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Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a pivotal moment in world history that dramatically altered the course of the 20th century. It not only catalyzed the United States entry into World War II but also reshaped global power dynamics, forging new alliances and leading to significant technological and military advancements. -
Battan Death March
The Bataan Death March symbolized the brutal treatment of American and Filipino prisoners of war by the Japanese military. It is significant as a tragic reminder of the harshness of war and the resilience of those who survived the horrific 65-mile forced march. -
Doolittles Raid
The raid inflicted little physical damage to Japan, but it gave a needed lift to morale in the United States. In Japan, the psychological damage of the attack was more important -
Battle of Midway
This critical US victory stopped the growth of Japan in the Pacific. This put the United States in a position to begin shrinking the Japanese empire through a years-long series of island-hopping invasions and several even larger naval battles. -
Guadalcanal
The Guadalcanal Campaign ended all Japanese expansion attempts and placed the Allies in a position of clear supremacy. It can be argued that this Allied victory was the first step in a long string of successes that eventually led to the surrender of Japan and the occupation of the Japanese home islands. -
Surrender of Japan
The surrender of Japan on marked the end of World War II, bringing an end to the devastation caused by six years of global conflict. It also paved the way for post-war reconstruction, the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers, and the eventual shaping of the modern world. -
Leyte
The combined battles of Leyte Gulf destroyed the Imperial Japanese Navy. As an offensive force decisively led to the defeat of Japan in 1945. -
Iwo Jima
It had been one of the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history. After the battle, Iwo Jima served as an emergency landing site for more than 2,200 B-29 bombers, saving the lives of 24,000 U.S. airmen. Securing Iwo Jima prepared the way for the last and largest battle in the Pacific: the invasion of Okinawa. -
Okinawa
Taking Okinawa would provide Allied forces an airbase from which bombers could strike Japan and an advanced anchorage for Allied fleets. From Okinawa, US forces could increase air strikes against Japan and blockade important logistical routes, denying the home islands of vital commodities. -
Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The United States bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and August 9, 1945. This was the first instances of atomic bombs used against humans, killing tens of thousands of people, obliterating the cities, and contributing to the end of World War II.