Events with tag - Japan

July 26, 1941

US Freezes Japanese Assets

President Roosevelt's Executive Order 8832 froze all Japanese assets in the United States, effectively halting commercial relations between the two nations. This decisive economic action, combined with oil embargoes, significantly impacted Japan's military capabilities and influenced their decision to attack Pearl Harbor.

December 7, 1941

US Enters WWII

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, marked the United States' official entry into World War II, transforming a regional conflict into a global war and forever changing the course of history.

December 7, 1941

US Entry into World War II

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, forced the United States to abandon its neutrality and enter World War II. This pivotal moment resulted in 2,403 American casualties and led to formal declarations of war against Japan, Germany, and Italy.

December 8, 1941

Roosevelt's Day of Infamy Speech

President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his historic 'Day of Infamy' speech to Congress, responding to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This pivotal address led to America's formal entry into World War II and received near-unanimous congressional approval for the declaration of war against Japan.

December 8, 1941

Fall of Philippines

The Japanese invasion of the Philippines began on December 8, 1941, following the Pearl Harbor attack. After months of fierce fighting, American and Filipino forces surrendered on May 6, 1942, marking the largest surrender in US military history.

December 8, 1941

US Declares War on Japan

Following the devastating Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States Congress officially declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941, after President Franklin D. Roosevelt's historic 'Day of Infamy' speech.

March 11, 1942

MacArthur's Escape from Philippines

Under President Roosevelt's orders, General Douglas MacArthur executed a daring escape from the Philippines to Australia during World War II. Beginning on March 11, 1942, MacArthur and his family navigated through enemy waters in PT boats, completing a perilous 560-mile journey to reach Australia on March 17, where he made his famous promise: 'I shall return.'

March 21, 1942

Japanese Internment Camps Begin Operation

The first Japanese internment camp opens at Manzanar, California, marking the beginning of mass incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans following Executive Order 9066 during World War II.

March 21, 1942

Japanese Internment Camps Opening

The first Japanese internment camps opened in March 1942, marking the beginning of one of the darkest chapters in American history. Following Executive Order 9066, approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated to camps across seven states.

May 6, 1942

Fall of Corregidor

The fall of Corregidor on May 6, 1942, marked a decisive Japanese victory in World War II's Pacific theater. After months of intense bombardment and a final 27-hour assault, Lieutenant General Jonathan Wainwright surrendered the last American stronghold in the Philippines, leading to the capture of 11,000 Allied troops.

June 1, 1942

New Guinea Campaign

The New Guinea Campaign was a major World War II military operation launched by General Douglas MacArthur in 1942. It involved a series of battles spanning nearly three years, utilizing innovative island-hopping tactics and combined air-naval-ground operations to defeat Japanese forces.

June 30, 1943

Operation Cartwheel

Operation Cartwheel was a significant World War II Allied offensive launched on June 30, 1943, under General Douglas MacArthur's command. The operation aimed to neutralize the Japanese stronghold at Rabaul through a sophisticated bypass strategy rather than direct assault.

November 22, 1943

Cairo Conference

A crucial World War II summit held in Cairo, Egypt, where Allied leaders Roosevelt, Churchill, and Chiang Kai-shek met to plan Pacific war strategy and post-war Asian territorial arrangements.

July 21, 1944

Liberation of Guam

U.S. forces launched Operation Forager to reclaim Guam from Japanese control, marking a crucial victory in the Pacific theater of World War II. The three-week battle involved over 36,000 American troops against 19,000 Japanese defenders.

September 15, 1944

Battle of Peleliu

A 73-day World War II battle between US forces and Japanese defenders on Peleliu island, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. What was planned as a four-day operation became one of the bloodiest campaigns in the Pacific Theater.

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

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.