Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack on Hawaii made by the Empire of Japan. This surprise attack is what finally convinced the United States that they needed to enter World War II. On December 8, 1941, a day after the attack President Roosevelt gave his his memorable speech declaring war on Japan. You can watch the videos posted and visit some of the links below to learn more about this infamous event.
Watch a short video on Pearl Harbor.
Social Studies for Kids is a site with articles, subjects, and tons of links for all subjects of social studies.
National Geographic TV: Pearl Harbor
Watch a 45 minute documentary on Pearl Harbor.
D-Day
D-Day was the most important battle of World War II in Europe. Germany had continually advanced and taken over most of Europe. The battle of D-Day was a combined effort of both the United States and Britain to gain a foothold in Europe by storming the Normandy beaches in France. To learn more about June 6, 1944 visit the links below.
This PBS American Experience D-Day film is told entirely with rare archival footage and the voices of 43 people who were there.
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Iwo-Jima
Iwo-Jima: February 19 – March 26 1945.
Iwo Jima was a strategic island that would give the Americans safe passage all the way to Japan on firebombing missions. Iwo Jima was an uninhabited island, but was a strategic military stronghold which the Japanese fought fiercely to defend. The Americans defeated the Japanese on the island and then moved on to Okinawa. These two islands were going to be the launching point for an invasion of Japan.
More information on Iwo-Jima.
VE-Day
VE Day stands for Victory in Europe. It was the public holiday on May 8, 1945 to mark the defeat of Germany by the Allied forces in World Ward II. More than 1 million people celebrated in the streets of cities, towns and villages in the United Kingdom. Crowds gathered in Trafalgar Square and up The Mall, waiting for Winston Churchhill, the wartime Prime Minister, and King George VI to make an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. In the United States, Harry Truman, the President, dedicated the victory and celebrations to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had died just a month before victory in Europe was achieved. Celebrations took place in many US cities, including Chicago, Miami, LA and New York.
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VJ- Day
Victory Day, also known as VJ Day, marks the anniversary the Allies’ victory over Japan during World War II. It followed the dropping of the devastating atomic bomb on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.
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