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Pearl Harbor
Japan was expanding their empire throughout the pacific. To try to deter Japan on continuing to invade countries they put a trade embargo. In response of the embargo and to try and destroy the U.S Pacific fleet so they could continue to take over the pacific. The Japanese did two full blown attacks on the Harbor. It was a surprise to the Americans Due to a slow telegram that did not get to the base fast enough. This would be the event that Brought the U.S into the war. -
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U.S declares war on Japan
This was done in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor. -
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Italy and Germany declares war on U.S
Since Japan was apart of the Axis powers ,so since the U.S Declared war on Japan. Italy and Germany declared war in response. -
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Battle of the Atlantic
Despite that the Battle of the Atlantic lasted pretty much the whole war these were the most decisive dates. German U-Boats were sinking unprotected U.S and other Allie ships. The Allies in response used convoys and radar to protect the ships. At first the Germans were very successful ,but during these dates radar advanced. Making it very difficult for the U-Boats to carry out attacks pretty much neutralizing them. -
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The battle of the coral sea
U.S and Australian fought and stopped Japan's invasion for the first time despite losing. The U.S would begin to island hop to weaken the Japanese military. -
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Battle of midway
U.S Admiral Chester Nimitz intercepted a Japanese code. The U.S launched a surprise attack on Japan at the island of Midway. The U.S won with little casualties and lost machinery. The Japanese had large amounts of casualties and loss machinery. -
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Battle of Stalingrad
Germany violated their nonaggression act with Russia. Hitler goal was to capture the Soviet oil fields. They nearly won till winter hit and the soviets used their advantage to defeat the Nazis. This would end up being the turning point of the war. -
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D-Day
The largest Sea-Air invasion in history. 150,000 Allie troops invaded the beaches of Normandy. It was a very bloody campaign that put the Nazis on their heels. There was a total of 6,036 casualties for the Americans. -
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France Liberated
After D-Day the invasion continued to france where they were finally able to liberate France from Nazi Control. -
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Battle of the Bulge
The Germans were trying to capture Antwerp. German tanks would break through American lines leading to the most extensive of the U.S military. Despite Germany winning for most of the battle in the end the U.S won. -
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Yalta conference
FDR, Stalin, and Churchill met in Yalta in the Soviet Union to discuss post WWII. The United Nations was created from this conference. -
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Iwo Jima
This island was critical for the U.S to win. 27,000 Japanese held the Island, but lost 26,800 and lost the island. -
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Battle of Owkinawa
Japan's last defensive stronghold, Japan used Kamikaze attacks, but despite the extreme tactic the U.S won. -
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V-E Day
Victory in Europe Day. General Eisenhower accepts a surrender By the Third Reich. 1st part of the war is over. -
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Potsdam
Truman, Churchill (then Clement Atlee), and Stalin met in Potsdam Germany. Made a blueprint to disarm Germany and eliminate the Nazi regime. They would go on to divide Germany into four sections occupied by France, Britain, U.S, and Soviet Union. Berlin was divided into east and west Berlin. Also the Nuremberg Trials were set up to prosecute Nazi leaders. -
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Hiroshima
The first city that was attacked with a nuclear bomb that was a product from the Manhattan project in the U.S. This bomb was called the "little boy" and flattened the city in 43 seconds. This helped force the Japanese into surrender. -
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Nagasaki
The second city that was attacked with a nuclear bomb. This bomb was called the "Fat man", and was another product of the American born Manhattan Project. Leveled half of the city. -
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Japan offers unconditional surrender
With the U.S making headway into Japan after the two nuclear bombs. The loss of life, resources etc was too leading to the offer of surrender. -
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September 2 1945 V-J Day
V-J Day=Victory in Japan Day (formal surrender). The U.S would then occupy Japan for a short period of years. The second world war comes to an official end. -
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Nuremberg trials
An international tribunal court tried Nazi officials. Over 23 nations tried Nazi war criminals in Nuremberg, Germany. 12 of 22 defendants were sentenced to death. 200 other officials were found guilty, but given lesser sentences.