-
On this day the Empire of Japan deliberately attacked America's Pearl Harbor. This event thrusted the US into the war.
-
-
U.S. declares war on Japan a day after the infamous Pearl Harbor.
-
Japan expands their empire capturing Hong Kong and many U.S. military bases, such as Guam, Wake Island, and Luzon.
-
British surrender Singapore after a week-long battle against the advancing Japanese forces. An estimated 80,000 allied soldiers were taken as POW's.
-
Allies surrender the Burmese capital of Rangoon to the Japanese. This results in the Japanese advancing on many more fronts.
-
US sent 16 medium sized bombers to attack main Japanese cities. Although the raid was insignificant, it boosted American morale.
-
Americans engage the Japanese. Although the allies suffered more deaths and sunken vessels, they still gained the upper hand.
-
American and Filipino forces surrender to the Japanese in the Philippines. U.S. Pacific forces retreat to Australia.
-
Japan's main naval fleet, including the world's largest ship, depart from Hiroshima for Midway.
-
The U.S. takes the advantage through this battle. U.S. sinks 4 carriers and 1 cruiser.
-
U.S. Marine forces invade the small island. This was a key victory for the Americans.
-
Emperor Hirohito withdraws troops after five months of brutal fights against U.S.
-
Casablanca conference convenes here Roosevelt, Churchill, and other allied leaders meet to scheme future dealings with the axis.
-
British and Indian forces attack Japan's empire from Burma. This results in opening another front.
-
The first Japanese attack on the U.S. mainland takes place. An axis submarine shells and oil refinery near Santa Barbara, California.
-
Japanese officials announce captured allied soldiers will be given "one-way tickets to hell."
-
Americans find work camps on Wake Island where the Japanese executed approximately 100 Americans.
-
Americans invade the island using amphibious techniques. The U.S. lost many lives.
-
Roosevelt and Churchill convene with Chinese nationalist leader Chiang-Kai-shek to discuss defeating Japan. The meeting results in the Cairo Declaration which vows to beat Japan into unconditional surrender.
-
In cooperation with operation Ichi-Go, Japanese attempted launching attacks from Burma into India. These attacks failed.
-
Japanese make major push into China. Although they gained territory, they were stopped at Guangxi.
-
U.S. forces capture the island of Saipan. This is significant because the U.S. can build an air base within range of main Japanese islands.
-
U.S. captures this body of water. This grants them the ability to conduct large scale aircraft carrier action.
-
To-date, this was the largest naval battle in the history of history. Although it was a decisive allied victory, this was the first time Japanese used kamikaze tactics.
-
Planning future assaults, General McArthur and Admiral Nimitz were appointed to command the ground and naval troops respectively.
-
U.S. Marines capture the island of Iwo Jima. This is the scene of the dramatic flag raising on the hill.
-
U.S.'s largest assault in the Pacific war. Over 100,000 Japanese soldiers killed.
-
United States drops bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. The Enola Gay dropped this Atomic Bomb.
-
The U.S. drops 2 more bombs on Japan, This time in Nagasaki. These bombs killed more than 240,000 people.
-
Emperor Hirohito surrenders Japan. This event took place on the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
