March 13
Austro-German Union proclaimed at Vienna: "Austria is a state (land) of the German Reich." Text of Anschluss law, Department of State PRESS RELEASES, March 19, 1938, Vol. XIX, p 374.

April 16
British-Italian agreement signed, whereby Great Britain recognized the conquest of Ethiopia and Italy promised to withdraw all troops from Spain at the conclusion of the civil war. Great Britain, Foreign Office TREATY SERIES, No. 31 (1938)

April 27-29
Three day Anglo-French conference at London. Arrangement concluded whereby the British and French general staffs would collaborate more closely henceforth in military and naval defense. New York Times, April 29, 1938, p. 1; April 30, p. 1.

July 21
Chaco Peace Pact signed, ending the long conflict between Bolivia and Paraguay. Department of State PRESS RELEASES, July 23, 1938, Vol. XIX, p. 44.

September 15
Chamberlain-Hitler talks at Berchtesgaden. New York Times, September 16, 1938, p. 1.

September 22-23
Chamberlain-Hitler talks at Godesberg. New York Times, September 23, 1938, p. 1.; September 24, 1938, p. 1.

September 26
President Roosevelt appealed for peace directly to Hitler and President Benes. Department of State PRESS RELEASES, October 1, 1938, Vol. XIX, p 219.

September 29
Chamberlain, Daladier, Hitler and Mussolini signed Munich Pact. Great Britain, Cmd. 5848, FURTHER DOCUMENTS RESPECTING CZECHOSLOVAKIA, INCLUDING THE AGREEMENT CONCLUDED AT MUNICH ON SEPTEMBER 29, 1938, Miscellaneous No. 8 (1938)

September 30
Chamberlain-Hitler peace declaration signed. Great Britain, House of Commons PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES, Vol. 339, col. 49.

October 1-10
Sudeten areas occupied by Germany. See Great Britain, Cmd. 5848.

October 1
Czechoslovakia yielded to Poland. New York Times, October 2, 1938, p. 1.

October 2
Polish troops occupied the Teschen area. New York Times, October 3, 1938, p 1.

December 6
Franco-German peace declaration signed. New York Times, December 7, 1938, p. 1.
 

March 16
German Government officially proclaimed Bohemia and Moravia protectorates: Decree of March 16 of the Government of the Reich on the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. Department of State PRESS RELEASES, March 25, 1939, Vol. XX, p. 220. Slovakia taken over as a protectorate by Germany. New York Times, March 17, 1939, p. 1. Hungary announced annexation of Carpatho-Ukraine. New York Times, March 17, 1939, p. 1.

March 22
Memel ceded to Germany by Lithuania: Reunion complete with the signature at Berlin of a five-point non-aggression pact. New York Times, March 23, 1939, p. 4.

March 31
Prime Minister Chamberlain in the House of Commons announced a British and French pledge to come to the assistance of Poland with all the power at their command "in the event of any action which clearly threatened Polish independence and which the Polish Government accordingly considered it vital to resist with their national forces..." Great Britain, House of Commons PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES, Vol. 3e45, col. 2415.

April 1
Spanish civil war ended: "After having made prisoner and disarmed the Red Army, the National troops have attained their final military objective. In consequence, the civil war is over." CommuniquÇ by General Franco. The Times (London), April 3, 1939, p. 13.

April 6
Prime Minister Chamberlain announced in the House of Commons a Polish-British agreement, bringing into existence a triple alliance - France, Great Britain, and Poland. The agreement was a provisional mutual-aid pact, pending the elaboration of a formal treaty of alliance. Great Britain, House of Commons PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES, Vol. 345, col. 2996.

April 7
Italian troops invaded Albania. Great Britain, House of Commons PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES, Vol. 346, col. 6

April 13
Prime Minister Chamberlain made statement in House of Commons which guaranteed borders of Rumania and Greece: "...in the event of any action being taken which clearly threatened the independence of Greece or Rumania...His Majesty's Government would feel themselves bound at once to lend...all the support in their power." Similar assurances were given by France. Great Britain, House of Commons PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES, Vol. 346, col. 13.

