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• WW II began on September 1, 1939 when Hitler invaded Poland
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• By 1940, priests from all over the Nazi Empire were being locked up together at Dachua Concentration Camp.
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• On July 14, 1941, the Soviets introduced a new weapon, the Katyusha, which could fire 320 rockets in 25 seconds. More than 50 years later, the Katyusha remains an effective weapon.[2]
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The Japanese government decides to attack Pearl Harbor if negotiations with the United Stat
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U.S. Naval cryptographers learn from secret code that Japan plans aggressive action if an agreement with the United States is not met.
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Japan dismisses American demands to withdraw forces from China.
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Japanese fighter planes attack the American base at Pearl Harbor destroying U.S. aircraft and naval vessels, and killing 2,355 U.S. servicemen and 68 civilians.
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• On December 8, 1941, Britain and the U.S. declared war on Japan. On December 11, Germany declared war on the U.S. The U.S. is the only nation Germany formally declared war on.[1]
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February 1942
Japan captures Singapore. -
Japan captures the Philippines and Burma.
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June 1942
The tide turns — the Allies defeat Japan in the Battle of Midway. -
Under the leadership of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. troops land in Algiers, Oran, and Casablanca in North Africa.
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Jan 31, 1943
Russians Trap Germany The Russian Red Army traps and captures German armies that had invaded the Soviet Union. -
President Franklin D. Roosevelt warns the Japanese government to cease all aggression toward neighboring countries or else face United States forces.
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RANGEEND_ITALY The Italian government officially surrenders to the Allied powers; still, German forces occupy much of Italy.
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Dec 1, 1943
Cairo Declaration The Allied powers announce the Cairo Declaration in which all three declare their intention to establish an international organization to maintain the peace and security of the world. -
In England, the Allied powers assemble 2.9 million men, 2.5 million tons of supplies, 11,000 airplanes, and hundreds of ships in preparation for D-Day.
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Rome falls to Allied forces.
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: The first of nearly 3 million Allied soldiers arrive in Normandy, on the northern shores of France.
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Jul 24, 1944
Normandy and Brittany Allied troops take large portions of Normandy and Brittany initiating a German retreat. -
U.S. forces, aided by a Free French division, liberate Paris from Nazi control.
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Feb 11, 1945
Big Three in Yalta The Allied powers meet in Yalta to negotiate Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe. The Yalta Conference would result in the dual administrations in Berlin, the break up of Germany, and the prosecution of war criminals. -
President Franklin D. Roosevelt dies of a cerebral hemorrhage in Warm Springs, Georgia.
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The German army signs an unconditional surrender.
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Big Three in Potsdam Allied leaders meet in Potsdam, Germany to send an ultimatum to Japan. Japanese military leaders ruling the government issue no surrender.
