The Second World War began with Adolf Hitler's invasion of Poland, prompting declarations of war from Britain and France on 3 September 1939. The Poles fought bravely but were heavily outnumbered and outgunned, leading to the surrender of Warsaw on 27 September 1939.

Germany launched a Blitzkrieg attack on Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, leading to the resignation of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and the appointment of Winston Churchill. France signed an armistice with Germany on 22 June 1940

The German Luftwaffe attempted to gain air superiority over Britain to pave the way for a potential invasion. Despite significant losses, the RAF successfully defended British skies, thwarting German plans.

Germany launched a massive invasion of the Soviet Union, which marked a significant turning point in the war. The campaign was one of the bloodiest and most extensive of the war.

Japan's surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor drew the United States into the war. The attack led to declarations of war by the U.S. against Japan, and subsequently by Germany and Italy against the U.S.

Allied forces, led by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, launched a massive invasion of Normandy, marking the beginning of the end of Germany's control over Western Europe.

Germany's last major counterattack on the Western Front, which was ultimately repelled by Allied forces. This battle was one of the bloodiest of the war.

As Soviet forces closed in on Berlin, Adolf Hitler committed suicide. Germany surrendered unconditionally on 7 May 1945, marking the end of the war in Europe.

The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to Japan's unconditional surrender on 14 August 1945 and the formal end of World War II on 2 September 1945.