April 14
Communication of President Roosevelt to Chancellor Hitler and Premier Mussolini: Plea for 10-year guaranty of peace. Department of State PRESS RELEASES, April 15, 1939, Vol. XX, p. 527

April 28
German note notified Great Britain of denunciation of the Naval Agreement of June 18, 1935. New York Times, April 29, 1939, p. 6. German note to Poland denounced the 10-year non-aggression treaty of January 26, 1934 between the two countries and requested the return of Danzig as well as an extraterritorial railway and highway connection to East Prussia. New York Times, April 29, 1939, p. 7.

July 26
United States gave notice of intention to abrogate its commercial treaty of 1911 with Japan in note from the Secretary of State to the Japanese Ambassador. Department of State BULLETIN, July 29, 1939, Vol. I, p. 81

August 23
German-U.S.S.R. non-aggression pact signed. Department of State BULLETIN, August 26, 1939, Vol. I, p. 172.

August 24
President Roosevelt sent appeals for peace to Chancellor Hitler, President Moscicki, and King Victor Emmanuel. Department of State BULLETIN, August 26, 1939, Vol. I, pp. 157- 159

August 25
Great Britain and Poland signed formal treaty of mutual assistance. Great Britain, Cmd. 6101, AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE POLISH GOVERNMENT, LONDON, August 25, 1939, Poland No. 1 (1939).

September 1
German troops invade Poland; Danzig joined Germany. New York Times, September 1, 1939, p. 1.

September 3
Great Britain declared a state of war existed with Germany. Great Britain, Cmd. 6106, DOCUMENTS CONCERNING GERMAN-POLISH RELATIONS AND THE OUTBREAK OF HOSTILITIES BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND GERMANY ON SEPTEMBER 3, 1939, MISCELLANEOUS No. 9, (1939), pp. 175, 178. France declared a state of war existed with Germany. JOURNAL OFFICIEL DE LA REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE, LOIS ET DECRETS, September 4, 1939, p 11086.

September 16
Soviet troops invaded Poland. New York Times, September 17, 1939, p. 1.

September 28
German-U.S.S.R. border and friendship treaty signed, resulting in partitioning of Poland. New York Times, September 29, 1939, p. 1. Estonian-U.S.S.R. 10-year mutual assistance pact signed at Moscow: Gave U.S.S.R. bases for aviation and artillery. Department of State BULLETIN, November 11, 1939, Vol. I, p. 543.

October 3
Declaration of Panama signed. Department of State BULLETIN, October 7, 1939, Vol. I, p. 331.

October 5
Latvian-U.S.S.R. 10-year mutual-assistance pact signed at Moscow. Department of State BULLETIN, November 11, 1939, Vol. I, p. 542.

October 10
Lithuanian-U.S.S.R. 15-year mutual-assistance treaty signed at Moscow. Department of State BULLETIN, December 16, 1939, Vol. I, p. 705

October 19
Anglo-French-Turkish 15-year mutual-assistance pact signed at Ankara. Department of State BULLETIN, November 11, 1939, Vol. I, p. 544

November 1
Polish Corridor, Posen, and Upper Silesia annexed by Germany. Department of State BULLETIN, November 4, 1939, p. 458

November 3
U.S.S.R. incorporated Polish Western Ukraine and Western White Russia. New York Times, November 4, 1939, p. 5.

November 4
United States Neutrality Act of 1939 approved. U.S. Statutes at Large, Vol. 54, pt. 1., p. 4.

November 21
German-Slovak treaty signed at Berlin, ceding to Slovakia 225 square miles of territory annexed by Poland in 1920, 1924, and 1938. New York Times, November 22, 1939, p. 8.

November 30
Soviet troops invaded Finland. Department of State BULLETIN, December 2, 1939, Vol. I, p. 610
 

April 8
Great Britain and France announced that three areas of Norwegian waters had been mined in the attempt to prevent shipment of Scandinavian ore to Germany. New York Times, April 8, 1940, p. 1

April 9
German troops invade Denmark. Department of State BULLETIN, April 13, 1940, Vol. II, p. 374. Germany attacked Norway. Department of State BULLETIN, April 13, 1940, Vol. II, p. 374.

