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Germany Invades Poland
As a part of Hitler's Blitzkrieg, he attacked Poland suddenly and without warning, his attacks coming from the air and the land. This was the official start of WWII. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-invades-poland -
Germany takes France.
France was the first of the Allies to fall to Germany. Many Parisians had fled when hearing about the incoming German troops, but many were hopeful that the US would enter and help them out. This of course never happened until later. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-enter-paris -
Germany Bombs Britain.
Starting on September, Germany relentlessly bombed London and other British isles almost every day. This caused more damage in British morale than it did in physical damage, as it was a rare day where they were not bombed. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/events/germany_bombs_british_towns_and_cities -
The US gives Britain War Supplies.
Due to the loss of 10 British naval ships, the US decided to help out the Allies/British by lending them 50 naval ships in turn for various naval bases. This is a precursor the allies joining in the war. https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=71 -
Operation Barbarossa
This was another important event in WW2. It was a crushing German defeat, a failed attempt to invade the Soviet Union. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/operation-barbarossa -
Pearl Harbor
Under the command of Tojo, 50 planes flew out and attacked the Naval Base Pearl Harbor. 2,734 people died, some were civilians. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Germany declares war on the US.
On the same day as Pearl Harbor, Germany declared war on the US. Germany had agreed to help Japan if there was ever a war between the two. At 3:30 Berlin Time, Germany declared war on the US, believing that Japan and Germany combined could easily take over the US. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-declares-war-on-the-united-states -
Bataan Death March
When the US surrendered to Japan in the Bataan Peninsula, they were taken to labor camps. Soldiers were forced to walk through the grueling weather conditions and many died, giving the march its name. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march -
Battle of Midway
Intending to destroy America's last remaining aircraft carriers that escaped Pearl Harbor, General Yamamoto intended to surprise American ships and cripple our Navy. What he didn't know is that we cracked Japanese codes and were able to counter their attack, taking them off guard and killing experienced mechanics and ground crews. This was believed to be the turning point of the war. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Germany invades the Soviet Union.
An important battle in WW2, it's the bloodiest battle in history, with a death toll reaching up in the millions. Germany, tired and sickly, trekking through the bleak Russian winter, attacked the Soviet Union's capital, Stalingrad. The results of this bloody battle was a Soviet Victory. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
In Warsaw, Poland, many prisoners started a revolt against their Nazi guards in an attempt to protect themselves. To prevent being sent to death camps, they took arms and fought off and escaped the camps, though many were recaptured and killed. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/warsaw-ghetto-uprising -
D-Day
An important battle in the fight for Europe, this was a long battle. At the end of the battle, most of Europe was free, including Northern France. -
Battle of the Bulge
In an attempt to catch the Allies off guard, Hitler launched a surprise attack. Despite the heavy causalities and the odds against them, the Allies were able to hold their ground and send the Germans running. -
Liberation of Concentration Camps.
When Germans were forced to retreat and flee Auschwitz, they left behind their prisoners. Americans and their allies arrived to see sickly and starving prisoners who wept when they were freed. https://www.ushmm.org/outreach/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007724 -
Battle of Iwo Jima
In the need to capture a Japanese base on the same island, the US stormed the beaches of Iwo Jima, despite their clear disadvantage. Despite this, we were able to capture the island, causing the iconic photo. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
The dropping of the Fat Man and the Little Boy
American B-29 bomber "Enola Gay" dropped the worlds first nuclear bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Respectability named Little Boy and Fat Man were dropped, causing over a million deaths of initial deaths, as well as deaths caused by radiation and other factors. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki
