WWll Timeline by Claire Briggs

Rape of Nanking - December, 1937

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 20:04:33 UTC

The Imperial Japanese Army killed over 300,000 Chinese civilians after invading China during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Normandy Invasion (D-Day) - June, 1944

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 20:06:54 UTC

Allied Powers landed on five beaches in Normandy from the skies and water in order to liberate Europe from Nazi control.

Yalta Conference - February, 1945

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 20:14:07 UTC

The heads of the government of the United States, Soviet Union, and United Kingdom came together to discuss the postwar reorganization of Germany and Europe as a whole.

Japanese invasion of Manchuria - September, 1931

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 20:17:54 UTC

The Empire of Japan’s Kwantung Army invaded Manchuria to secure resources, expand Japanese territory, and establish a buffer state against the Soviet Union.

Nazi-Soviet Pact - August, 1939

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 20:30:32 UTC

A treaty that divided Eastern Europe into two spheres of influence between the two nations and both Germany and the Soviet Union promised that they would not attack each other for the next 10 years.

Battle of Midway - June, 1942

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 20:34:09 UTC

A major naval battle between Japan and the United States. Four Japanese aircraft carriers were destroyed by the U.S. and this battle marked the turning point of WWll in the Pacific.

Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - August, 1945

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 20:40:32 UTC

The United States (by order of Harry S. Truman) dropped two atomic bombs over Japan. The first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6 and the bombing of Nagasaki followed three days later. Over 200,000 civilians were killed and Japan faced irreparable damage.

Battle of Iwo Jima - February to March, 1945

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 20:45:34 UTC

The United States Marine Corps and United States Navy captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Imperial Japanese Army. Over 6,000 soldiers of the Marine Corps died and this event allowed the U.S. to advance further upon Japan.

Hitler Elected German Chancellor - January, 1933

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 20:50:59 UTC

Reich President Paul von Hindenburg appoints Hitler as chancellor of Germany and the Nazi’s desire for power was fulfilled. This would later lead to the reign of terror now known as the Holocaust.

German Invasion of Poland - September to October, 1939

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 21:46:06 UTC

German troops invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. This day marks the official start to World War ll and Germany wanted to regain territory that had been lost as a result of World War l.

British and France Declare War - September, 1939

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 21:51:46 UTC

On September 3 of 1939, both France and Britain declared war on Germany as a result of its invasion of Poland. Britain and France had promised to defend Polands borders and this event further sparked WWll.

Battle of Stalingrad - July 1942 to February 1943

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 21:56:34 UTC

A major battle on the Eastern Front primarily between Germany and the Soviet Union over the Soviet city of Stalingrad. More than 100,000 German soldiers died and this battle allowed the Soviet Union to regain control of the Eastern Front and change the directory of WWll.

Attack on Pearl Harbor - December, 1941

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 22:03:10 UTC

Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor in order to cripple the U.S. Pacific Fleet and prevent the United States from continuing to capture their territory. Sixteen ships were damaged and seven of those sixteen sunk, such as the USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, and USS Utah. This attack was a huge loss for the United States.

Victory Over Japan Day - August, 1945

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 22:07:14 UTC

On August 15 of 1945, Imperial Japan surrendered in World War ll, essentially bringing the war to an end. This event is also known as V-J Day.

Munich Conference - September, 1938

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 22:11:06 UTC

This conference was a diplomatic meeting between Germany, Britain, France, and Italy. This agreement allowed Germany to annex Czechoslovakia and has become a symbol of appeasement. This event definitely played a role in the eventual start of WWll.

Victory In Europe Day - May, 1945

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 22:15:43 UTC

On May 8 of 1945, Germany surrendered its armed forces. Celebrations erupted across the world to mark the end of World War ll in Europe. This day is also known as V-E Day.

Battle of the Bulge - December 1944 to January 1945

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 22:21:08 UTC

This event was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front. Approximately 19,000 US soldiers died and it became the United States’ deadliest single World War ll battle.

Battle of Okinawa - March to September of 1945

cbriggs45 — 2025-05-05 22:43:26 UTC

This battle was a part of the Pacific War fought on the island of Okinawa by the United States forces against the Imperial Japanese Army. It was an island-hopping campaign and about 100,000 Japanese and Okinawan people died.