World War II Chronology 1939

September
1. Germany invades Poland, starting war.
3. Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand declare war.
8. President Roosevelt issues Emergency Proclamation, authorizing expansion of Army and National Guard.
10. Canada declares war on Germany.
17. Soviet Union occupies east Poland.
27. Warsaw surrenders to Germans.
28. Germany and Soviet Union agree to partition Poland.
29. Estonia forced to accept Soviet military protection.

October
2. Pan American Conference sets up safety zone extending 300 miles from coasts of all American Republics.
5. Latvia forced to accept Soviet military protection.
10. Lithuania forced to accept Soviet military protection.
14. Soviet Union demands bases from Finland. U-boat sinks British battleship Royal Oak in Scapa Flow harbor.
19. Turkey signs mutual aid pact with France, Britain.

November
4. Roosevelt signs Neutrality Act, repealing arms embargo.
8. Hitler escapes bomb at Nazi rally.
30. Soviet Union invades Finland in undeclared war.

December
2. Soviet Union captures Petsamo, Finnish nickel port.
10. Soviet Union attacks Finnish Mannerheim Line.
14-Jan. 7. Finns defeat Soviets at Salla and Suomussalmi.
17. German crew scuttles Admiral Graf Spee after three British cruisers force it into harbor at Montevideo, Uruguay. First Canadian troops land in England.