Hitler gives the final orders to its army to invade poland
German airborne elements begun bombing polish defensive targets
Finland finally accepts to surrender to Russia after months of fighting and countless lives lost.
German paratroopers land and takes down the Belguim fortress
Japan bombs pearl harbor with no previous warning
The U.S. Congress pass the vote to engage in war with Japan and Germany
Colonel Doolittle’s air ride on Japan was a great morale boost for the americans
The U.S. Army engineering corp begin research on the Manhattan project, the atom bomb
First major defeat of a German army since the war began.
Italy formally surrenders to the Allies, and Allied troops land on the Italian peninsula. But German forces occupy Rome, and Mussolini re-establishes a Fascist government.
Battle of the Philippine Sea, in which U.S. carrier-based aircraft engage and inflict crippling losses on Japanese carrier-based aircraft.
The Germans begin a counter-offensive in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg, the "Battle of the Bulge."
US forces push the German army back into Germany, winning the Battle of the Bulge.
Adolf Hitler commits suicide.
On May 8, V-E (Victory in Europe) Day, Germany unconditionally surrenders its remaining armies to Allied commanders. A ceremonial second surrender takes place the following day in Soviet-occupied Berlin.