Curated timeline

World War II

The deadliest conflict in human history. Covers the rise of Fascism, the Holocaust, the major battles in Europe and the Pacific, and the atomic age that reshaped the global order.

• The Holocaust (1933 – 1945)

  The systematic persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany beginning in 1933, escalating to the systematic genocide of approximately 6 million Jews and millions of others persecuted groups across Nazi-occupied Europe from 1941 until Nazi Germany's surrender in 1945.

• German Rearmament (1935 – 1939)

  Hitler's massive military buildup in violation of the Treaty of Versailles.

• Anschluss (March 12, 1938)

  Nazi Germany's annexation of Austria, expanding German territory.

• Munich Agreement (September 30, 1938)

  Agreement allowing Germany to annex the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia.

• Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (August 23, 1939)

  Non-aggression pact between Nazi Germany and Soviet Union, including secret protocols to divide Poland.

• Invasion of Poland (September 1, 1939)

  Germany's invasion of Poland, triggering the start of World War II in Europe.

• Britain and France Declare War (September 3, 1939)

  Britain and France declare war on Germany following the invasion of Poland.

• Winter War (November 30, 1939 – March 13, 1940)

  Soviet Union invades Finland, leading to the Winter War and Soviet expulsion from the League of Nations.

• Invasion of Norway and Denmark (April 9, 1940)

  Germany launches Operation Weserübung, occupying Denmark and Norway.

• Battle of France (May 10 – June 25, 1940)

  German invasion of France and the Low Countries, leading to the rapid fall of France.

• Dunkirk Evacuation (May 26 – June 4, 1940)

  Evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches and harbor of Dunkirk, France.

• Battle of Britain (July 10 – October 31, 1940)

  Air campaign fought by the Royal Air Force (RAF) against the German Luftwaffe.

• The Blitz (September 7, 1940 – May 11, 1941)

  German bombing campaign against Britain, targeting cities and civilian morale.

• Tripartite Pact (September 27, 1940)

  Pact signed by Germany, Italy, and Japan, establishing the Axis powers.

• Lend-Lease Act (March 11, 1941)

  U.S. program providing military aid to Allied nations before officially entering the war.

• Invasion of Yugoslavia and Greece (April 6, 1941)

  German-led Axis invasion of Yugoslavia and Greece, expanding the Balkan campaign.

• Operation Barbarossa (June 22, 1941)

  Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union, opening the Eastern Front.

• Siege of Leningrad Begins (September 8, 1941)

  German forces begin the 872-day siege of Leningrad, causing massive civilian casualties.

• Pearl Harbor Attack (December 7, 1941)

  Surprise attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

• Germany Declares War on USA (December 11, 1941)

  Hitler declares war on the United States, making the conflict truly global.

• Doolittle Raid (April 18, 1942)

  First air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese home islands during World War II.

• Battle of Midway (June 4 – 7, 1942)

  Decisive naval battle in the Pacific Theater, marking a turning point in the Pacific War.

• Guadalcanal Campaign (August 7, 1942 – February 9, 1943)

  First major Allied offensive against Japan, marking the beginning of the island-hopping campaign.

• Battle of Stalingrad (August 23, 1942 – February 2, 1943)

  Brutal battle for control of Stalingrad, a major turning point on the Eastern Front.

• Battle of El Alamein (October 23 – November 11, 1942)

  British victory in North Africa, marking the beginning of the end for Axis forces in Africa.

Open the interactive timeline viewer to explore the full timeline.