Invasion of Poland
On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, marking the official start of WWII. This invasion prompted Britain and France to declare war on Germany on September 3, 1939, as they had pledged to protect Polish sovereignty.
Fall of France
In May 1940, Germany launched a blitzkrieg against France, leading to the rapid fall of Paris on June 14, 1940. By June 22, France signed an armistice with Germany, resulting in the division of the country into occupied and unoccupied zones.
Operation Barbarossa
On June 22, 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union in a massive military campaign known as Operation Barbarossa. This marked a crucial turning point in WWII, as the Eastern Front opened up and led to some of the largest battles in history.
Pearl Harbor Attack
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 WWII as a member of the Allies the following day.
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad, fought from August 1942 to February 1943, was one of the deadliest battles in WWII. The Soviet Red Army successfully defended the city against the German Army, marking a significant turning point in the war in favor of the Allies.
Allied Invasion of Italy
In July 1943, Allied forces launched Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily, leading to the downfall of Mussolini's regime in Italy. This marked a significant shift in the European theater of WWII.
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 WWII, leading to the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control.
Liberation of Concentration Camps
In 1945, Allied forces liberated numerous concentration camps, revealing the full extent of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. This was a critical moment in understanding the human cost of WWII.
