The 1940s in crisis history

The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, lasting from approximately 1947 to 1991.

A battle for the capture of Manila from Japanese forces.

A major battle between U.

Alleged killing of German prisoners by American forces near Chenogne, Belgium.

A Soviet offensive to eliminate German forces in East Prussia.

Evacuation and liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp by Soviet forces.

Capture and liberation of the city of Trieste by Yugoslav forces.

A Luftwaffe operation aimed at crippling Allied air forces in the Low Countries during World War II.

The formal surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allied forces.

A Soviet offensive against the German Army in Eastern Europe.

A meeting between the leaders of the Allied powers to discuss post-war Europe.

Rebellion against the Afghan government by the Zadran tribe.

85 civilians are shot by the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend in France.

Over 500 clandestine passengers die of carbon monoxide poisoning in a railway tunnel.

Allied forces bomb Bucharest, Romania for 4.

US and Australian troops land on Papua New Guinea to cut off Japanese retreat.

An earthquake in San Juan, Argentina, kills an estimated 10,000 people.

A Swiss city is accidentally bombed by the United States, causing serious damage.

Soviet troops completely drive out German forces from Sevastopol.

Forced march of American and Filipino prisoners of war after the fall of Bataan.

A battle in WWII where Japanese forces defeated the British 11th Indian Division.

First naval battle in history where ships never saw each other, between Japanese and American/Australian fleets.

Japanese invasion and occupation of the British Solomon Islands.

British forces prevent a second advance by Axis forces into Egypt.

Start of the deportation of inmates from Westerbork transit camp in occupied Netherlands.

U.

An unsuccessful Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor from two flying boats.

The opening of the Sobibór extermination camp in occupied Poland.

The British attack on the French fleet in Algeria to prevent it from falling into German hands.

The invasion and occupation of France by Germany during World War II.

The evacuation of Allied soldiers from Dunkirk, France to England.

The invasion of neutral Norway by Germany, marking the beginning of the Norwegian Campaign.

The execution of 25,700 Polish intelligentsia and prisoners of war by the Soviet NKVD.

A law prohibiting discrimination based on race, creed, or national origin in Alaska.

Proposed by President Franklin D.

The implementation of food rationing to ensure fair distribution during World War II.

The signing of the United Nations Charter in San Francisco.

The trial and execution of Udham Singh for the assassination of Sir Michael O'Dwyer.