WWII Timeline by Alan Tornero

European Front Event - Month Day, Year

12377399 — 2025-03-11 20:50:54 UTC

Brief Description

Pacific Front Event - Month Day, Year

12377399 — 2025-03-11 20:50:54 UTC

Brief Description

Non-Aggression Pact -August 23, 1939

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:07:18 UTC

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression pact signed on August 23, 1939, between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, allowed Germany to invade Poland without Soviet opposition. This secretly divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence.

Poland Invaded - September 1, 1939

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:10:23 UTC

On September 1, 1939, German forces, under the command of Adolf Hitler, launched a coordinated attack on Poland from the west, north, and south. This event initiated World War II.

Dunkirk Evacuation - May 26, 1940

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:13:27 UTC

It was a mass evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk, France, between May 26 and June 4, 1940, during the Battle of France in World War II. Approximately 338,000 troops were rescued.

Battle of Britain - July 10, 1940

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:14:52 UTC

The successful defense of Great Britain against air raids conducted by the German air force in 1940 after the fall of France during World War II. This event occurred from July 10, 1940 to October 31, 1940.

Soviet Union Invaded - June 22, 1941

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:17:54 UTC

On June 22, 1941, Nazi Germany launched a surprise invasion on the Soviet Union, codenamed “Operation Barbarossa.” This marked a major turning point in World War II.

Attack on Pearl Harbor - December 7, 1941

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:19:52 UTC

A surprise military strike launched by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. It effectively propelled the United States into World War II by forcing them to declare war on Japan the following day.

Japanese Internment Camps in America - February 19, 1942

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:23:44 UTC

On February 19, 1942, President Roosevelt, as commander-in-chief, issued Executive Order 9066 that resulted in the internment of Japanese Americans. The order authorized the Secretary of War and military commanders to evacuate all persons deemed a threat from the West Coast to internment camps.

Battle of Midway - June 4, 1942

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:25:46 UTC

A decisive naval battle fought between the United States and Japan near Midway Island in the Pacific Ocean from June 4-7, 1942. The US Navy achieved a major victory against the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Guadalcanal Campaign - August 7, 1942

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:27:40 UTC

A pivotal World War II campaign in the Pacific Theater, fought between August 7, 1942 and February 9, 1943. It marked the first major Allied offensive against Japan.

Allies Land in North Africa - November 8, 1942

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:30:00 UTC

Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of French North Africa on November 8, 1942 during World War II. It is a key event that opened a second front against the Axis powers.

Manhattan Project - December 28, 1942

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:33:06 UTC

A highly classified US government program during World War II aimed at developing the world’s first atomic bombs. President Roosevelt authorized the formation of the Manhattan Project on December 28, 1942.

German Surrender in Stalingrad - February 2, 1943

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:35:47 UTC

The German 6th Army, encircled and starving in Stalingrad, ultimately surrendered to the Red Army on February 2, 1943. It marked a pivotal moment and turning point in World War II.

D-Day - June 6, 1944

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:37:58 UTC

D-Day refers to June 6, 1944, the date of the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. It marked the start of a major offensive to liberate Western Europe from German occupation.

Battle of the Bulge - December 16, 1944

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:40:00 UTC

A major World War II battle fought in the Ardennes region of Belgium, France, and Luxembourg from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945. The Battle of the Bulge was a decisive Allied victory, marking the last major German offensive on the Western Front.

Iwo Jima Captured - February 19, 1945

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:44:45 UTC

U.S. marines and navy forces landed on and captured the island from the Japanese Army between February 19 and March 26, 1945. The US marines suffered over 25,000 casualties, including nearly 7,000 deaths.

Okinawa Captured - April 1, 1945

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:47:36 UTC

The US invaded Okinawa on April 1, 1945 and they captured it by June 22, 1945. An estimated 150,000 Okinawan civilians were killed and 49,151 American casualties.

Hitler Commits Suicide - April 30, 1945

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:49:44 UTC

Hitler committed suicide via gunshot to the head on April 30, 1945 in a bunker under his headquarters in Berlin. He committed suicide after it became clear that Germany would lose the Battle of Berlin.

Germany Surrenders - May 7, 1945

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:52:05 UTC

The surrender of the German Third Reich was signed in the early morning hours of Monday, May 7, 1945, at Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force at Reims in northeastern France. Germany surrendered because of a series of Allied victories.

Bombing of Hiroshima/Nagasaki - August 6-9, 1945

12377399 — 2025-03-14 07:57:48 UTC

The bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were pivotal events during World War II when the United States dropped atomic bombs on these Japanese cities in August 1945. It led to Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II. Hiroshima was bombed on August 6, 1945, and Nagasaki was bombed on August 9, 1945.

Japan Signs Official Surrender - September 2, 1945

12377399 — 2025-03-14 08:00:53 UTC

The official signing of Japan’s surrender in World War II, marking the end of the hostilities, took place on September 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, following Emperor Hirohito’s announcement of surrender on August 15. The surrender came after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.