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The invasion of Poland
was a joint attack on the Republic of Poland by Nazi Germany, the Slovak Republic, and the Soviet Union, which marked the beginning of World War II. -
Great Britain and France Declare War on Nazi Germany
it marked the official start of World War II, triggered by the German invasion of Poland and signifying the Allied powers' commitment to oppose Nazi aggression -
The invasion of Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands & France
The conquest of western Europe brought hundreds of thousands of Jews under German control. -
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The Battle & Great Escape at Dunkirk
If the BEF had been captured, it would have meant the loss of Britain's only trained troops and the collapse of the Allied cause. -
Selective Service & Training Act
created the Selective Service System, which managed the induction of some 2.8 million men into the armed forces over the next two years and abolished the much maligned bounty system. -
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The Battle of Britain
it marked the first major defeat for Nazi Germany in World War II, preventing them from invading Britain and allowing the British to continue fighting, ultimately providing a crucial base for the Allied forces to launch operations against mainland Europe, including D-Day, and demonstrating that Germany could be defeated; -
Lend-Tease Assistance Act
it enabled Roosevelt to send material support to the anti-Nazi allies while allowing the U.S. to avoid direct involvement in the widening war. -
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
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. -
America Enters World War II
it dramatically shifted the balance of power in the war, providing the Allies with a massive industrial and military force that ultimately led to the defeat of the Axis powers, and significantly impacted the global political landscape, solidifying the United States as a major superpower on the world stage following the war -
Germany and Italy Declare War on the United States
The declaration followed the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor four days earlier, and was made the same day as Germany's declaration of war against the United States. Benito Mussolini publicly gave the announcement in Rome on December 11 -
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The Battle of the Coral Sea
it marked the first time the Japanese advance in the Pacific was checked after Pearl Harbor, representing a major setback for their offensive, and was also the first major naval battle where opposing ships never sighted each other, -
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The Battle of Midway Island
it marked a major turning point in the Pacific theater of World War II, representing the first major U.S. victory against Japan and effectively halting their offensive momentum -
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The Invasion of North Africa
it marked the first major American involvement in the European theater, opened a second front against the Axis powers, secured vital access to the Suez Canal and Middle Eastern oil, and allowed the Allies to eventually push into southern Europe by neutralizing a large number of German and Italian troops in the region -
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The Invasion of Sicily & Italy
it marked a major turning point in World War II, leading to the overthrow of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, effectively removing Italy from the Axis powers, and providing the Allies with a strategic foothold to launch further operations into mainland Europe -
The D-Day Invasion of France
it marked the beginning of the Allied liberation of Western Europe, establishing a foothold on the continent and turning the tide of World War II decisively in favor of the Allies, ultimately leading to the defeat of Nazi Germany -
Nazi Concentration Camps Discovered
detention camps to incarcerate real and perceived political opponents of Nazi policy. German authorities established camps all over Germany -
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The Battle of the Bulge
it marked the last major German offensive on the Western Front in World War II, effectively halting any chance of a German victory and paving the way for the Allied advance towards Germany, ultimately contributing to their surrender -
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The Yalta Conference
it marked the Allied powers' plan for post-World War II Europe, including the division of Germany into occupation zones, the establishment of the United Nations, and the agreement for the Soviet Union to enter the war against Japan, essentially laying the groundwork for the Cold War by solidifying Soviet influence in Eastern Europe, despite promises of free elections in those regions which were largely not upheld by Stalin. -
V-E Day
it marked the official surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allied forces, signifying the end of World War II in Europe and bringing an end to years of devastating fighting, destruction, and loss of life across the continent -
The Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima
killing tens of thousands of people, obliterating the cities, and contributing to the end of World War II. -
The Atomic Bomb on Nagasaki
The bombing of the Japanese city of Nagasaki with the Fat Man plutonium bomb device on August 9, 1945, caused terrible human devastation -
V-J Day
marks the end of World War II, one of the deadliest and most destructive wars in history. When President Harry S. Truman announced on Aug. 14, 1945, that Japan had surrendered unconditionally, war-weary citizens around the world erupted in celebration.