Japan invades China, initiating World War II in the Pacific
Nazi-Soviet Pact – Alliance between Hitler and Stalin which agreed to divide Poland between the two countries.
Germany invades Poland, initiating World War II in Europe
Britain and France declared war on Germany.
The Soviet Union invades Poland from the east
Warsaw surrenders
Italy enters the war
Germany, Italy, and Japan sign the Tripartite Pact.
Hungary joins the Axis
Romania joins the Axis
Slovakia joins the Axis.
The air war known as the Battle of Britain ends in defeat for Nazi Germany.
Bulgaria joins the Axis
German advance in Russia halted by Russian winter and Russian counterattacks
Japan bombs Pearl Harbor
The United States declares war on Japan, entering World War II
Nazi Germany and its Axis partners declare war on the United States.
British and US navies halt the Japanese naval advance in the central Pacific at Midway.
The Germans launch a final offensive in the west, known as the Battle of the Bulge, in an attempt to re-conquer Belgium and split the Allied forces along the German border.
The Soviets launch their final offensive, encircling Berlin.
Hitler commits suicide
Germany surrendered ending the war in Europe
The United States drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
The United States drops an atomic bomb on Nagasaki.
Having agreed in principle to unconditional surrender on August 14, 1945, Japan formally surrenders, ending World War II.
