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Hitler Invades Poland
German forces bombard Poland on land and from the air, as Adolf Hitler seeks to regain lost territory and ultimately rule Poland. The German invasion of Poland was a primer on how Hitler intended to wage war–what would become the “blitzkrieg” strategy. This invasion sparked the start of WW2. -
Battle of Britain
German and British air forces clashed in the skies over the United Kingdom. Britain’s decisive victory saved the country from a ground invasion and possible occupation by German forces. It was marked as the turning point of the war. -
Pearl Harbor
Over 350 Japanese aircraft attacked the US naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, destroying or badly damaging much of the US Pacific fleet and causing thousands of casualties. The U.S. declares war on Japan. This signifies U.S. entry into the war. -
Battle of Midway
The United States defeated Japan in one of the most decisive naval battles of World War II. Due to major advances in code-breaking, the United States was able to preempt and counter Japan’s planned ambush of its few remaining aircraft carriers, inflicting permanent damage on the Japanese Navy. The victory allowed the United States and its allies to move into an offensive position. -
Battle of Stalingrad
The successful Soviet defense of the city of Stalingrad in the U.S.S.R. during World War II. It stopped the German advance into the Soviet Union and marked the turning of the tide of war in favor of the Allies. It was one of the bloodiest battles in history, with combined military and civilian casualties of nearly 2 million. -
Italy surrenders, switches sides
Italy has signed an unconditional armistice with the Allies. The surrender was signed in secret by a representative of Marshal Pietro Badoglio, Italy's prime minister since the downfall of Benito Mussolini in July. On Oct. 13, 1943, one month after Italy surrendered to Allied forces, it declared war on Nazi Germany, its one-time Axis powers partner. -
Battle of Normandy
The Battle of Normandy was one of the most important events in modern history as the Allied Forces broke the back of the Nazi army, hastening the destruction of Nazi Germany, securing the victory of democracy over totalitarianism. -
Paris Liberated
Paris was liberated by French and American military forces against German resistance. General Dietrich von Choltitz, commander of the German garrison, defied an order by Adolf Hitler to attack Paris landmarks. Choltitz signed a formal surrender that afternoon, and on August 26, free French General Charles de Gaulle led a joyous liberation march down the Champs d’Elysees. This signified the end of German control over Paris and began their freedom. -
Battle of the Bulge
Adolph Hitler attempted to split the Allied armies in northwest Europe by means of a surprise blitzkrieg thrust through the Ardennes to Antwerp. Lieutenant General George S. Patton’s successful maneuvering of the Third Army to Bastogne proved vital to the Allied defense, leading to the neutralization of the German counteroffensive despite heavy casualties. This event was able to signify how the smart tactics to military strategy stopped the advancement of the enemy. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The American amphibious invasion of Iwo Jima during World War II stemmed from the need for a base near the Japanese coast. Iwo Jima was defended by roughly 23,000 Japanese army and navy troops, who fought from an elaborate network of caves, dugouts, tunnels and underground installations. Iwo Jima island was considered to have great tactical importance. -
Hitler’s death
Holed up in a bunker under his headquarters in Berlin, Adolf Hitler commits suicide by swallowing a cyanide capsule and shooting himself in the head. His death signified Germany unconditional surrender to the Allied forces, ending his dreams of a “1,000-year” Reich. -
VE Day
German troops throughout Europe finally laid down their arms. Both Great Britain and the United States celebrate Victory in Europe Day. Cities in both nations, as well as formerly occupied cities in Western Europe, put out flags and banners, rejoicing in the defeat of the Nazi war machine. This signified the victory that the U.S. and Britain both shared in the defeat of Hitler and the Nazi's. -
Hiroshima & Nagasaki
An American B-29 bomber dropped the world’s first deployed atomic bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Three days later, a second B-29 dropped another A-bomb on Nagasaki, killing an estimated 40,000 people. Japan’s Emperor Hirohito announced his country’s unconditional surrender in World War II in a radio address on August 15, citing the devastating power of “a new and most cruel bomb.” This signified Japan's loss and defeat in the war against the U.S. -
VJ Day
VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) was the name selected by the Allies for this historic event. Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies. Their surrender effectively ended World War II.