April 17
Secretary of State Hull issued a formal statement declaring any change in status quo "would be prejudicial to the cause of stability, peace and security" in entire Pacific area. Department of State BULLETIN, April 20, 1940, Vol. II, p.411.

May 9-10
Germany invaded Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Department of State BULLETIN, May 11, 1940, Vol. II, p.485.

May 10
Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of Great Britain following resignation of Neville Chamberlain. New York Times, May 11, 1940, p. 1. British occupation of Iceland announced in London. New York Times, May 10, 1940, p. 1.

May 15
The Netherlands Army surrendered. New York Times, May 15, 1940, p. 1.

May 19
Chancellor Hitler issued a proclamation decreeing the re- incorporation into the Reich of Eupen, Malmedy, and Moresnet. New York Times, May 20, 1940, p. 1.

May 28
Belgian Army under King Leopold surrendered. New York Times, May 29, 1940, p. 1.

June 9
Norwegian high command ordered army to cease hostilities at midnight. New York Times, June 11, 1940, p. 16.

June 10
Italy declared war on Great Britain and France. New York Times, June 11, 1940, p. 2.

June 14
German troops enter Paris. New York Times, June 15, 1940, p. 1.

June 15
Soviet troops marched into Lithuania. New York Times, June 16, 1940, p. 1.

June 17
U.S.S.R. announced Estonia and Latvia had agreed to free passage of troops and to formation of new governments. New York Times, June 17, 1940, p. 1.

June 22
Franco-German armistice signed. New York Times, June 26, 1940, p. 4.

June 24
Franco-Italian armistice signed. New York Times, June 25, 1940, p. 1.

June 27
Rumania agreed to cede Bessarabia to U.S.S.R. New York Times, June 28, 1940, p. 1.

June 28
British Government recognizes Gen. Charles de Gaulle as leader of group to maintain French resistance. New York Times, June 29, 1940, p. 9.

July 3
British sank or seized major part of French fleet. Great Britain, House of Commons PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES, Vol. 362, col. 1043.

July 5
French Government of Marshal Petain broke off diplomatic relations with Great Britain as result of British attack on French warships at Oran. New York Times, July 6, 1940, p. 1.

July 18
British Prime Minister announced terms of a temporary agreement for stoppage of war supplies to China through Burma and Hong Kong. Great Britain, House of Commons PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES, Vol. 363, col. 399.

August 25
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania ratified U.S.S.R. incorporation. New York Times, August 27, 1940, p. 4.

September 2
United States-British note on lease of British bases in return for 50 United States destroyers. Department of State BULLETIN, September 7, 1940, Vol. III, p. 199; March 29, 1941, Vol. IV, p. 387.

September 7
Bulgarian-Rumanian agreement ceding the Dobrudja to Bulgaria signed at Craiova, Bulgaria. New York Times, September 8, 1940, p. 45.

September 22
Japanese-French agreement regarding concessions in Indochina to Japan. New York Times, September 23, 1940, p. 1.

September 27
German-Italian-Japanese 10-year military-economic alliance pact signed at Berlin. New York Times, September 28, 1940, p. 3.

October 28
Italy attacked Greece prior to expiration of ultimatum, creating state of war. New York Times, October 29, 1940, p. 1; Department of State BULLETIN, March 1, 1941, Vol. IV, p. 224;November 16 , 1940, Vol. III, p. 426

November 4
Spanish incorporation of international zone of Tangier. New York Times, November 5, 1940, p. 7.

November 20
Hungary signed protocol of adherence to Axis tripartite pact at Vienna. New York Times, November 21, 1940, p. 6.

November 23
Rumania signed protocol of adherence to Axis tripartite pact at Vienna. New York Times, November 24, 1940, p. 2.

November 24
Slovakia signed protocol of adherence to Axis tripartite pact at Berlin. New York Times, November 25, 1940, p. 1.

November 26
Governor-General of Belgian Congo declared state of war with Italy. New York Times, November 27, 1940, p. 4.

November 30
Japanese peace treaty signed with the Wang Ching-wei regime at Nanking, China. New York Times, December 1, 1940, p. 5.; China Weekly Review (Shanghai), December 7, 1940, pp. 8, 24.

