History

World War II

World War II (1939–1945) was the largest and deadliest conflict in history, involving more than 30 nations and taking an estimated 70–85 million lives. It began with Germany's invasion of Poland in September 1939 and widened after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 brought the United States in. This portal gathers classroom-ready starting points: the road to war, the home front, the European and Pacific theaters, the Holocaust, and the war's end and legacy. Start with the overview video, then go deeper with primary sources from the National Archives, the National WWII Museum, and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Each link opens in a new tab.