WWII Timeline

  • The Neutrality Act of 1939

    A series of acts passed by the US congress in order to preserve neutrality, peace of the United States, and civilian safety.
  • The North Africa Campaign

    The Allies and the Axis powers (Italy and Germany) fought against each other because North Africa was of strategic value to both sides. For the Allies, it would aid in expansion and for the Axis powers it would help cut off the Allies access to oil.
  • The Lend-Lease Act

    Also known as an act to promote the defense of the United States and allowed military aid and other supplies such as food and oil to other nations.
  • The Bombing of Pearl Harbor

    The bombing of Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack from Japanese fighter planes on the US naval base in Hawaii.
  • The Battle of the Coral Sea

    The Battle of the Coral Sea was a major naval battle between the Imperial Japanese Navy and the US naval and air forces. The Allies sought to stop Japanese forces from capturing New Guinea.
  • The Battle of Midway

    A WWII naval battle fought almost entirely with aircraft between US and Japan. The Battle of Midway ended up making sure Japan didn't invade the Pacific.
  • The Battle of Guadalcanal

    This battle was between Japan and the US which prevented Japan from cutting off reinforcements to New Guinea.
  • D-Day

    D-Day was the invasion of Normandy, France when the Allies fought back against Nazi Germany during WWII. This was one of the most important military operations to the Allies success.
  • The Battle of the Bulge

    Winston Churchill called the battle of the Bulge “the greatest American battle of the war” and was fought between the Allies and Germany. This was Hitler’s last major offensive in WWII and resulted in 100,000 casualties on the US Army side.
  • The Battle of Okinawa

    The Battle of Okinawa was the last major battle of WWII fought between US army & Marine Corps and Japan. The US needed a base to stage an invasion on Japan’s mainland, which resulted in an Allied victory.
  • The Dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

    The US detonated two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki August 6 & 9, 1945, which killed around 129,000 and 226,000 people. Most of these people killed were civilians and raises debate on whether the US should have dropped them or not.