On June 6th, 1944, the course of World War II was forever altered with the launch of Operation Overlord, codenamed D-Day. This massive amphibious invasion saw Allied forces land on the beaches of Normandy, France, in a daring attempt to liberate Western Europe from Nazi occupation. The largest seaborne invasion in history, D-Day involved over 150,000 troops from the United States, Britain, Canada, and other Allied nations. Paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines in the early hours, while naval forces bombarded the coast. Troops then stormed five heavily fortified beaches – Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword – facing fierce resistance from German defenders. Despite heavy casualties, particularly on Omaha Beach, the Allies managed to secure a foothold on French soil. D-Day marked a turning point in the war. The successful invasion opened a new front in Western Europe, forcing the German army to fight on multiple fronts and ultimately leading to their defeat.
