-
Germany invaded France using Blitzkrieg tactics—fast, coordinated attacks with tanks, infantry, and air support. French defenses, including the Maginot Line, were quickly bypassed. Paris fell on June 14, 1940, and France surrendered shortly after. The northern part of the country was occupied by Germany, while the Vichy regime controlled the south.
https://www.britannica.com › event › Battle-of-France-W... -
Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Over 2,400 Americans were killed and much of the Pacific Fleet was damaged. The attack led to the United States entering World War II. It also marked the beginning of direct U.S. involvement in both the Pacific and European theaters.
https://www.nps.gov/perl/index.htm -
Nazi leaders met in Berlin to plan the “Final Solution”—the systematic extermination of Europe’s Jews. The conference coordinated logistics for mass deportations to extermination camps. It formalized the Holocaust, leading to the murder of six million Jews. This bureaucratic meeting marked the beginning of industrialized genocide. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/wannsee-conference-and-the-final-solution -
Jewish resistance fighters in the Warsaw Ghetto rebelled against Nazi forces attempting to deport remaining residents to death camps. Despite limited weapons and supplies, they held off the Germans for almost a month. The uprising was eventually crushed, and the ghetto was destroyed. It became a powerful symbol of Jewish resistance. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/warsaw-ghetto-uprising -
Allied forces bombed the German city of Hamburg in a massive air raid campaign. The bombings created a firestorm that killed around 40,000 civilians and destroyed large parts of the city. It significantly disrupted German industry and morale. Operation Gomorrah was one of the most devastating air raids of the war. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/operation-gomorrah-first-firestorms -
Allied forces launched the largest amphibious invasion in history on the beaches of Normandy, France. Over 150,000 troops landed in one day, pushing into Nazi-occupied territory. The operation marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe. It was a major turning point in the war. https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/research/online-documents/world-war-ii-d-day-invasion-normandy -
Germany launched its last major offensive in the West, hoping to split Allied forces and recapture Belgium. Fighting occurred in harsh winter conditions in the Ardennes Forest. Though the Germans initially gained ground, the Allies pushed them back. It was one of the bloodiest battles for U.S. forces. https://www.army.mil/botb/ -
American Marines invaded the island of Iwo Jima to capture a strategic airbase near Japan. The Japanese defenders fought fiercely, with nearly 18,000 killed. The famous photo of Marines raising the U.S. flag was taken here. It demonstrated how costly an invasion of Japan would be. https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/4069599/battle-of-iwo-jima-80-years-later-lessons-learned/ -
This Allied bombing of Dresden caused a firestorm that killed tens of thousands of civilians. Dresden was not heavily fortified, making the operation controversial. The bombing was part of a strategy to crush German morale and disrupt logistics. It remains a debated example of the ethics of strategic bombing. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA209271 -
As Allied forces pushed into Germany, they discovered and liberated Nazi concentration and extermination camps. These included camps like Buchenwald, Dachau, and Auschwitz. Soldiers found horrific scenes of mass death, starvation, and survivors in critical condition. The liberations exposed the full scale of the Holocaust to the world. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/liberation-of-nazi-camps -
Germany surrendered unconditionally, ending the war in Europe. Celebrations broke out across the Allied nations. Hitler had committed suicide days earlier. While the European front ended, the war in the Pacific continued. https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Experience/VE-Day/ -
The U.S. invaded Okinawa, Japan’s last major stronghold before the mainland. Fighting was brutal, involving kamikaze attacks and massive civilian casualties. Over 200,000 people died, making it the deadliest battle of the Pacific War. The battle showed the high cost of a potential invasion of Japan. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/topics/battle-of-okinawa -
The Allies (U.S., Britain, and China) issued an ultimatum demanding Japan’s unconditional surrender. It warned of “prompt and utter destruction” if Japan refused. The declaration was ignored by Japan. It paved the way for the use of atomic weapons. https://www.ndl.go.jp/constitution/e/etc/c06.html -
The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to force Japan’s surrender. The bombings caused immense destruction and loss of life. Around 200,000 people died from the blasts and radiation. Japan agreed to surrender shortly after. https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/education/presidential-inquiries/decision-drop-atomic-bomb -
Japan announced its surrender on August 15, and the formal signing occurred on September 2 aboard the USS Missouri. This marked the official end of World War II. Celebrations erupted worldwide. The postwar era—and the Cold War—soon began. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/v-j-day