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Pearl Harbor
The Japanese launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, leading the U.S. to join World War II. -
Executive Order 9066
FDR signed Executive Order 9066, which authorized the relocation of Japanese Americans living on the West Coast to concentration camps. -
Battle of Midway
The United States wins in a battle against the Japanese. Four aircraft carriers are destroyed. -
Magnuson Act
On this day, the Magnuson Act was passed in Congress. It repealed the Chinese Exclusion Act, allowing Chinese to immigrate to the United States and become citizens. -
D-Day
The Allies' invasion of Normandy, France, began. -
GI Bill
The GI Bill was passed, providing many benefits to returning veterans. -
The First Atomic Bomb
The United States dropped the first bomb on the Japanese. It was dropped on Hiroshima. A few days later, they dropped a second bomb, on Nagasaki. The Japanese surrendered after the second bomb. -
World War II Ends
World War II comes to end with the surrender of Germany and Japan. -
NATO Is Signed
NATO is signed in Washington. 29 countries, including the United States, sign the alliance. -
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Korean War
The Korean War began when North Korean troops invaded South Korea. The United Nations troops could not make much progress. A cease fire was agreed to, with peace talks taking two years.