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Rape of Nanking
The Rape of Nanking is known as a series of mass crimes against Nanking citizens. Thousands of female residents were raped and killed, as well as over 150 000 more war prisoners were murdered. These acts were due to Japan wanting to destroy the City of Nanking because of the fear of losing to them in battle. These crimes' shock is still distressed to this day, haunting the country by all the lost citizens.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-rape-of-nanking -
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Molotov/ Ribbentrop pact
The Molotov-Ribbentrop pact was a treaty signed between Germany and The Soviet Union that promised non-aggression. The signing allowed the Nazi party to invade Poland without the soviet Union getting in the way. It was a way both parties could gain control of Central Europe. This treaty essentially put two of the most powerful dictators at the time alliance to gain more power. https://www.rferl.org/a/molotov-ribbentrop-what-do-russians-know-of-key-wwii-pact/30123950.html -
Fall of Paris
The fall of Paris is known as the invasion of France by German forces. The German offensives crossed into Paris with a plan to execute the country, hoping for a quick victory in World War 2. Germany swiftly defeated the country because of Paris's lack of leadership, leading to Germany gaining over half France's total control.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-enter-paris -
Pearl harbor
Pearl Harbor is a United States Navy bases in Hawaii that suffered an airforce attack by the Japanese Navy. The attacks began by bobs being dropped on multiple battleships and aircraft. These attacks were in efforts to destroy as much of the United States base as possible; also, the Japanese military wanted to delay the U.S. from helping other nations being attacked the same day. It resulted in 2403 deaths; the U.S. military could fight back but faced a significant amount of damage. -
Wannsee conference
The Wannsee Conference was a meeting amongst Nazi and Schutzstaffel leaders, which advanced the idea of deporting all jews out of Germany. This idea determining those of Jewish descent would be sent into labour systems. The conditions available would be difficult due to a large number of Jews in Europe. The members involved with this plan understood it would be the murder of Europe's Jews. Soon concentration camps were put into place, killing millions of Jews. -
Battle of Stalingrad
This battle was fought between the Nazi party and Russian forces. In this engagement, an estimated 2 million troops battled in one of the most extensive modern warfare. The reason for this fight was for Germany to take over the city of Stalingrad; it was a powerful step in taking over Russia. Stalingrad's battle had taken over 2 million lives but turned World War 2 to favour the allied forces.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
D-day
D-Day was one of the most significant invasions in history using amphibious assault. An estimated 156 000 forces from America, Canada and Britain troops spread across five beaches in France that were heavily armed by German forces. The plan was to overthrow the Nazi party because they had taken over a majority of Europe. This day had cost many lives but changed history forever. It forced Germany to fight a two-front war, which Germany could not handle, sparking the end of the Nazi party. -
Liberation of concentration camps
Allied forces migrating through Europe came across a large number of prisoners from concentration camps, noticeably experiencing malnutrition and sicknesses. Soviet troops began liberating concentration camps such as Majdanek and Auschwitz, coming across the horrifying truth behind the camp. The surviving prisoners were weak due to facing maltreatment, experiencing a long and hard road to recovery. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/liberation-of-nazi-camps -
Battle of the bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was an attempted mission to push the allied forces from Germany. The German troops drove into Ardennes as a surprise attack, which became one of the deadliest battles in American history; it cost over 100 000 lives. The Nazi party believed they were strong enough to conquer the allies, hoping they would break up after the defeat. The German side's loss ultimately led to their surrender to the allies due to a lack of resources. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The battle of Iwo Jima was between The United States Marines and Japan's imperial army. The Marines attacked the Iwo Jima island in a battle that would last for five weeks. The battle was started due to the U.S. needing an area for their air forces to reside, thinking this island would be the perfect spot. It resulted in 18 844 Japanese deaths and 26 000 American casualties, named one of the bloodiest battles in history.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
V-E Day
V-E day, also commonly called Victory in Europe day, marked the day Germany surrendered, ending world war two. On this day, Great Britain and The United States celebrated the defeat of the Nazi party. V-E day was savoured due to the long years of horror during WW2.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/victory-in-europe -
V-J day
V-J Day, also commonly called Victory over Japan day, was the Day Japan surrendered from World War 2. Many people believe the surrender was due to the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Nations could finally celebrate the end of the WW2. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day -
Battle of Okinawa
One of the last major battles of WW2 was the battle of Okinawa, fought between the United States and Japan. Over 180 000 American troops invaded Okinawa's island in a plan that would win them the war in the East. The United States wanted to use the region to launch bombs on Japan's central homeland. This amphibious battle resulted in over 150 000 deaths, and by capturing Okinawa, America planned to invade Japan.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Battle-of-Okinawa -
Dropping of the atomic bomb
In 1945, The U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. This bomb killed tens of thousands of Japanese citizens and spread radiation throughout the city, increasing cancer rates among the survivors. The purpose of the atomic bomb was to quickly end the war with Japan in a way that sacrificed less American lives. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/american-bomber-drops-atomic-bomb-on-hiroshima
