ww2 timeline

When did World War II officially begin in Europe?

World War II officially began on September 1, 1939, with Germany's invasion of Poland.

What was "Blitzkrieg"?

"Blitzkrieg," or "lightning war," was a German military tactic in World War II involving rapid, overwhelming attacks using motorized forces and close air support.

What was the significance of the Battle of Britain (1940)?

The Battle of Britain was a crucial air campaign fought in 1940 where the Royal Air Force successfully defended the United Kingdom against large-scale attacks by Nazi Germany's air force, preventing a planned German invasion.

What event led to the United States entering World War II?

The United States entered World War II after the surprise attack by the Empire of Japan on the naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.

What was Operation Barbarossa (1941)?

Operation Barbarossa was Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union starting on June 22, 1941, opening the Eastern Front, which became the largest land theater of war in history.

What was the Holocaust?

The Holocaust was the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators across German-occupied Europe between 1941 and 1945.

What was D-Day (1944)?

D-Day, or the Normandy landings, on June 6, 1944, was the largest seaborne invasion in history, marking the beginning of the liberation of German-occupied Western Europe by the Allied forces.

When did World War II officially end?

World War II ended in Europe on May 8, 1945 (VE Day) with