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D-Day

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

Saturday

June 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEJune 6

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYCulture

SUBCATEGORYCivics

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

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.

TIMELINE

D-Day Timeline

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.

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.

Liberation of Paris

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

End of WWII

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

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.

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.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate D-Day

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.

ATTEND

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.

WATCH

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.

ORGANIZE

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.

READ

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 THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love D-Day

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.

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.

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