22 June

Germany invades the Soviet Union. In a radio speech, Adolf Hitler says that Finland is fighting alongside Germany. The Finnish government is trying to convince the world that Finland remains neutral.

25 June

The Soviet air force bombs 19 Finnish towns. In his radio speech next day, President Risto Ryti says that Finland has been dragged into a war. The Continuation War begins.

29 August

Finnish troops liberate Vyborg.

1 October

Finnish troops capture Petrozavodsk, the capital of the Karelian-Finnish Socialist Soviet Republic. The town is given a new Finnish name, Äänislinna.

6 December

Pressured by the Soviet Union, Great Britain declares war on Finland.