What are the special events of World War II?

The Invasion of Poland (1939)

The war began with Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939. Adolf Hitler, the Führer of Nazi Germany, had demanded the city of Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland) and the Polish Corridor, a strip of land that separated East Prussia from the rest of Germany. When Poland refused, Germany invaded, swiftly employing its Blitzkrieg ("lightning war") strategy, which combined rapid movements of tanks and infantry with close air support. This invasion led Britain and France to declare war on Germany, marking the beginning of World War II.

Fall of France (1940)

In May 1940, Germany launched a surprise attack on France and the Low Countries. Bypassing the heavily fortified Maginot Line, German forces moved through the Ardennes Forest, quickly overrunning Belgium and advancing into France. The French government was stunned by the speed and effectiveness of the German assault. On June 22, 1940, France signed an armistice with Germany, leading to the occupation of northern France and the establishment of the Vichy government in the south.

Battle of Britain (1940)

Following the fall of France, Britain stood alone against Germany. The Battle of Britain, fought between July and October 1940, was a pivotal air campaign. The Royal Air Force (RAF) defended the United Kingdom against large-scale attacks by Germany's Luftwaffe. Despite being outnumbered, the RAF successfully repelled the German air force, thanks in part to radar technology and the bravery of the RAF pilots. This victory prevented a planned German invasion of Britain (Operation Sea Lion) and marked the first significant defeat for Hitler.

Operation Barbarossa (1941)

On June 22, 1941, Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. This decision to open a second front was a critical turning point in the war. Despite initial rapid advances and the capture of large areas of Soviet territory, the German army was ultimately halted by the harsh Russian winter, logistics issues, and stiff Soviet resistance, especially during the Battle of Moscow.

Pearl Harbor (1941)

On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This attack led to the United States formally entering World War II. The next day, the US declared war on Japan, and a few days later, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. The entry of the United States into the war brought substantial industrial and military resources to the Allied side.

Battle of Stalingrad (1942-1943)

The Battle of Stalingrad was one of the deadliest battles in human history and a turning point on the Eastern Front. From August 1942 to February 1943, the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany fought fiercely for control of the city of Stalingrad (now Volgograd). The Soviet victory marked the beginning of a major counteroffensive by the Red Army against the German forces.

D-Day (1944)

June 6, 1944, known as D-Day, saw the largest amphibious invasion in history. The Allied forces, consisting of American, British, Canadian, and other troops, landed on the beaches of Normandy, France. This invasion marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany, as it opened a second front in Western Europe. The success of the Normandy invasion accelerated the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control.

The Holocaust

Throughout the war, the Nazi regime implemented the systematic genocide of six million Jews, along with millions of others, including Romani people, Soviet prisoners of war, Polish and Soviet civilians, people with disabilities, homosexuals, and political dissidents. This genocide, known as the Holocaust, represented one of the most horrific aspects of World War II and remains a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked hatred and totalitarianism.

Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945)

In August 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These bombings resulted in unprecedented destruction and loss of life, leading to Japan's unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945, and effectively ending World War II.

The Formation of the United Nations (1945)

In response to the failures of the League of Nations and the horrors of the war, the United Nations was established on October 24, 1945. Its aim was to prevent future conflicts and foster international cooperation. The UN became a cornerstone of the post-war international order.