WW2 Timeline by Sofia Harwood

Poland Invaded: September 1, 1939 – October 6, 1939

12364432 — 2025-03-10 20:53:39 UTC

The invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany on September 1, 1939 marked the official beginning of WW2. The invasion was justified by the Nazi’s suggestions that Poland was planning on invading Germany originally.

Non-Aggression Pact: August 23-24, 1939

12364432 — 2025-03-10 20:53:39 UTC

A treaty between Germany and the Soviet Union where the two countries agreed not to attack each other. This allowed Germany to invade Poland without fear of Soviet intervention.

Dunkirk Evacuation: May 26, 1940

12364432 — 2025-03-10 20:54:41 UTC

An evacuation during WW2 of Allied troops from the French seaport of Dunkirk to England. It occured because of Germany’s invasion of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Battle of Britain: July 10, 1940 – October 31, 1940

12364432 — 2025-03-12 03:38:08 UTC

A Royal Air-Force air campaign to defend the United Kingdom against large-scale attacks by Germany between July and October of 1940. After invading France, Germany aimed to invade Great Britain next.

Guadalcanal Campaign: August 7, 1942

12364432 — 2025-03-12 03:40:27 UTC

A series of land and sea battles between the Allied powers and Japan around Guadalcanal in the South Pacific. The US wanted to prevent the Japanese from establishing a presence on the island.

Soviet Union Invaded: June 22, 1941

12364432 — 2025-03-12 03:42:05 UTC

As part of a secret agreement, known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, with Nazi Germany, the USSR invaded Poland on September 17, 1939 and divided the country between Germany and themselves. The invasion was a direct result of the pact.

Attack on Pearl Harbor: Dec. 7, 1941

12364432 — 2025-03-12 03:42:37 UTC

A surprise military attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy on a US Naval Base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941. The Japanese saw the harbor as a massive asset to the US and believed destroying it would cripple their military.

Japanese Internment Camps in America: February 1942

12364432 — 2025-03-12 03:43:19 UTC

The forced relocation and imprisonment of about 120,000 Japanese Americans. Most of these people were US citizens and this policy was created due to fear of the Japanese post-pearl harbor.

Battle of Midway: June 4, 1942 – June 7, 1942

12364432 — 2025-03-12 03:43:42 UTC

A WW2 naval battle fought almost entirely with aircraft, in which the US destroyed Japan’s first line carrier strength on June 3-6, 1942. The battle was Japan’s attempt to solidify their dominance in the pacific and aimed to capture the Midway Atoll.

Manhattan Project: June 18, 1942 to August 25, 1947

12364432 — 2025-03-12 03:44:11 UTC

A top secret project where the US raced to create and deploy the first atomic bomb before Nazi Germany could. This significantly affected the war’s outcome.

Allies Land in North Africa: November 8, 1942

12364432 — 2025-03-12 03:45:00 UTC

On November 8, 1942 American and British forces invaded French North Africa. This officially opening a second torch against the Axis Powers.

German Surrender in Stalingrad: February 1943

12364432 — 2025-03-12 03:46:50 UTC

Germany surrendered at the battle of Stalingrad, which was one of the deadliest battles of history, where the casualties exceeded 2 million. This battle was a turning point in WW2 and marked the beginning of the downfall of Nazi Germany.

D-Day: June 6, 1944

12364432 — 2025-03-12 03:49:35 UTC

The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 to liberate Western Europe from Nazy occupation. This was a massive turning point in WW2.

Battle of the Bulge: December 16, 1944 – January 25, 1945

12364432 — 2025-03-12 03:49:53 UTC

The battle began when Germany launched a surprise attack on the Allies on December 16, 1944 and ended in an Allied victory. Germany intended to cut through the Allies’ military in the attack.

Hitler Commits Suicide: April 30, 1945

12364432 — 2025-03-12 03:50:28 UTC

Hitler swallows a cyanide capsule and shoots himself in the head in his underground bunker in Berlin on April 30, 1945. He committed suicide once it became clear Germany would lose the Battle of Berlin.

Iwo Jima Captured: February 19, 1945

12364432 — 2025-03-12 03:51:05 UTC

The US began an amphibious invasion of Iwo Jima as part of its campaign of the pacific ocean against Japan. As one of the bloodiest battles in US history the takeover was very costly for the US.

Germany Surrenders: May 7, 1945

12364432 — 2025-03-12 03:52:38 UTC

German forces unconditionally surrendered to the Allied forces on May 7, 1945 in the west and May 9, 1945 in the east. They surrendered due to overwhelming military pressure from the Allies.

Bombing of Hiroshima/Nagasaki: August 6, 1945 – August 9, 1945

12364432 — 2025-03-12 03:52:59 UTC

The US dropped the first atomic bombs used in warfare on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima/Nagasaki. These events were the first and only use of atomic warfare and the Japanese signed their unconditional surrender soon after.

Okinawa Captured: June 22, 1945

12364432 — 2025-03-12 03:53:26 UTC

A battle fought between US and Japanese forces on the island of Okinawa between April 1–June 21, 1945. This battle occurred because the US wanted the island as an airbase they could use to strike Japan.

Japan Signs Official Surrender: September 2, 1945

12364432 — 2025-03-12 03:53:59 UTC

The Japanese government signed their official instrument of surrender during WW2 on September 2, 1945. They surrendered due to the deployment of the atomic bombs on Japanese cities by the US.