August 23, 1939: Nazi-Soviet non-aggression pact signed

September 1, 1939: Nazi invasion of Poland

September 3, 1939: France and Great Britain declare war on Germany

September 27, 1939: Warsaw falls to the Nazis; Poland surrenders.

May 10, 1940: Nazi invasion of France and the Low Countries

June 22, 1940: France surrenders to the Nazis

July 10, 1940: Battle of Britain begins

October 30, 1940: Battle of Britain ends, British able to defeat Nazis

April 6, 1941: Invasion of the Balkans

April 17, 1941: Yugoslavia surrenders to the Nazis

April 30, 1941: Hostilities cease in Greece; the Nazis seize Greece from the British

May 20, 1941: Invasion of Crete begins

June 1, 1941: Crete seized by the Nazis

June 22, 1941: Nazi invasion of Soviet Russia

June 28, 1941: Nazis seize the city of Minsk

July 15, 1941: Nazis seize the city of Smolensk

August 3, 1941: General Guderian is forced to stop driving to Moscow to help take Kiev

September 19, 1941: Nazis seize the city of Kiev

October 2, 1941: The Nazi drive on Moscow resumes

November 25, 1941: Nazis begin final drive on Moscow, having gotten near the city