United States Marks Anniversary of D-Day

It was one of the most decisive events of World War II. On June 6, 1944, Allied forces crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of Normandy. The Allied invasion marked the beginning of the end for Adolf Hitler and Nazi control of Europe.

The invasion, known Operation Overlord, involved an armada of sea vessels that transported 176,000 troops across the channel from England to France. According to the History Channel, 6,000 landing craft, ships and other vessels took part in the invasion. Roughly 13,000 aircraft provided air cover and support.

Despite heavy losses, the Allies prevailed and, by the end of the day, held the heavily-fortified beaches. The U.S. Army lists the number of men killed and wounded as 9,000 but more than 100,000 were able to continue the march across Nazi-occupied Europe and defeat Hitler and his forces.

Click here for a slideshow of D-Day photos on the United States Army website.

Click here to listen to an address by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower prior to the invasion.

From the address:

The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.