World War II History Timeline and Biographies

1939

Invasion of Poland

On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, marking the official start of World War II. This invasion prompted Britain and France to declare war on Germany on September 3, 1939, as they had pledged to protect Polish sovereignty. The swift and brutal tactics of the German military, known as Blitzkrieg, overwhelmed Polish defenses, leading to the partition of Poland between Germany and the Soviet Union shortly thereafter.

1940

Fall of France

In May 1940, Germany launched a rapid invasion of France and the Low Countries. By June 14, Paris fell to the Germans, and the French government surrendered on June 22, 1940. The fall of France was a significant victory for the Axis powers in World War II, leading to the establishment of the Vichy regime and leaving Britain to stand alone against Germany in Western Europe.

1941

Operation Barbarossa

On June 22, 1941, Nazi Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. This operation marked a crucial turning point in World War II, as it opened up the Eastern Front, leading to some of the largest and bloodiest battles in history. The initial success of the German forces was met with fierce Soviet resistance, ultimately leading to a prolonged conflict that would drain German resources.

1941

Attack on Pearl Harbor

On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise military strike against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This attack resulted in significant loss of life and damage to the Pacific Fleet, prompting the U.S. to formally enter World War II on December 8, 1941. The attack galvanized American public opinion and marked a pivotal moment in the war, shifting the balance of power in favor of the Allies.

1942

Battle of Stalingrad

The Battle of Stalingrad, fought from August 1942 to February 1943, was one of the deadliest battles in World War II and marked a turning point in the Eastern Front. The Soviet Red Army successfully encircled and defeated the German Sixth Army, leading to a significant shift in momentum in favor of the Allies. This battle symbolized Soviet resilience and marked the beginning of a series of offensives against German forces.

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 massive amphibious assault marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation. The success of D-Day was a critical step in the Allies' campaign to defeat Germany in World War II, leading to the eventual liberation of Paris in August 1944.

1944

Liberation of Concentration Camps

As Allied forces advanced into German-occupied territory in 1944, they began to liberate concentration camps, revealing the full extent of the Holocaust. Camps such as Auschwitz and Buchenwald were discovered, exposing the horrific atrocities committed against millions of Jews and other targeted groups during World War II. These liberations were pivotal in bringing global awareness to the horrors of the Nazi regime.

1945

Yalta Conference

In February 1945, the leaders of the Allied powers—Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin—met at the Yalta Conference to discuss the post-war reorganization of Europe. The conference addressed issues such as the division of Germany, the establishment of the United Nations, and the future of Eastern Europe, laying the groundwork for the geopolitical landscape of the post-World War II era.

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, respectively. These bombings resulted in unprecedented destruction and loss of life, leading to Japan's unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945. The use of atomic bombs marked a controversial and pivotal moment in World War II, demonstrating the devastating power of nuclear weapons.

1945

End of World War II in Europe

On May 7, 1945, Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allies, marking the official end of World War II in Europe. Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day) was celebrated on May 8, 1945, as nations rejoiced in the defeat of Nazi Germany. This surrender came after years of intense fighting and significant loss of life across the continent.

1945

Formation of the United Nations

In October 1945, the United Nations was established in an effort to prevent future global conflicts and promote international cooperation. The formation of the UN was a direct response to the devastation of World War II, aiming to foster dialogue and peace among nations. The UN would play a crucial role in global affairs in the post-war era, addressing issues of human rights, security, and development.

1946

Nuremberg Trials

The Nuremberg Trials began in November 1945 and continued into 1946, prosecuting prominent leaders of Nazi Germany for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. These trials were significant in establishing a precedent for international law and accountability for war crimes, marking a pivotal moment in the aftermath of World War II and influencing future international legal proceedings.

1949

Formation of NATO

In April 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established as a military alliance among Western nations in response to the perceived threat from the Soviet Union following World War II. NATO aimed to provide collective security and deter aggression, shaping the geopolitical landscape of the Cold War and influencing global politics for decades to come.

1950

Start of the Cold War

The end of World War II led to the emergence of the Cold War, a period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the Western powers, primarily the United States. This ideological conflict was characterized by political, military, and economic rivalry, influencing international relations and global conflicts for the next several decades. The legacy of World War II profoundly shaped the dynamics of the Cold War.