World War 2
In 1939, a huge war started, involving many countries in Europe. Over time it spread, and it finished in 1945. Here is a brief history or timeline of the main events that led up to the first and last time nuclear bombs have ever been dropped on another country.

1939

Hitler invades Poland on 1 September. Britain and France declare war on Germany two days later.
 
1940

Rationing starts in the UK because ships can't bring food there.

Germany attacks and overpowers Belgium, Holland and France.

Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister of Britain.

British troops are evacuated from Dunkirk by lots of little boats, as German troops push through to the coastline.

British victory in Battle of Britain (fought by planes in the skies above England) forces Hitler to postpone plans to invade the UK.

1941

Hitler begins to try and invade Russia.

The Blitz (bombs being dropped from planes every night) continues against Britain's big cities.

Allies take Tobruk in North Africa, and resist German attacks.

Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, and the USA enters the war.

1942

Germany suffers setbacks, and loses battles in Russia and Africa.

Singapore falls to the Japanese in February - around 25,000 prisoners taken.

American naval victory at Battle of Midway, in June, marks turning point in Pacific War.

Mass murder of Jewish people at Auschwitz concentration camp begins

1943

Surrender at Stalingrad marks Germany's first major defeat.

Allied victory in North Africa enables invasion of Italy to be launched.

Italy surrenders, but Germany takes over the battle.

British and Indian forces fight the Japanese in Burma.


1944

Allies land at Anzio and bomb monastery at Monte Cassino in Italy.

Soviet offensive gathers pace in Eastern Europe, so Germany is beaten back by the Russian troops.

D Day: The Allied invasion of France - British and American troops (with their allies) are back from where they left in 1940. Paris is liberated in August.

Guam liberated by the US Okinawa, and Iwo Jima bombed. The Japanese are being pushed back in the Pacific.

1945

Auschwitz liberated by Soviet troops.

Russians reach Berlin: Hitler commits suicide and Germany surrenders on 7 May.

Truman becomes President of the US on Roosevelt's death, and Attlee replaces Churchill.

After atomic bombs are dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrenders on 14 August.
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