Invasion of Poland
World War II began on September 1, 1939, when Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland. This act prompted Britain and France to declare war on Germany, marking the official start of the conflict.
1939
1940
Battle of France and the Fall of Paris
In 1940, Germany launched a Blitzkrieg (lightning war) against France and the Low Countries. Paris fell to German forces in June, leading to the occupation of France.
1940
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain was a significant air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940. The British Royal Air Force successfully defended the UK, marking the first major defeat for Nazi Germany.
1941
Operation Barbarossa
In June 1941, Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, the largest military invasion in history, against the Soviet Union. This marked a crucial turning point in World War II as the Eastern Front became a major theater of war.
1941
Pearl Harbor Attack
On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This surprise attack led the United States to formally enter World War II, declaring war on Japan and subsequently on Germany and Italy.
1942
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway, fought in June 1942, was a pivotal naval battle in the Pacific Theater. The United States Navy decisively defeated an attacking fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy, marking a significant turning point in the war against Japan.
1942
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad, lasting from August 1942 to February 1943, was one of the deadliest battles in World War II. The Soviet Union successfully defended the city of Stalingrad, marking a turning point on the Eastern Front.
1943
Allied Invasion of Italy
In July 1943, Allied forces launched an invasion of Italy, beginning with the island of Sicily. This led to the eventual downfall of Mussolini's regime and Italy switching sides to join the Allies.
1944
D-Day Invasion
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France. This massive amphibious assault marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany as Allied forces began to liberate Western Europe.
1944
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge, fought from December 1944 to January 1945, was the last major German offensive on the Western Front. Allied forces eventually repelled the attack, hastening the end of the war in Europe.
1945
Yalta Conference
In February 1945, the Yalta Conference brought together the leaders of the Allied powers—Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin—to discuss the post-war reorganization of Europe and the defeat of Japan.
1945
Fall of Berlin
In April 1945, Soviet forces captured Berlin, leading to the suicide of Adolf Hitler and the eventual surrender of Germany on May 7, 1945. This marked the end of World War II in Europe.
1945
Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
In August 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These bombings led to Japan's surrender on August 15, 1945, effectively ending World War II.
1945
United Nations Founded
In October 1945, the United Nations was established to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts. The founding of the UN marked a significant effort to maintain global peace after the devastation of World War II.
1946
Nuremberg Trials
The Nuremberg Trials, held from 1945 to 1946, were military tribunals conducted to prosecute prominent leaders of Nazi Germany for war crimes. These trials were a landmark in the establishment of international law and justice.
