June 6, 1944 – Allied Invasion of Normandy, France – “D-Day”

On this day in history, the largest amphibious invasion in history was launched by WWII Allies. Over 160,000 troops landed, assisted by more than 5,000 ships, aerial bombardment, gliders and paratroopers. There were five invasion beaches: two American beaches: Utah and Omaha, and three British or Canadian beaches: Gold, Juno and Sword. The invasion succeeded and troops began to push German forces eastward, eventually leading to the Allied victory in 1945.

U.S. infantrymen wade toward Omaha Beach on D-Day; credit: U.S. Coast Guard/National Archives, Washington, D.C.