• 1939

    1939
    On September 1, 1939, Hitler invaded Poland from the west; two days later, France and Britain declared war on Germany, beginning World War II.
  • 1939

    1939
    Working in concert with Hitler, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin orders the invasion of Poland, securing a share of Polish territory.
  • 1939

    1939
    British cruisers defeat a German pocket battleship at the Battle of the River Plate, the first major naval engagement of World War II.
  • 1940

    1940
    Germany invades Norway, ending a 6-month period of limited land operations called the “Phony War.”
  • 1940

    1940
    Paris falls to German forces. France capitulates 11 days later.
  • 1941

    1941
    Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, starting war with the US. Sensing weakness, Hitler declares war on America 4 days later.
  • 1945

    1945
    Hitler's suicide and the German unconditional surrender on 8 May 1945.