World war 2: The deadliest conflict in human history ended 81 years ago today

The Second World War, widely regarded as the deadliest conflict in human history, ended 81 years ago on September 2, 1945. An estimated 70 million to 85 million people, including civilians and military personnel, died in the war. More than 30 countries were involved in the conflict, which was fought across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific.Germany, Italy and Japan formed the Axis powers, while Britain, the Soviet Union, the United States, China and France were among the major Allied powers.The war in Europe began on September 1, 1939, when Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later. Adolf Hitler's regime pursued territorial expansion and sought German dominance across Europe.Germany went on to occupy large parts of western Europe before invading the Soviet Union in June 1941. Japan was also expanding across Asia and had been fighting China since 1937.