-
The Invasion of Poland
Germany’s attack on Poland triggered WWII, as Britain and France declared war on Germany. -
The Battle of Britain
The German Luftwaffe’s air campaign to force Britain into surrender; Britain’s victory prevented the German invasion. -
The Bombing of Pearl Harbor
Japan’s surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet in Hawaii, led to the U.S. entering WWII. -
The Battle of Midway
A turning point in the Pacific; the U.S. Navy defeated Japan, crippling its naval power. -
Operation Torch
The Allied invasion of North Africa aimed to push Axis forces out and prepare for Italy’s invasion. -
The Battle of Stalingrad
A major Soviet victory marked the turning point of the war on the Eastern Front. -
The Battle of Kursk
The largest tank battle in history; a decisive Soviet victory that further weakened Germany. -
D-Day
The Allied invasion of Normandy, marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control. -
The Battle of the Bulge
Germany’s last major offensive in the West; its failure quickened Nazi Germany’s defeat. -
Battle of Iwo Jima
A brutal battle where U.S. forces captured the island from Japan, providing a critical airbase for bombing Japan -
The Death of FDR
FDR’s death led to Harry Truman assuming leadership in the final months of WWII. Truman faced the task of managing the war's end and making decisions, that included the use of atomic bombs. -
Death of Adolf Hitler
Hitler committed suicide in his Berlin bunker as Soviet forces closed in, signaling the collapse of Nazi Germany. -
The Battle of Okinawa
The largest Pacific battle showcased Japan’s fierce resistance and influenced the decision to use atomic bombs. -
Bombing of Hiroshima
The first use of an atomic bomb in war devastated the city and pushed Japan towards surrendering -
Bombing of Nagasaki
The second atomic bomb attack led to Japan’s surrender and the end of WWII.