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Japan wanted the US out of the Pacific, so they launched a huge surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Killing and wounding 1000's of sailors and wrecking a huge amount of ships.
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US and Britain declare war on Japan because of what transpired at Pearl Harbor.
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United States commences in its first air raid on Japanese bases on the Gilbert and Marshall Islands
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Largest Japanese air raid since Pearl Harbor in Darwin, Australia
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Decisive victory of the US over Japan at the Battle of the Midway. This victory proved to be both a huge statistical and moral victory for the United States.
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Japan executed 100 POW's on Wake Island due to a "Kill All" order.
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Emperor Hirohito declares his country's situation is "Truly grave".
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Japan begins their last offensive in China as they attack US air bases in Eastern China.
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US finally able to liberate the oppressed country of Guam
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US Air Force prepares to drop the atomic bomb on Japan by establishing the 509th Composite Group to operate the B-29's
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President Roosevelt died, succeeded by Harry S. Truman. The shock is felt throughout the world and the United States armed forces.
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Japanese Premier Suzuki announces that they won't surrender and will fight to the very end.
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Japanese Submarines sunk the USS INDIANAPOLIS, killing 881 crewmen and leaving survivors stranded for two days.
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Colonel Paul Tibbets dropped the first atomic bomb on the heads of Hiroshima.
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Major Charles Sweeney dropped a bomb on Nagasaki from a B-29.
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Aboard the USS MISSOURI in Tokyo Bay, the Japanese officially surrender to the US as 1,000 carrier planes fly over head. Truman declares it VJ Day.
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After the death of over 60 million people, and the suffering of countless people, the United Nations was born.