December 6
Japanese-Thai pact of amity signed. New York Times, December 12, 1940, p. 10.

December 12
Hungarian-Yugoslav treaty of friendship signed. New York Times, December 13, 1940, p. 5.
 

January 30
French Indochinese-Thai armistice signed at Saigon. New York Times, February 3, 1941, p. 5.

February 10
Great Britain severed diplomatic relations with Rumania. New York Times, February 11, 1941, p. 1.

February 17
Bulgarian-Turkish declaration of non-aggression signed at Ankara. New York Times, February 18, 1941, p. 4.

March 1
Bulgaria signed protocol of adherence to Axis tripartite pact at Vienna; German troops occupied Bulgaria. New York Times, March 2, 1941, p. 38.

March 5
Great Britain severed diplomatic relations with Bulgaria. New York Times, March 6, 1941, p. 2.

March 11
Lend-Lease Act approved by U.S. President, Public Law 11, 77th Congress.

March 12
Thai-Soviet exchange of notes establishing diplomatic relations. New York Times, March 13, 1941, p. 6.

March 24
Turkish-Soviet communiquÇ promising neutrality if either should be attacked. New York Times, March 25, 1941, p. 5.

March 25
Yugoslavia signed protocol of adherence to the Axis tripartite pact at Vienna. New York Times, March 26, 1941, p. 3. German war zone extended beyond Iceland. New York Times, March 26, 1941, p. 1.

March 27
Anti-Axis coup d'Çtat in Yugoslavia. New York Times, March 28, 1941, pp. 1, 6.

April 3
Pro-Nazi coup d'etat in Iraq. New York Times, April 5, 1941, p. 2.

April 5
Yugoslav-Soviet treaty of friendship and non-aggression signed at Moscow. New York Times, April 6, 1941, pp. 1, 25.

April 6
Germany attacked Yugoslavia and Greece; Hitler declared war on Yugoslavia. New York Times, April 6, 1941, pp. 1, 26.

April 7
Great Britain severed diplomatic relations with Hungary New York Times, April 8, 1941, p. 1.

April 9
United States-Danish agreement relating to defense of Greenland by the United States. Department of State BULLETIN, April 12, 1941, Vol. IV, pp. 443, 445.

April 10
President Roosevelt's proclamation modifying the Red Sea combat zone.

April 13
Japanese-Soviet five-year neutrality pact signed at Moscow, together with joint declaration regarding the frontiers of the Japanese protectorate at Manchukuo. New York Times, April 14, 1941, p. 8.

April 15
Bulgaria severed diplomatic relations with Yugoslavia. New York Times, April 16, 1941, p. 3.

April 17
Yugoslav army surrendered. New York Times, April 18, 1941, p. 1.

April 23
Greece severed diplomatic relations with Bulgaria following invasion with latter. New York Times, April 24, 1941, p. 3.

April 24
Bulgarian declaration of a state of war in its occupied areas of Greece and Yugoslavia. New York Times, April 25, 1941, p. 5.

April 27
German troops occupied Athens. New York Times, April 28, 1941, p. 1.

May 2
British-Iraqi fighting began in Iraq. New York Times, May 3, 1941, p. 1;May 4, 1941, p. 46.

May 6
Joseph Stalin became Soviet Premier. New York Times, May 7, 1941, p. 1.

May 9
French Indochinese-Thai peace treaty signed at Tokyo, with Japanese guaranty of new borders. New York Times, May 9, 1941, p. 8.

May 14
German proclamation of Red Sea danger zone. New York Times, May 14, 1941, p. 1.

May 15
Italian communique on the Croatian monarchy. New York Times, May 16, 1941, p. 6. Marshal Petain at Vichy announce replacement of Franco-German armistice agreement by a new collaboration scheme. New York Times, May 16, 1941, p. 1.

May 16
Iceland severed personal union with Denmark. New York Times, May 20, 1941, p. 11; May 21. p. 2. Iraqi-Soviet exchange of notes at Ankara establishing diplomatic relations, etc. New York Times, May 18, 1941, p. 6.

