Invasion of Poland
On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, marking the official start of World War 2. This invasion prompted Britain and France to declare war on Germany on September 3, 1939, as they had pledged to protect Polish sovereignty.
1939
1940
Fall of France
In May 1940, Germany launched a blitzkrieg against France and its allies, leading to the rapid fall of France by June 22, 1940. The German victory resulted in the establishment of the Vichy regime in southern France, effectively ending French resistance for the time being.
1941
Operation Barbarossa
On June 22, 1941, Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union in a campaign known as Operation Barbarossa. This marked a significant turning point in World War 2, as it opened up the Eastern Front, leading to some of the war's largest and deadliest battles.
1941
Attack on Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This attack led to the United States formally entering World War 2, declaring war on Japan the following day and subsequently on Germany and Italy.
1942
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad began in August 1942 and lasted until February 1943. It was one of the deadliest battles in World War 2 and marked a significant turning point, as the Soviet Union successfully defended the city and began to push back against German forces.
1943
Allied Invasion of Italy
In July 1943, Allied forces launched Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily. This led to the fall of Mussolini's regime and the eventual Allied invasion of mainland Italy, further weakening Axis power in Europe during World War 2.
1944
D-Day: Normandy Invasion
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched Operation Overlord, commonly known as D-Day, landing on the beaches of Normandy, France. This operation was a pivotal moment in World War 2, marking the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation.
1944
Liberation of Concentration Camps
As Allied forces advanced into German-occupied territories in 1944, they began liberating concentration camps, revealing the horrors of the Holocaust and the extent of Nazi atrocities committed during World War 2.
1945
Yalta Conference
In February 1945, leaders of the Allied powers, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin, met at the Yalta Conference to discuss the post-war reorganization of Europe and the strategy for defeating Germany in World War 2.
1945
End of World War 2 in Europe
Germany surrendered unconditionally on May 7, 1945, leading to Victory in Europe (VE) Day on May 8, 1945. This marked the official end of World War 2 in Europe, although fighting continued in the Pacific theater.
1945
Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
On August 6 and August 9, 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These bombings played a crucial role in Japan's decision to surrender, effectively bringing an end to World War 2.
1945
End of World War 2 in Asia
Japan formally surrendered on September 2, 1945, marking the official end of World War 2. The surrender was signed aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, concluding six years of global conflict.
1945
Formation of the United Nations
In October 1945, the United Nations was established in an effort to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts, directly as a response to the devastation of World War 2 and the need for a global peacekeeping organization.
1946
Nuremberg Trials
The Nuremberg Trials began in November 1945 and continued into 1946, prosecuting key leaders of Nazi Germany for war crimes. These trials were a significant moment in international law and accountability following the atrocities of World War 2.
