World War II Major Events Timeline
The biggest and bloodiest war that took place from 1939-1945
Hitler comes to power
January 30, 1933
Former German president Paul von Hindenburg reluctantly appoints Adolph Hitler following a series of electoral victories by the Nazi party
This moment alone would eventually cause the biggest war in history to begin
September 1, 1939
Germany invades Poland, officially starting WWII. Two days later, France and the United Kingdom declare war on Germany.
April 9 to June 22, 1940: Germany takes control of much of Western Europe, including France.
The Blitz
September 7, 1940 - May 11, 1941
German Bombing campaign that began on September 7, 'Black Saturday', when bombers attacked London, leaving 430 dead and 1,600 injured.
Over the following months they ravished the United kingdom leaving over 43,500 civilians dead. They focused on major cities and industrial centers
Attack on Pearl Harbor
December 7, 1941
Just before 8AM Sunday, the Japanese Imperial Navy surprise attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbor.
Some 350 Japanese aircrafts sunk or badly damaged 18 US naval vessels, including 8 battleships, 300 US aircraft and killed 2,403 men
December 8, 1941 - United states declares war on Japan
December 11, 1941 - United States declares war on Germany and Italy
Battle of Midway
June 4-7, 1942
US Navy defeats the Japanese Navy at the Midway Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Is regarded as a turning point in the war as the US was able to destroy Japan's ability to mount any more Naval attacks
July 9, 1942
Allied forces invade Sicily
September 8, 1943
Allied powers invade Southern Italy. While Nazi Germany still holds Northern Germany as well as most of Europe
D-Day
June 6, 1944
Allied forces land on the beaches of Normandy
A massive land invasion conducted by the allies with the intention of breaking through the German defenses and secure a section of coast from which to launch their counter-invasion of France
A total of 4,414 allied troops died that day, including 2,501 Americans
The Liberation of Paris
August 25, 1944
Allied forces push deeper into France and liberate Paris
20,000 German troops either surrendered or fled as the 2nd Armored Division swept clear the western half of Paris while the 4th Infantry Division cleared the eastern half
Battle of the Bulge
December 16, 1944 – January 25, 1945
Also known as the Ardennes Offensive, this was the last major German offensive campaign on the western front During WWII
Battle of Iwo Jima
February 19, 1945 - March 26, 1945
United States Marine Corps land on the beaches of Iwo Jima
Despite 10s of thousands of tons of shells fired by the US Navy, the battle was won by the blood of thousands of Marines
It is also here where the famous photograph of the soldiers raising the US flag on the top of Mt. Suribachi
Battle of Okinawa
April 1, 1945 - September 7, 1945
US soldiers and Marines invade the Japanese island, Okinawa
Securing this island would give the US forces and airbase so they could launch bombers to japan and provide anchorage for Naval fleets
April 25, 1945
The Soviet Army has surrounded the Nazi powers in Berlin and has linked up with Americans on the Elbe River
German Surrender
May 8, 1945
Germany surrenders to Allied powers, marking V-E Day
Hiroshima Bombing
August 6, 1945
A total of 135,000 people died after the United States dropped a gun-type uranium bomb named Little Boy
Nagasaki Bombing
August 9, 1945
A total of 64,000 people died when the United States dropped another atomic bomb named Fat man, this time in Nagasaki
These events were justified as the only way to end WWII, however, legal experts say they would now be war crimes
Japan Surrender
September 2, 1945
Japan formally surrenders to the Allies, marking V-J Day although the initial surrender was announced on August 15, 1945
Sources
Vergun, D. (2020). Significant events of World War II. U.S. Department of Defense. https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/article/2293108/
Public Broadcasting Service. (2023, November 13). World War II major events timeline. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/specialfeatures/world-war-ii-major-events-timeline/
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. (n.d.). Paul Von Hindenburg. United States holocaust memorial museum. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/paul-von-hindenburg
