World War II[b] or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers. Nearly all of the world's countries …

2 days ago · World War II was a conflict that involved virtually every part of the world during 1939–45. The main combatants were the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) and the Allies (France, …

Explore the battles, key players and atrocities from the war and its impact on geopolitics and humankind today. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt...

World War II (1939–1945) was the deadliest, most costly, most widespread war in human history. The war saw the decline of the European colonial powers that had dominated global politics for the …

Read everything you need to know about the Second World War, by exploring our WWII archives of in-depth history articles, podcasts, slideshows and more.

Explore a detailed timeline of World War Two - the causes, events, soldiers and its aftermath. Discover facts about what happened during the most destructive war in history.

Learn more about World War II history through WWII scholarship from The National WWII Museum.

Nov 24, 2025 · World War II, the deadliest and most destructive war in human history, claimed between 40 and 50 million lives, displaced tens of millions of people, and cost more than $1 trillion to prosecute.

Britain and France declare war on Germany after Hitler's invasion of Poland. The Phoney War, which saw limited direct military engagements between German and Britain and France. The Dowding …

World War II, also WWII, or the Second World War, was a global military conflict that took place between 1939 and 1945. It was the largest and deadliest war in history. The date commonly given for the start …