[Vermont Lt]

And if you consider the Japanese invasions of China, the war started years ago from this date in 1940.

This thing did not start overnight. I know YOU know that, but others might want to think back to around the time of 9/11 s the starting dates. And consider that the US would still be out of the direct war until NEXT December, and then not fully engaged for another six months or so from that date.

[CougarGA7]

There are definitely many schools of thought on when to mark the beginning of World War II. Many of them make compelling arguments to the fact and it really comes down to the individuals interpretation.

• 28 June 1914 - Archduke Ferdinand is assassinated igniting World War I, World War II is really just an extention of the First World War.

• 18 September 1931 - The Mukden Incident leads to the Japanese invasion and occupation of Manchuria.

• 7 July 1937 - The beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War

• 12 March 1938 - The annexation of Austria beginning Hitler's series of conquests.

• 1 September 1939 - The invasion of Poland.

• 3 September 1939 - The day that the western powers declared war on Germany.

• 7 December 1941 - The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

  I'm sure there are others too that some could debate, these are just the ones off the top of my head.