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Rape of Nanking
Rape of Nanking (December 1937 – January 1938)
Following the capture of China's capital, Nanking, Japanese soldiers carried out a horrific massacre and series of war crimes.Over six weeks, an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 civilians were killed and tens of thousands of women were raped. The atrocity shocked the world and symbolized the brutality of Japanese occupation.It left deep scars on China-Japan relations that persist to this day.
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/japan/nanjing-massacre -
Japanese Invasion of China
Japanese Invasion of China (July 7, 1937)
The Japanese invasion of China began with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, sparking full-scale war between Japan and China. This invasion marked the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War, which later merged into World War II. It caused massive suffering and set the stage for even greater atrocities.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Second-Sino-Japanese-War -
German Invasion of France
German Invasion of France (May–June 1940)
Germany launched a surprise invasion of France in May 1940 using a fast and deadly military tactic called Blitzkrieg, or "lightning war." The Germans bypassed heavily defended French positions and advanced quickly through Belgium and northern France. France surrendered to Germany on June 22, 1940. This gave Hitler control over Western Europe and stunned the Allied powers.
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-france -
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941)
On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The goal was to cripple the U.S. Pacific Fleet and prevent interference with Japan’s expansion in Asia. Over 2,400 Americans were killed, and multiple battleships and aircraft were destroyed. This attack directly led the U.S. to enter World War II.
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa (June 22, 1941)
Operation Barbarossa was Nazi Germany’s massive invasion of the Soviet Union. Hitler broke the non-aggression pact with Stalin, hoping to seize land and eliminate communism. Despite early German advances, the invasion failed due to harsh winters, long supply lines, and Soviet resistance. It opened up the brutal Eastern Front and eventually turned the tide against Germany.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Operation-Barbarossa -
Wannsee Conference
Wannsee Conference (January 20, 1942)
At the Wannsee Conference in Berlin, high-ranking Nazi officials met to coordinate the "Final Solution"—the plan to systematically exterminate all Jews in Europe. This marked the official start of the Holocaust’s industrialized genocide. The meeting outlined how to deport Jews to death camps like Auschwitz. It revealed the cold, bureaucratic planning behind the Nazi atrocities.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Wannsee-Conference -
Battle of Stalingrad
Battle of Stalingrad (August 1942 – February 1943)
The Battle of Stalingrad was one of the bloodiest battles in history, with over 2 million casualties. Germany aimed to capture Stalingrad for its strategic and symbolic value. After months of brutal urban combat, Soviet forces encircled and defeated the German 6th Army. It marked a major turning point in the war, as the Soviets began pushing westward.
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
D-Day (Normandy Invasion
D-Day – Normandy Invasion (June 6, 1944)
D-Day was the largest amphibious invasion in history, as Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, to liberate Western Europe from Nazi control. Over 150,000 troops landed on five beaches under heavy fire. This massive operation marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. It led to the liberation of Paris and much of France in the following months.
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima (Feb 19 – Mar 26, 1945) was a fierce clash between the U.S. and Japan over a strategic volcanic island. The U.S. needed the island for air raids on Japan. More than 70,000 U.S. Marines fought for over a month against heavily fortified Japanese defenses. The battle became iconic, marked by the famous flag-raising photo on Mount Suribachi.
Source: History.com -
VE Day
VE Day – Victory in Europe (May 8, 1945)
VE Day marked the formal surrender of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe. After Adolf Hitler's suicide and the fall of Berlin, Germany surrendered unconditionally to the Allies. Celebrations erupted around the world, especially in Allied nations. Although fighting continued in the Pacific, VE Day gave hope that the global conflict was nearing its end.
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/48201749 -
Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima (Aug 6) and Nagasaki (Aug 9), 1945, killing over 100,000 people and leading to Japan's surrender. The bombings remain controversial but ended the war quickly.
Source: History.com -
VJ Day
VJ Day – Victory over Japan (August 15, 1945)
VJ Day stands for Victory over Japan Day and marks Japan's surrender to the Allied forces, effectively ending World War II. Japan surrendered after the atomic bombings and the Soviet Union's declaration of war against it. The official signing took place on September 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri. VJ Day was celebrated worldwide as the final end of the deadliest war in history.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/V-J-Day -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
Liberation of Concentration Camps (1945)As Allied forces advanced into Germany in early 1945, they began liberating Nazi concentration camps like Auschwitz, Dachau, and Buchenwald.Soldiers and journalists were horrified by the mass graves, emaciated survivors, and the evidence of systematic genocide.
Source: https://www.ushmm.org/learn/timeline-of-events/1942-1945/liberation-of-nazi-camps -
Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge (December 1944 – January 1945)
The Battle of the Bulge was Nazi Germany’s last major offensive on the Western Front. German forces launched a surprise attack through the Ardennes forest, creating a “bulge” in Allied lines. Despite initial success, Allied forces regrouped and pushed back. It was the largest and bloodiest American battle of the war, but a turning point toward victory.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-the-Bulge -
Potsdam Declaration
Potsdam Declaration (July 26, 1945)
The Potsdam Declaration was a final warning issued by the Allies (U.S., U.K., China) demanding Japan’s unconditional surrender. It promised “prompt and utter destruction” if Japan refused. Japan ignored the warning, which led directly to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The declaration shaped postwar Japan and set conditions for peace in the Pacific.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Potsdam-Declaration