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Germany Invades Poland
Germany invaded Poland using a strategy called blitzkrieg, or “lightning war,” which combined fast-moving tanks and airplanes. This invasion led Britain and France to declare war on Germany, officially starting World War II in Europe. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing over 2,400 Americans and damaging or sinking multiple ships. This event caused the United States to enter World War II, joining the Allies against the Axis Powers. -
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Battle of Stalingrad
The Soviet Union defeated Nazi Germany in one of the deadliest battles in history, turning the tide of the war in the East. The German army’s defeat at Stalingrad marked a major turning point, as it was their first major loss and weakened their Eastern front. -
D-Day Invasion (Operation Overlord)
Allied forces launched a massive invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France, to begin liberating Western Europe from Nazi control. D-Day was one of the most important operations of the war and marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. -
Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima
The U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, killing tens of thousands instantly and leading to Japan’s eventual surrender. This marked the first use of nuclear weapons in warfare and brought World War II to a close shortly after.