May 21
United States announcement o f German request that foreign diplomatic agents in Paris evacuate by June 10. New York Times, May 22, 1941, p. 1. Sinking of the S.S. Robin Moor, by German submarine in Atlantic Ocean. Department of State BULLETIN, June 21, 1941, Vol. IV, p. 741.

May 27
President Roosevelt's proclamation of unlimited national emergency. Department of State BULLETIN, May 31, 1941, Vol. IV, p. 654.

May 31
British-Iraqi armistice signed at Baghdad. New York Times, June 1, 1941, p. 1.

June 2
United States statement of policy respecting French possession in the Western Hemisphere. Department of State BULLETIN, June 14, 1941, Vol. IV, p. 720.

June 6
Act authorizing acquisition of idle foreign merchant ships by the United States approved. Department of State BULLETIN, June 7, 1941, Vol. IV, p. 701.

June 8
British and Free French troops entered French Syria and Lebanon. New York Times, June 8, 1941, p. 1; June 9, p. 4.

June 15
Croatia signed Axis protocol respecting its interests. New York Times, June 16, 1941, p. 3.

June 18
German-Turkish 10-year friendship pact signed at Ankara. New York Times, June 19, 1941, p. 4.

June 19
Germany and Italy requested United States consular staffs to evacuate territories under their control by July 15, following United States request of June 16 for German consular evacuation by July 10. New York Times, June 20, 1941, p. 1, 6; Department of State BULLETIN, June 21, 1941, Vol. IV, p. 743.

June 22
Germany invaded Soviet Union; the latter raided Finland; Hitler's speech and Ribbentrop's statement on declaration of war against Soviet Union. New York Times, June 23, 1941, p. 1, 4. Italy declared war on Soviet Union. New York Times, June 23, 1941, p. 5. Rumanians entered Bessarabia to regain it. New York Times, June 23, 1941, p. 7. Slovakia severed diplomatic relations with Soviet Union. New York Times, June 23, 1941, p. 5.

June 26
Finland announced state of war with Soviet Union. New York Times, June 27, 1941, p. 1.

June 27
Denmark severed diplomatic relations with Soviet Union. New York Times, June 28, 1941, p. 2. Hungary declared war on Soviet Union following latter's air raids. New York Times, June 28, 1941, p. 2.

June 28
Albania announced state of war with Soviet Union. New York Times, June 29, 1941, p. 3.

June 30
France (Vichy) severed diplomatic relations with Soviet Union. New York Times, July 1, 1941, p. 6.

July 1
Icelandic-United States exchange of letter respecting defense of Iceland. Department of State BULLETIN, July 12, 1941, Vol. IV, p. 16-18.

July 3
Denmark announced request for United States consular staffs to evacuate by July 15. New York Times, July 4, 1941, p. 4.

July 12
British-Soviet mutual-assistance agreement signed at Moscow Department of State BULLETIN, September 27, 1941, Vol. IV, p.240.

July 14
British-French Syria-Lebanon armistice signed at Acre, Palestine. New York Times, July 16, 1941, p. 4: July 17, p. 3.

July 26
British notice of denunciation of commercial agreements with Japan. New York Times, July 27, 1941, p. 13.

July 30
Polish-Soviet agreement of cooperation signed at London. New York Times, July 31, 1941, p. 4. United States recognized Czechoslovak government-in-exile at London. Department of State BULLETIN, August 2, 1941, Vol. IV, p.88.

August 2
United States-Soviet exchange of notes respecting economic assistance. Department of State BULLETIN, August 9, 1941, Vol. IV, pp. 109, 115.

August 12
British-Soviet declaration of aid to Turkey if attacked by European power. New York Times, August 13, 1941, p. 1, 3.

August 14
Joint declaration by President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill i Atlantic Charter. Department of State Bulletin, August 16, 1941,Vol. V, p. 125.

August 25
British-Soviet troops invaded Iran. New York Times, Aug. 26,1941, pp. 1,4.

September 9
Iran accepted British-Soviet armistice. New York Times, September 10, 1941, p. 8.

