Invasion of Poland
On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, marking the official start of World War II in Europe. This invasion prompted Britain and France to declare war on Germany, signaling the beginning of a large-scale conflict.
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Event · English
World War II
A comprehensive overview of World War II, detailing key events from 1939 to 1945 that shaped the modern world.
The Timeline
1939 — 1945
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1939
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1940
Fall of France
In May 1940, Germany launched an invasion of France, quickly overwhelming French defenses. By June 22, France had surrendered, leading to the establishment of the Vichy regime and a significant shift in the balance of power in Europe. -
1941
Operation Barbarossa
On June 22, 1941, Nazi Germany initiated Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. This marked a pivotal turning point in the war, as the Eastern Front became the site of some of the largest and deadliest battles in history. -
1941
Pearl Harbor Attack
On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor. This event led to the U.S. formally entering the war, joining the Allies against the Axis powers. -
1942
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad began in August 1942 and lasted until February 1943, becoming one of the deadliest battles in history. The Soviet victory marked a crucial turning point on the Eastern Front, halting the German advance into the Soviet Union. -
1943
Allied Invasion of Italy
In July 1943, Allied forces launched Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily, which led to the fall of Mussolini's regime. This opened up a new front in Europe and shifted the focus of the war towards the liberation of Western Europe. -
1944
D-Day Landings
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces executed Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious invasion in history, landing on the beaches of Normandy. This operation marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation. -
1944
Liberation of Concentration Camps
In 1944, Allied troops began liberating concentration camps across Europe, revealing the full extent of the Holocaust. These events led to global outrage and a commitment to bring those responsible to justice. -
1945
Yalta Conference
In February 1945, Allied leaders Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin met at the Yalta Conference to discuss post-war reorganization. This meeting set the stage for the Cold War and the division of Europe. -
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 led to Japan's surrender on August 15, effectively ending World War II. -
1945
Formation of the United Nations
On October 24, 1945, the United Nations was established in the aftermath of World War II to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts. This organization aimed to foster peace and security globally.
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