World War II involved combatants from most of the world’s nations and was considered the deadliest war in history. Around 85 million military and civilians died as a result. The end finally came on Sept. 2, 1945, when Japanese officials signed the surrender documents aboard the battleship USS Missouri at Tokyo Bay, Japan.
Significant Events of World War II
Sept. 1, 1939:
Germany invades Poland, marking what many regard as the start of the war, though Japan invaded China on July 7, 1937. 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.
July 10, 1940:
Germany launches an air war, known as the Battle of Britain, against the United Kingdom.
Sept. 22, 1940:
Germany, Italy and Japan sign the Tripartite Pact.
Dec. 7, 1941:
Japan’s naval air force attacks military bases on Oahu, Hawaii.
Dec. 8, 1941:
The United States declares war against Japan.
Dec. 11, 1941:
The United States declares war on Germany and Italy.
June 4 to 7, 1942:
The U.S. Navy defeats the Japanese navy at the Battle of Midway.
July 9, 1942:
Allied forces invade Sicily.
Sept. 8, 1943:
Italy surrenders to the Allies, but German forces occupy northern Italy.
June 6, 1944:
Allied forces land on the beaches of Normandy, France, marking D-Day.
Aug. 25, 1944:
Allies take control of Paris.
Dec. 16, 1944:
Germans counterattack in northern France, Belgium and Luxembourg, known as the Battle of the Bulge.
Feb. 19, 1945:
U.S. Marines land on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima.
March 22, 1945:
The U.S. 3rd Army crosses the Rhine River in Germany.
April 1, 1945:
U.S. soldiers and Marines invade Okinawa, Japan.
April 25, 1945:
The Soviet army encircles Berlin and links up with the Americans on the Elbe River.
Aug. 6, 1945:
The U.S. drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.
Aug. 9, 1945:
The U.S. drops an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan.
