Netherlands, Belgium, and northern France. -
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill becomes leader of the British government. -
Italy Enters the War
Italy enters the war. Italy invades southern France on June 21. -
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Battle of Britain
The air war known as the Battle of Britain ends in defeat for Nazi Germany. -
Tripartite Pact
Germany, Italy, and Japan sign the Tripartite Pact, forming the Axis Alliance. -
Axis Powers Attack
Germany and the Axis Powers attack Russia with a huge force of over four million troops. -
Pearl Harbor
The Japanese attack the US Navy in Pearl Harbor. The next day the US enters World War II on the side of the Allies. -
Battle of Midway
British and US navies halt the Japanese naval advance in the central Pacific at Midway. The US Navy defeats the Japanese navy at the Battle of Midway. -
Allies Invade Sicily
The Allies invade and take the island of Sicily. -
Italy Surrenders
Italy surrenders to the Allies, however Germany helps Mussolini to escape and set up a government in Northern Italy. -
D-Day
British and US troops successfully land on the Normandy beaches of France, opening a “Second Front” against the Germans. Known as D-day -
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Allies Reach Paris
Allied troops reach Paris. On August 25, Free French forces, supported by Allied troops, enter the French capital. By September, the Allies reach the German border; by December, virtually all of France, most of Belgium, and part of the southern Netherlands are liberated. -
Battle of the Bulge
The Germans launch a large attack in the Battle of the Bulge. They lose to the Allies sealing the fate of the German army. By January 1, 1945, the Germans are in retreat. -
US Marines Invade Iwo Jima
US Marines invade the island of Iwo Jima. After a fierce battle they capture the island. -
Rhine River
US troops cross the Rhine River at Remagen. -
Roosevelt Dies
US President Franklin Roosevelt dies. He is succeeded by President Harry Truman. -
Soviets Launch Final Offense
The Soviets launch their final offensive, encircling Berlin. -
Hitler Commits Suicide
Adolf Hitler commits suicide knowing Germany has lost the war. -
Germany Surrenders
Germany surrenders to the western Allies. -
Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima
The United States drops the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. The city is devastated. -
Atomic Bomb on Nagasaki
Another atomic bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. -
World War II Ends
Having agreed in principle to unconditional surrender on August 14, 1945, Japan formally surrenders to Allies, ending World War II.
