At dawn on June 6, 1944 Allied troops started their amphibious assault of France's Normandy coastline. It was the beginning of the Allies invasion of German occupied France. Over a 100,000 men, and a 1000 ships were involved in the operation. The German forces occupying Normandy offered heavy resistance. The battle that ensued was one of the bloodiest of World War II. Eventually, the Allies prevailed, establishing a permanent beachhead for landing troops, and marking the beginning of Germany's defeat in the European Theater of the War.

In order to keep the time, date, and place of the invasion secret from German Intelligence, allied military planners referred to the operation as D Day. Since World War II, the anniversary of the Normandy invasion, June 6th has been named as D Day.

Though not an official holiday, D Day is observed as an important historic anniversary in countries whose troops participated including Canada, Great Britain, France, and the United States. On D Day memorial services are held on both sides of the Atlantic to remember those who died during the invasion.

Other historic observances associated with Word War II include Pearl Harbor Day, V-E Day, and V-J Day.

Note: This holiday is one of Calendar Mine's over 500 built-in observances.

See Also

Holiday Catalogue

American (USA) Observances