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1942

World War II: The U

World War II: The U.S. tanker SS Virginia is torpedoed in the mouth of the Mississippi River by the German submarine U-507.

1945

World War II: Yevgeny Khaldei's photograph Raising a Flag over the Reichstag is published in Ogonyok magazine

World War II: Yevgeny Khaldei's photograph Raising a Flag over the Reichstag is published in Ogonyok magazine.

1943

World War II: Operations Vulcan and Strike force the surrender of the last Axis troops in Tunisia

World War II: Operations Vulcan and Strike force the surrender of the last Axis troops in Tunisia.

1940

World War II: Germany's conquest of France begins, as the German army crosses the Meuse

World War II: Germany's conquest of France begins, as the German army crosses the Meuse. Winston Churchill makes his "blood, toil, tears, and sweat" speech to the House of Commons.

1943

World War II: A Japanese submarine sinks AHS Centaur off the coast of Queensland

World War II: A Japanese submarine sinks AHS Centaur off the coast of Queensland.

1940

World War II: Rotterdam, Netherlands is bombed by the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany despite a ceasefire, killing about 900 p

World War II: Rotterdam, Netherlands is bombed by the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany despite a ceasefire, killing about 900 people and destroying the historic city center.

1945

World War II: The Battle of Poljana, the final skirmish in Europe is fought near Prevalje, Slovenia

World War II: The Battle of Poljana, the final skirmish in Europe is fought near Prevalje, Slovenia.

1942

World War II: In the United States, a bill creating the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) is signed into law

World War II: In the United States, a bill creating the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) is signed into law.

1940

World War II: The Battle of the Netherlands: After fierce fighting, the poorly trained and equipped Dutch troops surrend

World War II: The Battle of the Netherlands: After fierce fighting, the poorly trained and equipped Dutch troops surrender to Germany, marking the beginning of five years of occupation.

1943

World War II: Dambuster Raids commence by No

World War II: Dambuster Raids commence by No. 617 Squadron RAF.

1940

World War II: Germany occupies Brussels, Belgium

World War II: Germany occupies Brussels, Belgium.

1944

World War II: Battle of Monte Cassino: Conclusion after seven days of the fourth battle as German paratroopers evacuate

World War II: Battle of Monte Cassino: Conclusion after seven days of the fourth battle as German paratroopers evacuate Monte Cassino.

1917

World War I: The Selective Service Act of 1917 is passed, giving the President of the United States the power of conscri

World War I: The Selective Service Act of 1917 is passed, giving the President of the United States the power of conscription.

1942

World War II: In the aftermath of the Battle of the Coral Sea, Task Force 16 heads to Pearl Harbor for repairs

World War II: In the aftermath of the Battle of the Coral Sea, Task Force 16 heads to Pearl Harbor for repairs.

1941

World War II: Battle of Crete: German paratroops invade Crete

World War II: Battle of Crete: German paratroops invade Crete.

1942

Mexico enters the Second World War on the side of the Allies

Mexico enters the Second World War on the side of the Allies.

1939

World War II: Germany and Italy sign the Pact of Steel

World War II: Germany and Italy sign the Pact of Steel.

1945

World War II: Heinrich Himmler, head of the Schutzstaffel, commits suicide while in Allied custody

World War II: Heinrich Himmler, head of the Schutzstaffel, commits suicide while in Allied custody.

1945

World War II: Germany's Flensburg Government under Karl Dönitz is dissolved when its members are arrested by British for

World War II: Germany's Flensburg Government under Karl Dönitz is dissolved when its members are arrested by British forces.

1941

World War II: German paratroopers start a series of mass executions of Greek civilians in Missiria for their participati

World War II: German paratroopers start a series of mass executions of Greek civilians in Missiria for their participation in the ongoing Battle of Crete.