-
Germany invaded Poland to regain lost territory and ultimately rule their neighbor to the east. -
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, Philippines,
Guam US and Britain declare war on
Japan Germany and Italy declare war -
Roosevelt orders Japanese and
Japanese Americans in western U.S.
to be exiled to relocation centers
many for the remainder of the war -
Congress first allowed women in the military in May 1942 by creating the Women's Army Auxiliary corps. -
Battle of Savo Island Allied naval forces suffer
one of their most severe losses of the Pacific -
U.S. and British troops land at Anzio on
west Italian coast and hold beachhead -
Battle of the Philippine Sea defeat
of Japanese forces ensures U.S.
naval superiority in the Pacific. Eliminated the Imperial Japanese Navy 's ability to conduct large-scale carrier actions. -
Potsdam Conference: Truman, Churchill, Atlee, Stalin
establish council of foreign ministers to prepare peace
treaties; plan German postwar government and reparations -
Yalta Agreement signed by Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin establishes basis of
occupation of Germany, returns to Soviet Union lands taken by Germany and Japan -
Admiral Doenitz takes command in Germany Hitlerʼs
suicide announced