Over 80 years after World War II began, it continues to fascinate people of all ages. The consequences of World War I and the rise of nationalist leaders in Germany and Japan who were determined to expand their nations powers led to a war that engulfed the world. Hitler's push into Western Europe, Russia and Africa and Hirohito's push into China and the Pacific Islands brought the Allied nations of Britain, the Soviet Union, the United States and others together to stop their drive for global domination.
Over 75 million lives were lost (a majority of them civilians) and millions more were wounded. Allied forces eventually won the war in 1945 but the repercussions would be felt for decades to come. It's important that we continue to remember and pass on the history from this time period especially the atrocities that occurred in the concentration camps. We can't change these past events but we can save future lives by ensuring they are not repeated.
Over 75 million lives were lost (a majority of them civilians) and millions more were wounded. Allied forces eventually won the war in 1945 but the repercussions would be felt for decades to come. It's important that we continue to remember and pass on the history from this time period especially the atrocities that occurred in the concentration camps. We can't change these past events but we can save future lives by ensuring they are not repeated.
The Allied Leaders
Winston ChurchillBritian
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Joseph StalinSoviet Union
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Franklin D. RooseveltUnited States
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The Axis Leaders
Adolf HitlerGermany
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Benito MussoliniItaly
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Emperor HirohitoJapan
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Visit the places and experience the events
that changed the world.
Anne Frank HouseSee where Anne Frank wrote about her family's experience hiding from the Nazis until they were captured and sent to concentration camps.
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ArromanchesSee where British forces stormed this Normandy beach and built a Mulberry harbour to bring men and supplies to the front lines.
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AuschwitzA Nazi concentration camp where over 1.1 million people died including 960,000 Jews.
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Bletchley ParkLearn about the Allied efforts to break the codes Germany used to keep their communications secret.
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Eagle's NestSitting above the town of Obersalzberg, Adolf Hitler’s summit residence was used to entertain important guests.
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Holocaust MemorialA memorial dedicated to the more than 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
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John Frost BridgePart of Operation Market Garden, British forces captured and defended the bridge in the Battle of Arnhem.
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Juno BeachStep onto the beach where the Canadian Army invaded and pushed farther into France than any other landing force on D-Day.
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Mardasson MemorialThe Battle of the Bulge was the largest, deadliest battle fought by the United States during WWII.
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Normandy American Cemetery and MemorialPay tribute to the over 9,000 American troops who died in Europe during World War II.
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Omaha BeachStand on the beach where the American Infantry and Army Rangers defeated the German army to reach their D-Day objectives.
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Operation DynamoStand on the beach where over 338,000 soldiers were evacuated over 8 days as the German Luftwaffe attacked from above.
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Oradour-sur-GlaneThe city remains unchanged from the day the German army massacred its 642 inhabitants and destroyed the village.
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Oskar Schindler FactorySee how Oskar Schindler, despite being a member of the Nazi party, saved the lives of 1,200 Jews.
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Pearl HarborThe December 7, 1941 surprise attack on the harbor by the Japanese would push the United States to enter World War II.
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Pegasus BridgeLearn about the surprise attack to take the bridge and prevent German amour from reinforcing troops during the D-Day attack.
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Pointe du HocView the stronghold where American forces scaled the cliffs to capture the highest point between Utah and Omaha beaches.
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SachsenhausenA Nazi concentration camp north of Berlin used to hold political prisoners including Joseph Stalin's oldest son.
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The ReichstagThe Reichstag arson fire helped Hitler and the Nazi party become the dominant party in Germany.
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Tuskegee Airmen National Historic SiteVisit Moton Field where the Army Air Corps trained the first African American airmen to fly and maintain combat aircraft.
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Utah BeachThe westernmost of the five beach landings that took place in Normandy on D-Day.
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Warsaw UprisingLearn how the citizens of Warsaw fought unsuccessfully for 63 days to oust the Nazis and regain control of their city.
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Warsaw GhettoThe Warsaw Ghetto was the largest Nazi ghetto during World War II. Over 390,000 prisoners died here by bullet, gas, starvation, or disease.
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Wolf's LairTour Hitler's headquarters on the Eastern Front where he would lead the German forces and narrowly avoid an assassination attempt.
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Photo Attributions: Many of the photos come from these great photographers
Additional Places to Explore
Not every important place has something to see or do. Sometimes these places are lost to history or they don't take much time to explore. In these cases, there are still stories to be told and information to learn. And now, there are special stickers to collect when you stop and visit.
Bastogne BarraksSee General McAuliffe headquarters during the Ardennes Offensive. His forces would be completely surrounded but would not give up the fight.
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FuhrerbunkerDestroyed by the Allies, Hitler spent his last days protected in this bunker. Today, just a small sign remains.
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Flakturm IIIOne of the few remaining German flak towers. The Luftwaffe used them to defend the city during Allied bombing raids.
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Liberty RoadKilometer markers from Utah Beach D-Day landing to Bastogne, Belgium commemorating the liberation of France.
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Saint-Mère-ÉgliseSaint-Mère-Église was the first town to be liberated on D-Day. See where paratrooper John Steele landed on top of the local church.
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Photo Attributions: Many of the photos come from these great photographers
World War II Museums
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