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Battle of the Coral Sea
The Battle of the Coral Sea was a pivotal naval battle between the US, Australia, and Japan in World War II. It was the first battle in history where opposing fleets fought entirely with aircraft carriers. They never directly sighted or fired upon each other. It was part of Japan's plan to seize Port Moresby in New Guinea to strengthen its control over the pacific. Allied forces intercepted the Japanese forces leading to intense airstrikes. -
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Invasion of Ethiopia
Also referred to as the Second Italo-Ethiopian war, the Invasion of Ethiopia was Italy's attempt to expand its empire. This was following a defeat in the first Italo-Ethiopian War. They attacked with modern weapons and chemical attacks which overpowered Ethiopians. All though the League of Nations Condemned the invasion they couldn't stop it. -
Occupation of the Rhineland
Following World War I, the Treaty of Versailles stated that the Rhineland must be demilitarized and occupied by the Allies. Hitler, Defying the treaty, sent his forces to test Britain and France's patience to enforce the treaty. This was the start of Hitler's ascension. -
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Winter War
The Winter War was fought between the Soviets and Finland. It took place in the early months of World War II where the Soviets wanted to expand their territory and secure Leningrad. After failed negotiations, they invaded finland. After a tactic and two year war, it ended with the Moscow Peace Treaty. -
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Invasion of Poland
Germany launched an attack and the Soviet Union joined on September 17, leading to Poland's swift defeat. -
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Invasion of Poland
Nazi Germany Launched a surprise attack, marking the start of World War II. Germany overwhelmed Polish defenses with rapid tank movements, air strikes, and infantry advances. Poland was outnumbered and outgunned so the country was fully occupied and divided between germany and the soviet union in the end. -
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Battle of Dunkirk
The Battle of Dunkirk was a critical moment in World War II. The Allies were trapped by advancing German troops in northern France. The British launched Operation Dynamo which essentially was a large evacuation effort. -
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Casablanca Conference
The Casablanca Conference was a strategic meeting between U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The main issues were unconditional surrender from Germany, Italy, and Japan. Invasion of Sicily and strategic bombing campaigns. -
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the German invasion of the Soviet union. It was the largest military operation in history. It involved millions of troops and tried to quickly defeat the soviet Union. It had initial German success but eventually failed because of tough winter conditions and other factors. -
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Battle of Moscow
The Battle of Moscow was a pivotal conflict on the Eastern Front of World War II. It was the First major defeat of Nazi Germany's Operation Barbarossa. It shifted the war's momentum and boosted Soviet morale that lead to other victories. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor was attacked by surprise on the morning of December 7, 1941. Japanese forces bombed military battleships, air milities, and military targets, killing over 2,400 americans prompting the US to join World War II. -
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Occupation of the Rhineland
Known as the "Black Christmas", the fall of Hong Kong was caused by the japanese invading the British colony. Thousands of Allied troops and civilians were taken prisoner. -
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Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was a turning point in the Pacific theater fought between the United states and japan during WWII. This took place about six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. -
Doolittle Raid
It was a U.S. air attack on Tokyo and other Japanese cities. James H. Doolittle led the raid that involved 16 B-25 bombers launched from an aircraft carrier, the USS Hornet. It was another American morale boost after the attack on Pearl Harbor. -
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Battle of Stalingrad
This battle was one of the most decisive battles of World War II fought between Nazi Germany and Soviet Union for control of Stalingrad, Russia. -
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Invasion of Sicily
Also known as "Operation Husky", the Invasion of Sicily was the first major Allied assault on Axis-held territory in Europe. It also marked the beginning of the Italian Campaign. -
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Liberation of Concentration Camps
The first Concentration Camp that was liberated was Majdanek in 1944. Later liberated the famous Auschwitz on January 27, 1945, and from then on they freed camps like, Buchenwald, Dachau, and Bergen Belsen. The Survives were generally in horrible condition, malnourished, plagued to disease, and traumatized by the experience. -
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Battle of Monte Cassino
It was an important battle in the Italian Campaign of World War II. Allied forces Launched four major assaults against German positions in central Italy. The battle caused heavy losses on both sides but Polish forces led the final assault to victory. -
Death of Adolf Hitler
One of the final moments in World War two was the reported suicide of Adolf Hitler and murder of Eva Braun in a underground bunker in berlin. This moment effectively ended the war. -
Battle of Normandy (D-day)
The Battle of Normandy was the largest seaborne invasion in history involving over 156,000 Allied troops landing across five beachheads in Normandy. This day is remembered as "D-day" because of the widespread chaos and over 10,000 Allied forces casualties, as well as another 4-9 thousand german losses. -
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Nuremberg Trials
The Nuremberg Trials were series of military tribunals held after World War II to prosecute Nazi leaders and generals for their war crimes. The trials took place in Nuremberg, Germany, by the Allied powers. Of the 24 top officials on trial, 12 were sentenced to death, 3 acquitted, and the rest were imprisoned for various sentences. -
Surrender of Germany
After a long and bloody war, the unconditional surrender of Germany in World War II was signed after 6 long years. The day is remembered as Victory in Europe Day or VE Day. -
Atomic bombing of Hiroshima
The US dropped an atomic bomb nicknamed "Little Boy", killing tens of thousands and causing widespread destruction in response to the Bombing of Pearl Harbor. -
The Bombing of Nagasaki
Shortly after the Bombing of Hiroshima, the US dropped a second bomb on Nagasaki that forced japan to unconditionally surrender on august 15.erw -
Formation of the United Nations
The UN was founded after in the aftermath of World War II to try to keep international peace and prevent another war.