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HITLER APPOINTED GERMAN LEADER
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WORLD WAR II BEGINS
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SOVIET UNION INVADES POLAND
Working in concert with Hitler, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin orders the invasion of Poland, securing a share of Polish territory. -
U.S. PLUNGED INTO WAR
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, starting war with the US. Sensing weakness, Hitler declares war on America 4 days later. -
TREATY OF VERSAILLES
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UK WINS WAR’S FIRST SEA BATTLE
British cruisers defeat a German pocket battleship at the Battle of the River Plate, the first major naval engagement of World War II. -
BRITAIN FIGHTS FOR ITS LIFE
The Battle of Britain pits German bombers against British fighters in a thwarted German prelude to invasion. -
WARSAW CAPTURED
Warsaw surrenders to German troops. Poland holds out for another 9 days before capitulating. -
NORWAY INVADED
Germany invades Norway, ending a 6-month period of limited land operations called the “Phony War.” -
PARIS FALLS TO NAZIS
Paris falls to German forces. France capitulates 11 days later.