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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.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1943</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Planning of Operation Overlord</div><div class='timeline-text'>The planning of Operation Overlord, the codename for the Battle of Normandy, began under the direction of General Dwight D. Eisenhower.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1944</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>D-Day Landings</div><div class='timeline-text'>On June 6, 1944, over 156,000 Allied troops invaded Normandy, marking the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany in WWII.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1944</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Liberation of Paris</div><div class='timeline-text'>On August 25, 1944, the Allies completed their liberation of Paris, signifying a crucial victory following D-Day landings.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1945</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>End of WWII</div><div class='timeline-text'>World War II officially ended on September 2, 1945, with D-Day marking a pivotal turning point in this victory.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1956</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First D-Day Commemoration</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first major commemoration of D-Day took place, bringing veterans from both sides back to Normandy to remember the fallen.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2019</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>75th D-Day Anniversary</div><div class='timeline-text'>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.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a museum</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a reenactment</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch movies</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a memorial service</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Read books</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It commemorates a major historical event</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It symbolizes courage and strength</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It honors the sacrifice of brave soldiers</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Operation Overlord was delayed due to bad weather</h3><p class='facts-content'>Originally scheduled for June 5, 1944, the invasion was postponed by General Eisenhower due to poor weather conditions. They were only able to proceed on June 6th, owing to a brief break in the poor weather.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>D-Day involved remarkable feats of engineering</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Allies built two artificial harbors called "Mulberries," which were used to unload thousands of vehicles and supplies onto the beaches. The Mulberries demonstrated incredible feats of engineering and logistical planning.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Paratroopers used "cricket" devices to communicate</h3><p class='facts-content'>American paratroopers were equipped with small, handheld clickers, known as "crickets." These devices were used for communicating in the dark, and to identify friend from foe.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The invasion was far larger than just the beaches of Normandy</h3><p class='facts-content'>While the beach landings are the most iconic image of D-Day, the entire operation involved extensive aerial and naval bombardments, airborne landings, and supporting attacks to distract the Germans.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>D-Day planning involved an elaborate misinformation campaign</h3><p class='facts-content'>Known as Operation Fortitude, this deception plan misled the Germans as to the date and location of the main Allied landings. The Allies created a fictional "First United States Army Group" in Southeast England to suggest that they would invade via the shortest crossing from Britain to Europe at Pas de Calais.</p></div></div>
D-Day is celebrated on June 6 every year. In 2024 D-Day will occur on a Thursday.
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Tuesday
2024
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Thursday
2025
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2026
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