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German Blitzkrieg
London gets bombed by german raiders. It happened because Hitler wanted to focus on plans to invade the Soviet Union. Germany failed to hurt Britain's air power so they changed strategies. As a result, the eastern slums felt the direct power of the bombs. Fires spread throughout the slums. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-blitz-begins -
Wannsee Conference
Heydrich met with Adolf Eichmann, chief of the Central Office of Jewish Emigration, at Wannsee. They wanted to make a plan that would render a “final solution to the Jewish question” in Europe. As a result, gas vans were determined to be the 'solution'. -
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor is a naval base in Hawaii. It was the victim of a surprise attack by Japanese air fighters. 20 naval vessels were destroyed. It happened because America didn't like how Japan was treating China. As a result, America declared war on Japan. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
Bataan Death March
75,000 Filipino and American troops on Bataan were forced to march to prison camps. On December 7, 1941, the invasion of the Philippines began. The Japanese captured the capital of the Philippines. The American and Filipino defenders of Luzon retreated to the Bataan Peninsula. Finally, on April 9, U.S. General Edward King Jr. surrendered at Bataan. In February 1945, the Bataan peninsula was recaptured. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march -
Battle of Midway
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, The U.S. Navy and the Japanese navy fought. The U.S. victory turned the tide for the war. Japan wanted to expand its influence in the Pacific. The U.S. gained confidence as everyone rooted for the Allies. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-midway -
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was fought between Russia and Nazi Germany. The battle lasted from August 1942 through February 1943. Russia's army suffered heavy losses from winning a previous battle. Stalin expected Hitler to aim at Moscow. Hitler's aim was placed at Stalingrad because it was an industrial center. The loss at Stalingrad placed the Axis powers on the defensive. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-stalingrad -
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
On April 19th, a revolt happened in the Warsaw Ghetto. The residents wanted to prevent the deportations of extermination camps. This uprising inspired other uprisings. -
Invasion of Italy
The U.S. and Great Britain wanted to invade Italy with the hope it would be removed from the war. July 10, 1943, to May 2, 1945, a series of Allied beach landings and land battles from Sicily and southern Italy. As an outcome, Italy surrenders but Germany still fights. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/italian-campaign -
D-Day
American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along the heavily fortified coast of France. Prior to D-Day, the Allies conducted a large-scale deception campaign designed to mislead the Germans about the intended invasion target. As a result of this northern France had been liberated and Germany was defeated. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day -
Battle of the bulge
This battle was Hitler's last major offense. His aim was to separate the allies. His failure paved the way for victory. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-the-bulge -
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima was a military campaign between U.S. and Japan in early 1945. Japan had suffered heavy losses. Due to that America planned an attack on Japan believing it would only last a few days. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima -
VE day
May 8th was the day when German troops throughout Europe surrendered. The main concern of many German soldiers was to avoid being taken prisoner. A celebration occurred May 9th. -
Dropping of the atomic bombs
On August 6, 1945, America dropped the atomic bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The explosion killed 80,000 people. That number will go up due to radiation exposure. Three days later, America dropped another bomb on Nagasaki, killing 40,000 people. Hirohito announced his country’s surrender on August 15. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
VJ day
On August 14, 1945, Japan had surrendered to the Allies, ending World War II. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/v-j-day -
Liberation of concentration camps
German soldiers abandoned the camp, leaving behind people to die. The soldier entered the seemingly empty camp. Thousands of people were still there. “They rushed toward us shouting, fell on their knees, kissed the flaps of our overcoats, and threw their arms around our legs,” remembered Georgii Elisavetskii, one of the first Red Army soldiers to step into Auschwitz. After five years of hell, Auschwitz was liberated at last. https://www.history.com/news/auschwitz-liberation-soviets-holocaust