September 11
President Roosevelt announced shoot-on-sight order to United States Navy in America defense waters, following U.S.S. Greer incident of September 4. Department of State Bulletin, September 13, 1941, Vol. V, p 193.

September 14
Iran ordered departure of Axis diplomats. New York Times, September 15, 1941, p. 8.

October 16
Successful conclusion of Manchukuo-Outer Mongolia border talks at Harbin. New York Times, November 3, 1941, p. 5.

October 19
Afghanistan consented to British-Soviet request for ejection of Axis nationals. New York Times, October 20, 1941, p. 6.

November 17
Joint resolution to repeal sections 2, 3, and 6 of the Neutrality Act of 1939 approved.

November 24
United States announced occupation of Dutch Guiana (Surinam) in agreement with the Netherlands and Brazil. Department of State Bulletin, November 29, 1941, Vol. V, p. 425. United States revocation of export licenses to French North Africa, Spain, and Tangier. New York Times, November 27, 1941, pp. 1,7.

November 25
Renewal for five years of the Anti-Comintern Pact of November 25, 1936 at Berlin, by Germany, Japan, Italy, Hungary, Spain, Manchukuo, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Rumania, Slovakia, and the Nanking regime in China. New York Times, November 26, 1941, p. 12.

December 1
Reaffirmation by Marshals Petain and Goering of Franco-German collaboration at St. Florentine. New York Times, December 2, 1941, p. 1.

December 6
President Roosevelt's message to the Japanese Emperor on the Pacific conversations. New York Times, December 8, 1941, p. 8. British declaration of war against Finland, Hungary, and Rumania. New York Times, December 7, 1941, p. 19.

December 7 (Dec. 8, 6 A.M. Tokyo time)
Japan attacked the United States and Great Britain and occupied the International Settlement at Shanghai. New York Times, December 8, 1941, p. 1, 4; December 9, p. 14.

December 7
Japanese reply rejecting United States note of November 26, delivered at Washington. New York Times, December 8, 1941, p. 6. Japan declared a state of war with the United States and Great Britain. New York Times, December 9, 1941, p. 28. Declaration of war by Netherlands East Indies and Canada against Japan. New York Times, December 8, 1941, p. 1;(late edition) p. 14.

December 8
British declared war against Japan. New York Times, December 9, 1941, p. 14. United States declared by joint resolution a state of war with Japan. New York Times, December 9, 1941, p. 5. Japan invaded Thailand, which capitulated. New York Times, December 9, 1941, p. 10. Declarations of war against Japan by Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands, the Free French, and Panama. New York Times, December 9, 1941, p. 18, 22; December 10, p. 13 Severance of diplomatic relations with Japan by Mexico, Colombia, Belgium, and Egypt. New York Times, December 9, 1941, pp. 18, 22.

December 9
Declarations of war against Japan announced by Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand; also against Japan, Germany, and Italy by China. New York Times (late edition), December 10, 1941, pp. 4, 8. Costa Rica declared war against Japan. Department of State BULLETIN, December 13, 1941, Vol. V, p.490.

December 10
Cuba declared war against Japan. New York Times (late edition), December 11, 1941, p. 13.

December 11
Germany and Italy declared a state of war with the United States. New York Times, December 12, 1941, p. 1. United States declared by joint resolutions a state of war with Germany and Italy. New York Times, December 12, 1941, p. 1. Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic declared war against Germany and Italy. Department of State BULLETIN, December 13, 1941, Vol. V, pp. 485-504 passim; New York Times, December 12, 1941, p. 9. Poland declared a state of war with Japan. Department of State BULLETIN, December 13, 1941, Vol. IV, p.507. Mexico severed diplomatic relations with Germany and Italy. New York Times, December 12, 1941, p. 9.

December 12
Haiti, Panama, and Honduras declared war against Germany and Italy. Department of State BULLETIN, December 13 , 1941, Vol. V, pp. 495-504 passim. Rumania declared a state of war with the United States. Ibid., p. 483.

December 13
El Salvador declared war against Germany and Italy. Ibid., p. 493. Hungary declared a state of war with the United States. Ibid., p. 482. Bulgaria declared a state of war against the United States and the United Kingdom. Ibid., p. 483.