Chronology

February 4

Yalta conference opens (to February 11).

February 13–15

Dresden bombed.

February 27

Vyshinsky organizes Communist coup in Romania.

March 7

U.S. Army crosses the Rhine at Remagen.

April 12

Roosevelt dies, succeeded by Truman.

April 23

Truman warns Molotov to keep promises on Poland.

April 25

Founding conference of United Nations; Americans and Russians link up on the Elbe.

April 30

Hitler commits suicide.

May 2

Fall of Berlin to the Red Army.

May 8

Germany surrenders.

May 26

Truman envoys meet with Churchill and Stalin.

June 1

Truman decides to use atomic bomb against Japan.

June 18

Polish opposition leaders go on trial in Moscow.

June 24

Victory parade in Moscow.

July 4

U.S. forces occupy west Berlin.

July 16

Potsdam conference opens (to August 2); first atomic test.

July 26

Churchill resigns.

August 6

Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.