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June 6, 1944 D Day
D Day was the first day of Operation Overlord. Allied troops successfully landed on the beaches of Normandy (France). Troops from Great Britain, The United States and Canada began to push the German army back and eventually out of France. This day gives hope to all countries that have been occupied by Germany. The end is near! Or is it? (www.history.com) -
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was Germany's last major offensive. They tried to recapture Belgium and split the Allied troops along the German border. They chose to fight over a 75 mile stretch of snowy forests hoping to exhaust the Allied troops. What they did not understand was that The Red Army was skilled at fighting during winter. (www.army.mil) -
Soviets push ahead, Germans retreat!
The Soviets launch a new offensive against the Nazis in Eastern Europe. These soldiers were used to fighting in the harsh winter months. They liberate Warsaw and Krakow, Poland. (www.onthisday.com) -
Liberation of Concentration Camps
The Red Army, the Soviets, liberate Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. Although most of the prisoners had been forced onto the death march, about 7,000 were left behind. The Germans wanted to hide their concentration camps and started to move the healthier ones into Germany to continue to use them as labor. As Allied forces moved in they liberated different death camps at different times. (www.iwm.org.uk) -
Rest In Peace Anne Frank
Although Auschwitz had been liberated, the suffering of the prisoners had not stopped. Anne Frank and her sister Margot were sent to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Anne and Margot died of typhus sometime in February 1945 while still prisoners. British soldiers liberated Bergen-Belsen on April 15, 1945. (www.annefrank.org) -
Hitler Commits Suicide
Hitler killed himself by gunshot in his Fuhrer Bunker in Berlin, Germany. His wife, Eva Braun, took cyanide pills to also take her own life. He knew the war was over and he did not want to be captured by the Red Army. (www.history.com) -
V-E Day (Victory in Europe)
On May 2, 1945 The Red Army conquered Berlin, Germany. On May 7, 1945 Germany Surrendered to the Western Allies. May 9, 1945 Germany officially surrenders to the Soviets. So.... May 8, 1945 is the Official Day of celebration for Victory in Europe. (www.history.com) -
Dropping of Atomic Bomb
The War in Europe is over, but Japan is still fighting in the Pacific. America is still at war. President Eisenhower chooses to drop the first Atomic bomb on Hiroshima & Nagasaki Japan. He does not want send troops into Japan and loose more US soldiers. He warned the Emperor, but he would not surrender. (www.army.mil) -
V - J Day (Victory over Japan)
Two atomic bombs had devastated two important cities. The Emperor of Japan, Hirohito, finally surrenders on August 15, 1945. The United States wins war in Pacific. This is the official end of World War II. (www.history.com)
