WWII Timeline

Explore the key dates and events that shaped the war.

Germany Invades PolandSeptember 1, 1939
The event that marks the beginning of World War II in Europe. German forces invade Poland, leading Britain and France to declare war on Germany.
Battle of France BeginsMay 10, 1940
Germany invades France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. This "blitzkrieg" (lightning war) tactic was highly effective.
Battle of BritainJuly 10, 1940
The Royal Air Force (RAF) defends the United Kingdom against large-scale attacks by Nazi Germany's air force, the Luftwaffe. It was the first major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces.
Attack on Pearl HarborDecember 7, 1941
The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service launches a surprise military strike against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, leading to the U.S. entry into WWII.
D-Day: The Normandy LandingsJune 6, 1944
The largest seaborne invasion in history. Allied forces launch a massive invasion of Normandy, France, beginning the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation.
Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day)May 8, 1945
The formal acceptance by the Allies of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces, marking the end of WWII in Europe.
Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day)September 2, 1945
Japan surrenders to the Allies, officially ending World War II across the globe.