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Invasion of Poland
Germany invades Poland, marking the beginning of WWII -
Declaration of war against Germany
Britain and France declare war on Germany -
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Phoney War
No real action taken by Britain and France; they are still preparing for war. -
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Invasion of Norway and Denmark
Germany invades Norway and Denmark -
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Invasion of France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg
Germany launches offensive against (invades) France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (they win against them) -
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British and Allied troops evacuate
The evacuation of British and Allied troops from Dunkirk, France. -
Italy Declare War
Italy declares war on Britain and France -
France signs Armistice
France signs an armistice (ceasefire - they surrender) with Germany, resulting in German occupation of northern and western France (Germany is now running France!) -
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Battle of Britain
An air campaign fought between the (British) Royal Air Force and the German Luftwaffe (air force) -
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The Blitz
German airforce (Luftwaffe) bomb British civilians, especially in London -
Tripartite Pact
Japan, Italy and Germany sign an official pact, agreeing to be a team in the war. -
Invasion of North Africa
Italy invades North Africa (including those owned by Britain and France) trying to expand its empire. -
Operation Barbarossa
Germany launches Operation Barbarossa, invading the Soviet Union (Russia). (This will end up being a bad move for Germany!) -
US Entry to War
Japan attacks US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, leading to the United States' entry into the war -
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Nazi Wannsee Conference
Plans for the "Final Solution" are discussed. -
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The Battle of Midway
A decisive naval battle in the Pacific -
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Operation Torch
Allied invasion of French North Africa -
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Battle of Stalingrad
Battle of Stalingrad, (in Russia) between invading German soldiers and Russia (Soviet Union). A turning point on the Eastern Front. (Savage! Brutal fighting! Crushing defeat of German army. Germany lose the battle and the allies start to win!) -
Allied forces invade Sicily, Italy
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Italy surrenders to the Allies
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Tehran Conference
Allied leaders discuss strategy -
D-Day
Operation Neptune/Overlord. Allied invasion of Normandy, France -
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Battle of Normandy
Leading to the liberation of Paris (From German Army) on August 25 -
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Battle of the Bulge
A major German counteroffensive -
Auschwitz liberated
Liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp by Soviet forces -
US President dies
President Franklin D. Roosevelt dies; Harry S. Truman becomes president -
Adolf Hitler commits suicide
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Victory in Europe (VE)
Marks the unconditional surrender of Germany -
US Drops Atomic Bombs
On the 6th and 9th, the US drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. -
End of WWII
Japan formally surrenders, marking the official end of World War II