Events in 1945

January 17, 1945

Liberation of Warsaw by the Red Army

On January 17, 1945, the troops of the 1st Belorussian Front under the command of Marshal Georgy Zhukov entered the ruined Warsaw. This event was part of the Vistula-Oder Operation and ended the German occupation of Poland's capital. The liberation of the city opened a new chapter in the country's history, although it also brought controversies related to subsequent Soviet domination.

January 27, 1945

Liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau

On January 27, 1945, soldiers of the 60th Army of the First Ukrainian Front of the Red Army liberated the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. At the time of liberation, there were about 7,000 prisoners in the camp, left behind by fleeing Nazis. This event revealed to the world the scale of Nazi crimes and became a symbol of the end of the Holocaust.

February 4, 1945

The Yalta Conference

The Yalta Conference was a crucial meeting of the three Allied powers' leaders - Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin - which took place from February 4-11, 1945, in Yalta, Crimea. During the conference, decisions were made that shaped the post-war world order, including the division of Europe into spheres of influence, establishment of new state borders, and the creation of the United Nations.

March 9, 1945

Tokyo Firebombing

Operation Meetinghouse, conducted on March 9-10, 1945, was the deadliest air raid in history. 334 B-29 Superfortress bombers dropped incendiary bombs on Tokyo, killing 80,000-100,000 civilians and destroying 15.8 square miles of the city.

April 1, 1945

Battle of Okinawa

The Battle of Okinawa (April 1 - June 22, 1945) was the last major battle of World War II in the Pacific Theater, involving 180,000 US troops against 130,000 Japanese defenders. The battle resulted in over 250,000 casualties including military personnel and civilians.

April 4, 1945

US Liberation of Nazi Concentration Camps

American forces liberated multiple Nazi concentration camps in spring 1945, beginning with Ohrdruf on April 4. The liberations revealed unprecedented Holocaust atrocities and led to the rescue of thousands of survivors.

April 4, 1945

US Liberation of Nazi Camps

American forces liberated multiple Nazi concentration camps between April and May 1945, becoming first-hand witnesses to Holocaust atrocities. Starting with Ohrdruf on April 4, US troops discovered and documented evidence of mass killings, leading to systematic protocols for recording war crimes.

April 12, 1945

Death of FDR

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, died from a cerebral hemorrhage at his retreat in Warm Springs, Georgia. His death occurred just 82 days into his fourth term and weeks before the Allied victory in World War II.

April 21, 1945

Liberation of Bologna

The liberation of Bologna on April 21, 1945, marked a crucial victory in World War II's Italian Campaign when Polish II Corps and American forces, supported by Italian partisans, freed the city from Nazi occupation after intense urban combat.

April 25, 1945

Elbe Day

American and Soviet forces met at the Elbe River near Torgau, Germany, effectively cutting Nazi Germany in half and symbolizing Allied victory in World War II. The historic handshake between American Lt. Albert Kotzebue and Soviet Lt. Alexander Silvashko became an iconic symbol of Allied unity.

May 2, 1945

German Surrender in Italy

Over 1 million German troops surrendered in Italy and parts of Austria, marking a pivotal moment in World War II's European theater. The surrender came after Operation Grapeshot broke through German defenses and followed secret negotiations known as Operation Sunrise.

May 2, 1945

Battle of Berlin

The Battle of Berlin was a key event in the final stage of World War II, which took place on May 2, 1945. The military operation conducted by the Red Army, supported by Polish military units, led to the capitulation of the capital of the Third Reich and symbolically ended Nazi rule in Europe.

May 7, 1945

Nazi Germany Surrender

The unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany to Allied forces in May 1945 marked the end of World War II in Europe, with ceremonies taking place in Reims on May 7 and Berlin on May 8, following Hitler's suicide and the collapse of the Third Reich.

May 8, 1945

The End of World War II in Poland

World War II formally ended in Poland on May 8, 1945, however, the liberation of individual territories lasted from January to May 1945. Despite Germany's capitulation, Poland fell under USSR domination, which led to the installation of communist rule and fundamental territorial and social changes.

May 8, 1945

Victory in Europe Day (VE Day)

On May 8, 1945, Nazi Germany officially surrendered to Allied Powers, marking the end of World War II in Europe. The historic surrender was signed at Allied headquarters in Reims, France, leading to massive celebrations across American cities and Allied nations.

May 8, 1945

German Surrender and the End of World War II

On May 8, 1945, in Berlin-Karlshorst, the Act of Unconditional Surrender of Nazi Germany was signed, officially ending World War II in Europe. The document was signed by representatives of the German Wehrmacht High Command in the presence of representatives from the main Allied powers: USSR, USA, Great Britain, and France. A day earlier, on May 7, a preliminary surrender was signed in Reims.

July 20, 1945

Operation Paperclip

A classified U.S. program initiated in 1945 to recruit top German scientists and engineers after World War II, significantly contributing to America's space program and technological advancement during the Cold War era.

August 6, 1945

Atomic Bombings of Japan

The United States conducted atomic bombings of Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945, resulting in massive destruction and Japan's surrender in World War II. These events marked the first and only use of nuclear weapons in warfare.

August 6, 1945

Hiroshima Atomic Bombing

On August 6, 1945, the US B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped the atomic bomb 'Little Boy' on Hiroshima, Japan, killing approximately 140,000 people and destroying 90% of the city. This marked the first use of nuclear weapons in warfare and led to Japan's surrender in World War II.

August 9, 1945

Nagasaki Atomic Bombing

The United States dropped the atomic bomb 'Fat Man' on Nagasaki, Japan, killing approximately 74,000 people and destroying 68% of the city's industrial district. This second atomic bombing, following Hiroshima, led to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II.

August 14, 1945

V-J Day: Japan's World War II Surrender

Victory over Japan Day marks Japan's surrender on August 14, 1945, following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This historic event effectively ended World War II, leading to massive celebrations across the United States and Allied nations.

August 14, 1945

MacArthur Appointed as SCAP

General Douglas MacArthur was appointed as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, marking a pivotal moment in post-war Japan's reconstruction and establishing unprecedented authority over Japan's transformation.

September 2, 1945

Japanese Surrender in WWII

The formal surrender of Japan aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay marked the definitive end of World War II. Following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Emperor Hirohito accepted Allied terms, leading to a historic 23-minute ceremony where representatives from twelve Allied nations witnessed Japan's official capitulation.

September 2, 1945

V-J Day

Victory over Japan Day marked the formal end of World War II when Japan surrendered to Allied Forces aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. The event followed initial surrender announcement on August 14, triggering massive celebrations across America.

September 2, 1945

Japan's Formal Surrender

On September 2, 1945, Japan formally surrendered to Allied Powers aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, officially ending World War II. The 23-minute ceremony was presided over by General Douglas MacArthur and included representatives from major Allied nations.

November 20, 1945

The Beginning of the Nuremberg Trials

On November 20, 1945, the historic trial of the highest-ranking Nazi German leaders began at the Palace of Justice in Nuremberg. 24 defendants stood before the International Military Tribunal, charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity.