June 6

D-Day

Honor D-Day and the brave soldiers who fought for freedom with a moment of silence and reflection today.

Yearly Date

June 6

Observed in

Introduction

June 6 marks the anniversary of D-Day, a historic event that changed the course of World War II. On this day in 1944, Allied forces launched a huge amphibious invasion which became known as the Normandy Landings. This daring mission marked the beginning of a long and arduous process to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. It was one of the largest and most ambitious military operations ever undertaken, with over 156,000 troops participating in the landings. Today we commemorate this brave endeavor and celebrate its success in bringing freedom and democracy to Europe.

D-Day Timeline

1943

Planning of Operation Overlord

The planning of Operation Overlord, the codename for the Battle of Normandy, began under the direction of General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

1944

D-Day Landings

On June 6, 1944, over 156,000 Allied troops invaded Normandy, marking the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany in WWII.

1944

Liberation of Paris

On August 25, 1944, the Allies completed their liberation of Paris, signifying a crucial victory following D-Day landings.

1945

End of WWII

World War II officially ended on September 2, 1945, with D-Day marking a pivotal turning point in this victory.

1956

First D-Day Commemoration

The first major commemoration of D-Day took place, bringing veterans from both sides back to Normandy to remember the fallen.

2019

75th D-Day Anniversary

The 75th anniversary D-Day commemorations marked significant milestones and an opportunity to pay respects to the dwindling numbers of veterans who survived the invasion.

How to Celebrate D-Day

1 Visit a museum

Visit a local museum dedicated to D-Day. You'll learn all about the history of the event and have the opportunity to view artifacts from the day.

2 Attend a reenactment

Attend a reenactment of D-Day for an immersive experience. Organizations such as The National WWII Museum in New Orleans hold large scale events with reenactors from all over the country.

3 Watch movies

Watching movies about D-Day is a great way to learn more about the event. Classics such as Saving Private Ryan, The Longest Day, and A Bridge Too Far are all excellent starting points.

4 Organize a memorial service

Organize a memorial service to honor fallen soldiers from D-Day. This can be as simple as gathering at a local cemetery or as elaborate as visiting historic battle sites.

5 Read books

Reading books about D-Day is a great way to understand and appreciate what happened on this important day in history. There are many excellent books written by historians and veterans alike that provide insight into the events of June 6th, 1944.

Why We Love D-Day

It commemorates a major historical event

D-Day is a day to remember and honor the Allied Forces who took part in the June 6th 1944 invasion of Normandy, France during World War II. It was one of the greatest invasions in all of history, and so it's an important event to commemorate each year.

It symbolizes courage and strength

D-Day is a reminder of the incredible courage that was shown by those who participated in the invasion. The bravery and determination shows us that even when faced with great odds or danger, we must strive to do what is right and just.

It honors the sacrifice of brave soldiers

Every year on D-Day we are reminded of the ultimate sacrifices made by those brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. We should always be grateful for those who served in this momentous battle 75 years ago and use this opportunity to remind ourselves of its importance.